Dear SDCCE Community,

I am thrilled to share that the noncredit advocacy efforts initiated at the Vision 2030: A Call to Action Adult Education Summit in 2023 continue to make significant progress today! Shortly after the Adult Education Summit, we were able to get AB 634 passed which updated the definition of certain noncredit courses; specifically, Career Development and College Preparation (CDCP) courses. This bill was authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (78th Assembly District). We have remained steadfast in our advocacy to recognize the immense value of noncredit education and the transformative impact it has on students’ lives. That’s why we are dedicated to ensuring that noncredit students have equitable access to all relevant funding streams, including categorical programs designed to promote student equity, veterans resource centers, provide mental health services, assist students with disabilities, and ensure access to technology. Furthermore, another Assembly Bill is on its way, which will further benefit noncredit students and categorical funding, with the strong support of Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins (79th Assembly District). This new bill will establish the definition for noncredit colleges and centers, and establish categorical funding to noncredit colleges! Stay tuned for the possibilities!

This information and other noncredit solutions are outlined in the document brief from the summit event.

Our advocacy will continue, and I am deeply grateful to all of you, as well as to SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith, for being such excellent collaborators in this important work for our most deserving students.

Additionally, the work of noncredit education and SDCCE was recently highlighted by California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian in a communication titled Noncredit Pathways to a Credential - California Community Colleges Supporting our Working Learners I encourage you to take a look at this recognition!

We will be hosting the next Adult Education Summit in 2026!

Enrollment Updates

SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 27,601 (4% more than this time last year, and a 0.5% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 76%, which is greater than last spring (67%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,535 a decrease of 0.3% compared to this time last spring (14,573) and a 1% increase from last week (14,357). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 3% greater than last spring (189.56 to 194.59). View report.

Join myself and the college leadership for our Third Annual Budget and Enrollment Management Symposium on Tuesday, February 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Educational Cultural Complex or via Zoom (Webinar ID: 84746744857)

Topics will include:

• A deep dive to college funding
• Resource allocation
• Enrollment trends and progress
• Strategic enrollment management updates

ACLU, "Know Your Rights" trainings are available to all College of Continuing Education students, employees, and community members. Sessions are virtual in both English and Spanish. Registration is now open for the ACLU Know Your Rights trainings.

Don’t miss out on one of our final Black History Month events!

Economic and Labor Resilience (Career Services and CalWORKs) on February 25, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Mid-City Campus.

Join us for a dynamic presentation on Economic & Labor Resilience, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of Black immigrants and their impact on economic empowerment, labor resilience, and community upliftment.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Cultural Events Task Force also invites you to participate in interactive Black History Month Bingo! This fun and educational event is designed to honor Black heritage and history, deepen our understanding of historical context, and spark meaningful discussions about modern issues. Plus, there will be fun prizes!

Wednesday, 2/26/2025 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
CE at Mesa, Room #116 | 7350 Armstrong Place, San Diego, CA 92111

Friday, 2/28/2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
West City, Lobby | 3249 Fordham, San Diego, CA 92110

Join our 30-Day Gratitude Challenge!

As we continue our college-wide theme of Be Well this spring, we invite you to participate in the Gratitude Challenge brought to you by our Professional Development Department.

To enter the opportunity drawings for the 30-Day Gratitude Challenge, please submit this form for each day you complete: https://forms.office.com/r/R9jqSYQ5cf. Individual prizes will be awarded, along with a wellness afternoon for the campus with the most participation.

There will be an upcoming 15-minute meditation session for those interested in participating:

• Wednesday, March 5th @ 12:00pm

The session will begin promptly at 12:00 pm on Zoom: Zoom Link for the Meditation Session.

Today is Day 20 which states, catch a co-worker doing a great job and thank them for it. I hope everyone participates!

The Classified Professionals Equity Certification Program 1.0 (CPEC 1.0) is a professional development series designed to empower Classified Professionals by providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in and lead equity work across our campuses.

This is a great opportunity for Classified Professionals to grow as equity-minded leaders and make a meaningful impact on our campus community.

Program Details:
Start Date: Friday, March 14th (Welcome & Orientation at the Cesar Chavez Campus)
Format: Five 90-minute sessions (1 in-person, 4 virtual) + an in-person celebration upon completion
Additional Components: Independent reading, cohort discussions, and collaboration with an equity partner

To learn more and apply, please complete this form by the end of the day Friday, February 28th.

