Dear SDCCE Community,
As we enter the final week of October, the holiday season is quickly approaching, and we are reaching a critical point in the semester. This is an important time to remain focused on student success, ensuring our students have the support, resources, and encouragement they need to continue progressing toward their goals. Additionally, as we continue our conversations and preparations surrounding ICE protocols, the safety, well-being, and sense of belonging of our students and employees remain our highest priorities. Through continued communication, collaboration, and preparation, we are working together to ensure our community feels informed, supported, and prepared.
Please continue reading for this week's updates and important announcements.
Enrollment Updates:
Fall Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for fall stands at 24,563 (a1% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 67%, which is less than last fall (69%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 12,836, a 1% increase from last week (12,764). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 8% greater than last fall (198.46 to 215.30). View report.
Connect with the President:
I'm excited to continue offering the opportunity to Walk with the President! If you'd rather take a stroll around the Educational Cultural Complex instead of a Zoom meeting, join me for a refreshing walk as we continue to prioritize wellness. Don't forget to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Individual walks or zoom meetings will be 20 minutes and are available on a first come first-served basis. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please email [email protected] for detailed information.
Lastly, you can utilize the anonymous sharing box. Your voice matters, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
ICE Protocol Q&A Webinar
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's ICE Protocol Q&A Session Webinar. A follow-up email containing frequently asked questions and the webinar recording will be shared soon. As an additional reminder, employees may pick up whistles from their campus COS. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the supervisors, managers, and deans who are leading department trainings in preparation for our November 4 Shelter-in-Place Drill. Your leadership and commitment to preparedness are essential to keeping our community informed and safe. Lastly, a special shout out to our Administrative Services team who came together to ensure our webinar ran smoothly behind the scenes!
Groundbreaking Ceremony
We are thrilled to invite you to the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Educational Cultural Complex Ceramics Studio Renovation taking place this week. This project is supported and funded by Measure HH. This exciting project is a significant step forward in enhancing and investing in student learning, creativity, safety, program capacity, and the future of arts education.
Save the Date!
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Educational Cultural Complex (Patio between B & C Buildings)
4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Please join us as we celebrate the start of this remarkable project. The ceremony will feature special guests, inspiring speeches, a ceramics student showcase/fundraiser (cash only), and a glimpse into the future of this important arts space.
RSVP Today:
To help us prepare for the event, please RSVP via Eventbrite:
https://SDCCECeramics2026.eventbrite.com
We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!
Show Us Your Halloween Spirit!
Are you celebrating Halloween in your classroom, office, or department? We'd love to see how you're bringing the spooky season to life across SDCCE!
Share your festive decorations, creative costumes, and Halloween fun by sending your photos to [email protected] on October 31st for a chance to be featured in our college communications.
Let's show off our SDCCE spirit and celebrate the season together!
Filipino American History Month Celebration
Our Filipino American History Month Celebration on Thursday, October 22, at the Harbor View Campus was a great success!
This special celebration featured poetry readings by Dominique Gil and Liana Ordoñez, group fitness with Arbie in Motion, and delicious Filipino food provided by Company Kitchen. A special thank you to Liza Blevins and the entire Culture Events Task Force for putting on a wonderful event for our community to celebrate Filipino American culture and heritage, enjoy engaging activities, and connect with one another. View additional event photos.
Undocumented Student Success Week
Undocumented Student Success Week took place October 19-23rd, creating space to connect, learn, and remind our undocumented students that they are seen, valued, and supported at SDCCE. There will be one final event this week in collaboration with San Diego City College, Uprise Theatre, and AFT.
Wednesday, October 28, 9:35 to 11 a.m. | Legally Brown: A Queer Chicana's Take on
the Law
This presentation explores the law as a catalyst for social justice through a marginalized
perspective, centering leadership and activism while inspiring students and community
members to create meaningful change.
CalFresh Workshops
SDCCE CARES Basic Needs is hosting it's final CalFresh Workshop this month to help students learn about CalFresh eligibility, ask questions, and receive support with the application process. Free snacks will be provided!
Wednesday, October 28 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Harbor View Campus, Room 208
Space is limited to 35 participants per workshop. RSVP using the QR code on the flyer. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability.
Questions or accommodations: [email protected]
LGBTQIA+ History Month
Join the LGBTQIA+ Student Success Program for a movie premiere featuring Slay on October
29th at the Mid City campus, room 117, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch and refreshments
will be served, and costumes are encouraged!
For questions contact [email protected]
Help Us Pack the Pantry!
There is one week left to help us Pack the Pantry! We've partnered with Cal Coast Credit Union and the San Diego Food Bank to provide healthy, nutritious meals to students who need them most. Every $1 donated = 2 meals for a student in need. Let's come together to fight hunger and fuel futures.
