San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) co-hosted the third annual Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit, a statewide convening of adult education and policy leaders focused on strengthening noncredit education and expanding opportunity for adult learners. The event took place October 16–17 at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), a leading college for California’s workforce development.

Presented by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) and co-hosted by SDCCE and Mt. SAC in partnership with the Association of Community and Continuing Education (ACCE), the two-day summit brought together educators, legislators, and workforce leaders to highlight innovative practices that transform lives and advance Vision 2030’s goals of equity, access, and success for all Californians.

The Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit originated at SDCCE in 2023, when the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office partnered with the college to host the inaugural event, A Call to Action: Adult Education Summit. That first meeting drew more than 300 state and community leaders to address barriers facing adult learners and established the foundation for a continuing statewide series dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity through noncredit education.

“Noncredit programs are a powerful pathway for individuals seeking to advance their skills, access economic opportunities, and build a more equitable future,” said SDCCE President Tina M. King, Ed.D. “As we look toward 2030, we recognize the critical role that noncredit education plays in addressing workforce needs, closing equity gaps, and supporting lifelong learning for all members of our diverse communities. It was an honor to co-host this pivotal event and continue the work that began at SDCCE, uniting educators, policymakers, and advocates in a shared commitment. Together, we can reimagine noncredit education as a catalyst for meaningful change, economic mobility, and social justice”

The 2025 Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit featured a Vision 2030 update and State of Noncredit Address by CCCCO Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian, leadership panels with State Senators Susan Rubio and Sasha Renée Pérez, a student panel highlighting lived experiences, a faculty panel, and multiple breakout sessions on program development, instructional innovation, and institutional integration.

Noncredit and community education programs continue to play an essential role in California’s economy by providing free or low-cost, skills-based training that helps adults gain employment, transition to college, and advance their careers. Despite their proven impact, these programs remain under-recognized as key contributors to workforce development and economic growth.

Featured Speakers Included:

• Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor, California Community Colleges
• Dr. Martha Garcia, President/CEO, Mt. San Antonio College
• Dr. Tina M. King, President, San Diego College of Continuing Education
• Peter Hidalgo, President, Mt. San Antonio College Board of Trustees
• Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, California State Senate, District 25
• Sen. Susan Rubio, California State Senate, District 22
• Stewart Knox, Secretary, California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
• Gregory Smith, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District
• Richard Gholson, IT Curriculum Chair and Instructor, San Diego College of Continuing Education
• Libbier Bakit, Director of Admissions and Records, San Diego College of Continuing Education
• Yahir Melendez, Student Trustee, San Diego College of Continuing Education
• Ajita Talwalker Menon, President & CEO, Calbright College
  Dr. Madelyn Arballo, Vice President, School of Continuing Education, Mt. San Antonio College
• Dr. Emma Diaz, President, Association of Community and Continuing Education

As Vision 2030 continues to advance, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, SDCCE, and partner institutions plan to expand the summit series to additional regions across the state. Vision 2030 is a framework for bold and thoughtful action, action for policy reform, fiscal sustainability, systems development and for process and practice reform in the field,  to support our students, our communities and our planet. The framework has been guided by the Vision for Success (2017), the governor’s “Multi-Year Roadmap” (2022) and current issues and future considerations.

SDCCE is among the state’s largest adult, noncredit colleges in the state, providing pathways to economic mobility for veterans, refugees, immigrants, mid-career workers, and more. The college’s career education programs alone, which range from information technology to welding, pump nearly $250 million into the regional economy each year.