The District Office Professional Development department is pleased to offer a HyFlex Microsoft Applications training, Cohort #3 in collaboration with the San Diego College of Continuing Education Foundation and the Employee Training Institute on scheduled Fridays beginning February 28 through May 2, 2025 at the College of Continuing Education, North City Campus from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Only In-Person slots available. Please register at https://bit.ly/SDCCDSpr25. If requesting online, you will be placed on a waiting list.

For in-person/on-campus registrants, please note you will need to bring your own laptop to participate and complete activities.

Confirmation emails and reminders with detailed instructions will be sent out before the first training. Available slots will be determined on first-come, first-serve basis.

Flex Credit will be available to faculty.

The Tech Hub in partnership with the Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC), will be hosting a workshop on Understanding Single Sign-On (SSO) to assist students or others who may still be struggling to access their classes, student portal, or SDCCE accounts. Special thanks to Letrent Catchings for leading the session.

Date: Wednesday, February 26th
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: ECC Room 76

Please encourage students who need assistance with logging in to attend this session. This is a great opportunity for them to get hands-on support and ensure they can fully access their coursework and resources.

SDCCE now offers tutoring and study space for students at the ECC and Mid-City campuses!

Please be advised, tutoring courses are not listed in the schedule or the online scheduling tool. Students must come to the TLC at ECC in room 76 or visit room 317 at MCC during tutoring hours listed below to enroll. For questions or to schedule a in-class presentation (online or in-person) or field trip for your class to the tutoring center, please contact the faculty Tutoring Coordinator, Dr. Lollis, at klollis@sdccd.edu.

Please encourage students to enroll in tutoring this Friday 8 am to 1 pm at MCC, room 317. Outreach

Student Success Specialists will be available to help students enroll for tutoring at MCC.

Course: ABED 445
CRN: 85664 (ECC)
ECC- Room 76
Mon & Wed 12 to 6 pm
The following Fridays 8 am to 1 pm:
March 7th & 21st
April 18th
May 2nd, 16th, & 30th

Course: ABED 445
CRN: 85665 (Mid City)
MCC - Room 317
Tue & Thur 12:30 to 5:30 PM
The following Fridays 8 am to 1 pm:
Feb 28th
March 14th & 28th
April 11th & 25th
May 9th & 23rd

We are excited to announce the Counseling Spring 2025 Workshop Series! Please encourage your students to attend these valuable workshops designed to support their educational journey and success at SDCCE.

Below are some of the featured workshops.

• Transition to College Workshop
  Gain tips and strategies for a smooth transition to college, including opportunities to earn college credit through SDCCE’s Credit by Exam program.
• Educational Planning Workshop
  Learn the importance of having an educational plan and how to access yours.
• SDCCE Programs Workshop
  Explore the wide range of programs available at SDCCE.

To register for a workshop, students can contact Student Services at their preferred campus or call at 619-388-SDCE (7323).

This spring, Be Well SDCCEBe Well CCE is bringing back programming to support the entire campus community. We also have our new Bilingual therapist on board, Liz Barajas! All support groups will have English/Spanish translation available. See below for upcoming events:

Life in Living Color (LGBTQIA+)
Come join our bilingual support group twice a month to meet others, discuss relevant topics, and learn about resources for LGBTQIA+ students.
This group meets *BI-WEEKLY* on Mondays in person at the Cesar Chavez campus in room 205 or via Zoom.
Dates: 3/3/25, 3/17/25, 4/7/25, 4/21/25, 5/5/25, 5/19/25, 6/2/25, 6/16/25
Meeting ID: 867 6916 7653
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/86769167653

Real Relations Support Group
BeWell CCE wants to support you and your goals as you navigate the various interpersonal relationships in life. Some of the topics are included but not limited to: Communication, Boundaries, Self-Esteem, Core Beliefs/Values, Healthy/Unhealthy Relationship Traits, Positive Parenting/Discipline techniques and more.
The last Monday of the month is students only at 12:30 p.m.
Dates: 3/24/25, 4/28/25, 5/19/25, 6/23/25
Meeting ID: 847 4447 3305
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/84744473305