Make a difference today, visit our virtual pantry to donate.
CE MediaFest 2026
CE MediaFest 2026 kicked off last week at West City and Mid-City Campuses! To cultivate culture amongst all 7 of our campuses and celebrate the hard work of all our faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and NANCE, the Office of Communications & Creative Services will be providing free headshots, program promotional videos, opportunity drawings, social media FAQ, and more!
Please see the following lineup for when they will visit each remaining campus:
- Harbor View Campus - October 27th - 12:00PM to 2:00PM - MPR
- North City Campus - October 28th - 4:00PM to 6:00PM - MPR
- CE Mesa Campus - November 3rd - 12:30PM to 2:30PM - Room 118/120
- ECC Campus - November 4th - 10:00AM - 12:00PM - Room 76
- CE Miramar - November 5th - 12:30PM - 2:30PM - Room A102
For any questions, details, or inquiries, please email Brenna Leon Sandeford at [email protected] & Michael Escalona at [email protected], or call us at 619-388-4833
SDCCE Safety Series
Join us for the SDCCE Safety Series, a collection of trainings designed to strengthen safety, preparedness, and awareness across our campuses. Registration is required, and Flex credit is available.
Upcoming trainings:
Hands-Only CPR & AED Training — October 28
Learn basic CPR, how to respond to cardiac emergencies, and how to use an AED.
Visit the SDCCE Campus Safety Page for registration, training details, and additional safety resources. Please email Anthony Vargas or Jasmine Duran with any questions or call 619-388-4915.
Chancellor's Fall Forum
Join us for an open conversation with Chancellor Smith about the issues that matter to you and our District.
Monday, October 26, 2026
3 to 5 p.m.
North City Campus, Room 101
Flex credit is available: #40203
Bring your questions, perspectives, and ideas as we come together for meaningful conversation and community dialogue.
SDCCD Fall Town Hall
Join Chancellor Smith for a thoughtful conversation on the mental health and well-being of students and employees during challenging social times. Explore the impact of today's social climate, discover resources and strategies for resilience, and discuss ways to foster compassion, connection, and support across our District.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
College of Continuing Education
North City Campus, Room 101
8355 Aero Dr, San Diego, CA 92123
College Flex #35842
Continuing Education Flex #40423
Unable to attend in person? Watch online on our District YouTube Channel
Disability Belongs at SDCCD Training
The new Disability Belongs at SDCCD, is a self-paced Canvas course developed by Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) in partnership with People, Culture and Technology Services (PCTS). The training is designed to help SDCCD employees understand their role in supporting student access across our District. Whether you work directly with students or support the district in another capacity, this training offers an opportunity to strengthen our collective understanding of disability access and belonging.
- New SDCCD employees: This training will become part of your onboarding beginning in the 2026–27 academic year.
- Current employees: Participation is voluntary and you may earn Flex credit for completing the course.
For questions about:
- Course completion: Contact Professional Development at [email protected]
- Course content or your role in supporting student access: Reach out to your DSPS Office.
- General Course Access Issues- Cannot find, log in to, or open the Canvas course: Submit a Canvas Support Ticket
- Accessibility Barriers- Difficulty using the course with assistive technology: Contact Devika Chhabra at [email protected]
ECC Theatre Renovation
The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress!
- The construction site is active Monday - Friday, 7am - 3:30pm.
- Check out the demolition of the second level deck on the live stream link: ECC Theatre Renovation.
- SDCCD Measure HH, SDCCE, architects, and construction teams met to discuss ECC Theatre construction updates, upcoming construction schedules, and shared progress photos.
- Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date with the progress via livestream.
Thank you to our Theatre Director, Silvia Nogales, for playing a pivotal role in the theatre renovation and for keeping us informed on its progress. You can now follow the theatre on Facebook and Instagram @Educational Cultural Complex Theatre & Community Room.
Bond Projects Update
The current Measure HH Bond projects for our college continue to make progress. We have also developed a current projects page with updates on each project and the SDCCD Measure HH webpage has further updates.
- A new Miramar College Measure HH project will begin in November impacting the CE Miramar Campus, A1 building. The project involves improvements to the fire land surrounding the area around the Aviation and Continuing Education (A1) buildings. Alternate routes of travel and parking have been identified and more signage will be posted in the area notifying students, employees, and visitors.
- As a secondary impact improvement project to the ECC Building Trades Training Center, to provide more space to the welding project, the grounds team and facilities office will be relocated to a new building location at ECC, at the corner of Elizabeth and Ocean view Blvd.
- The sidewalk improvement project at ECC was completed last week, with a final punch walk scheduled for this Wednesday, October 28 to review any remaining corrections before the project can be officially marked as complete. Thank you for your patience as we made these important safety and accessibility improvements to the sidewalks.
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates:
We have a dedicated webpage with Know Your Rights Information, District protocols, resources, and more curated by our Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force. Additionally, the Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Priorities for 2026-2027 are available for review.
Thank you to Vice President Carter for sending out two important emails on October 20 and October 22 regarding Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging and Student Immigration Detention Reporting and Procedures.
Please take a moment to review the safety cards for navigating ICE incidents on campus. These resources are designed to guide employees on the steps for reporting.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week's Classified Professional Spotlight shines on Carmen Martinez, Administrative Assistant for the SDCCE Facilities Department.
Carmen began her journey with the District in 2004 at City College as a NANCE employee in Facilities and was officially hired in 2008. With 21 years of experience in the department, including her time as a NANCE employee, Carmen has dedicated herself to supporting the college community.
What she enjoys most about her role is connecting with people and helping others. Whether she's assisting vendors, staff, students, or the Facilities maintenance team, Carmen brings a people-first approach to her work. Her personal motto says it all: "If I'm able to help, I will help."
Outside of work, Carmen loves spending quality time with her family and watching a good Hallmark movie.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on new CalWORKs - ISSP Counselor, Angie Sanchez-Castillo.
Angie brings a wealth of experience supporting first-generation, immigrant, and other historically underserved students through counseling, academic guidance, and connections to essential resources. Her work is rooted in a commitment to helping students navigate their educational journeys and access the opportunities they need to succeed.
Angie holds a Master of Science in Educational Counseling from National University and is a proud San Diego City College alumna and former EOPS student. Her professional experience includes serving as an Academic Counselor at National University, completing an internship with SDCCE CalWORKs, working as an adjunct counselor with CalWORKs and the Immigrant Student Support Program, and serving as an EOPS counselor at Cuyamaca College.
As a first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrants, Angie brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her work. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she values cultural humility, community, and student-centered support that empowers students to recognize their strengths and navigate the resources available to them.
Manager Spotlight
This week's Manager Spotlight shines on Alonzo Pishyar, Director of College Technology Services.
Alonzo brings more than two decades of experience supporting technology at the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). He began supporting the district in 2004 through SunGard Higher Education and joined the district directly in 2010. After approximately 20 years as a Network Specialist, he stepped into his current leadership role as SDCCE's Director of College Technology Services in 2025, overseeing technology needs across the college's seven campuses.
What Alonzo enjoys most about his work is solving complex problems and helping people use technology with confidence. He finds it especially rewarding to see how technology enhances student learning and supports faculty and staff in their daily work. His priorities include modernizing classroom technology, strengthening technology support, and establishing consistent procedures that help the college operate effectively.
Alonzo also considers it an honor to support the vision and goals of the President and Cabinet, aligning College Technology Services with institutional priorities and advancing SDCCE's mission.
Outside of work, Alonzo enjoys cooking, swimming, working out at the gym, and traveling to explore new places.
Resources and Reminders
- Do you know an employee making a difference at SDCCE? Help us recognize those outstanding contributions by submitting an Employee Spotlight ! Selected spotlights will be featured in future editions of the weekly President's Message and other college communications as we celebrate the people who make SDCCE an exceptional place to learn and work.
- Visit the Administrative Services Intranet to access campus safety resources and stay informed with the latest updates.
- A reminder that all requests of the Communications Department must be approved by a dean or vice president and requires submission of a request form. You can find the Project Request Form link on the Faculty and Staff Resources Page of our website. Allow ten working days for a request to be completed. If a request needs immediate attention, please complete the form and contact the Public Information Officer.
President's Updates:
Tomorrow, October 27 is Keeping The Promise Giving Day. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the San Diego Promise, we have an opportunity not only to keep that promise, but to strengthen it for the next generation — so even more students can access the life-changing power of education. I invite you all to join your colleagues on this Giving Day, and help power the next decade of Promise. SDCCE students who transition to City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges and our Promise eligible, directly benefit from your generous contributions.
I am excited to visit all 7 campuses this week with the leadership team to deliver our "Boo Baskets" and spread a little Halloween cheer throughout our SDCCE community. From festive treats to fun surprises, we're ready to make the rounds, share some Halloween cheer, and add a little extra spirit to each campus.
The Research Corner:
This week, we invite you to read a factsheet "College Access in California" by Public Policy Institute of California, according to which California's community colleges are a key entry point to higher education. In fall 2025, students transferring from community colleges made up 26% of new enrollees at UC and 41% at CSU. The factsheet may be found on the following link. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