Weekly Student Support Group
“This Thing Called Life” is hosted on Wednesdays for students only at 12:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 884 0608 7923
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/88406087923

Weekly Employee Support Group
“Think it Through Thursdays” is hosted on Thursdays for employees only at 12:30 p.m.
Flex Credit Available
Meeting ID: 879 8336 9490
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/87983369490

We are excited to announce that several SDCCE Professionals will be awarded at the San Diego Chapter – American Association for Women in Community Colleges (SDC-AAWCC). The SDCAAWCC 2025 Annual Summit will be recognizing the achievements of women in higher education on Friday, March 21st , 2025, from 8:30am – 2:30pm at Palomar College Rancho Bernardo Education Center.

• Administrators Women of the Year - Michele Madrid Novak-  Dean Student Affairs
• Faculty Woman of the year - Aimee Serrano - CalWORKs Counselor
• Classified Professional Woman of the Year -  Deborah (Debi) King - Administrative Technician
• Student Woman of the Year - Nida Pierre - Student Worker

The selected awardees were nominated by SDCCE College professionals. Congratulations to our amazing colleagues and I look forward to being there to celebrate these achievements.

Register for the event

Save the date for the first SDCCD Town Hall on Wednesday, February 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will take place live at Mesa College or join any of the watch parties at the SDCCE campuses.

Additionally, the Chancellor's Spring Forum will take place on Wednesday, March 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Educational Cultural Complex in Room 169. This is a great opportunity to engage directly with the Chancellor on topics that matter to you and contribute ideas to help shape the future of our District.

Everyone is welcome to join! Light refreshments will be provided.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the welcome receptions celebrating Dr. Vangie Akridge, our new Dean of DSPS and Emeritus. We are thrilled to have her on our team and are excited to see the positive contributions she will make in her new role.

Recently, our Gateway students had an amazing opportunity to dive into a job shadowing experience at the San Diego Zoo! Thanks to the San Diego Workforce Partnership for making this connection possible and to the San Diego Zoo for hosting such an incredible event. We also want to thank the SDCCE outreach team for keeping our students prepared with rain gear!

Haydee Zuniga, our SDCCE student trustee, recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. for the National Legislative Summit. During her trip, she engaged with policymakers, advocated for educational initiatives, and represented the voices of fellow students, all while gaining valuable insights into the legislative process that shapes higher education across the nation. Way to go Haydee!

Faculty Spotlight

This week, I am thrilled to spotlight faculty member Denise Muñoz. Denise is a general counselor at ECC. She assisted with leading the counselor institute where counselors came together to develop strategic priorities which were focused on improving student retention and success. Thank you Denise, we are fortunate to have you at SDCCE!

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.

For SDCCE professional development opportunities, visit the professional development web page for upcoming workshops.

For SDCCE swag and merch visit the online store and start shopping today!

President's Updates

I participated in the Binational Conference in La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico, where I joined fellow educational leaders from the California Community Colleges and members of COLEGAS. There were presidents, administrators, college representatives from various divisions, faculty, and council members who joined this trip. Together, we traveled to three states in Mexico: Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Jalisco. We explored the educational landscape, gaining deeper insights into the cultural, economic, and historical aspects and possible opportunities of collaboration. We had the opportunity to visit the Senate and meet the Congress, Mayors of several towns and many others who are leading policies to support education. View the recording from my time in Mexico to learn more.

Thank you for joining me for my presentation with CCLEAD titled, Pathways to the Presidency: Equity-Minded Leadership for Justice and Service. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring theoretical frameworks, discussing how equity-mindedness shows up in leadership, and sharing my personal leadership journey with everyone on the Zoom webinar.

The Research Corner

This week, we invite you to explore the paper You Can't Count if You're Not Counted. This paper from the RP Group discusses how the current data collecting methodologies in higher education are limiting representation of people who are normally identified as African American/Black. The paper recommends using different methods that can improve identification by focusing on more inclusive alternatives to support the success of these students. You can read the full article at the following link: You Can’t Count If You’re Not Counted: More Inclusive Data Collection and Reporting Strategies to Drive African American/Black Student Success . Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.

Walk with the President / President's Office Hours

This semester, I'm excited to offer a new 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 this spring. 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 serve basis. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please email sdccepresident@sdccd.edu for detailed information.

Best,