Dear SDCCE Community,

Last week, I and several colleagues had the privilege of representing San Diego College of Continuing Education at the 3rd Annual Vision 2030: Noncredit Summit – Reimagining Noncredit Education for Equity and Economic Mobility, which SDCCE proudly co-hosted at Mt. San Antonio College. Special thanks to Faculty member Richard Gholson, Director of Admissions and Records Libbier Bakit, our Student Trustee Yahir Melendez, and SDCCD Chancellor Greg Smith for their insightful presentations and meaningful contributions to the event.

The summit was a powerful reminder of the vital role noncredit and adult education play in advancing equity and economic opportunity across our state. Through engaging panels and insightful discussions, colleagues throughout the California Community Colleges system came together with a shared purpose—to strengthen pathways that uplift students and transform communities.

I left the event deeply inspired by the continued collaboration and innovation happening in our system. Together, we are reimagining what’s possible and shaping a future where every learner has the opportunity to thrive. I want to thank California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian and the Mt. San Antonio College Team for another great summit. Read more about our collective efforts that are creating new pathways for noncredit student success and checkout the spotlight in Chancellor Christian's Blog.

Enrollment Updates

Fall Update

SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 28,006 (2% less than this time last year, and a 1% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 69%, which is less than last fall (76%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,808, a decrease of 2% compared to this time last fall (15,136) and a 1% increase from last week (14,627). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 7% greater than last fall (184.16 to 197.58). View the enrollment report.

We invite you to the Filipino American History Month Lunch and & Learn event at the Educational Cultural Complex on

October 23, 2025 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Join us for a celebration of Filipino culture with a special panel of Filipino American community members sharing their stories and experiences. Enjoy a delicious Filipino lunch on us and get hands-on with a traditional flower arranging activity inspired by Filipino heritage. Open to all. Come learn, create, and celebrate with us!

Program Review Update: Gratitude and Continued Support

A heartfelt thank you to all faculty and staff who have participated in this year’s Program Review process so far! Your thoughtful reflections, data-driven insights, and commitment to continuous improvement continue to strengthen our collective work across the institution.

Special thanks to those who joined Juan Salcedo and Ildifonso Carrillo for the Data Coaching Sessions—held on October 9th (Zoom) and October 14th (in person). Your engagement and collaboration made both sessions meaningful and productive.

If you were unable to attend either session and have questions about Program Review, Data Dashboards, or Sample Narratives, please don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a 1:1 data coaching appointment.

A friendly reminder to all Program Chairs that your Program Review deadline is quickly approaching on October 24th. For assistance, contact your Program Review Coordinator, Ildifonso Carrillo, at icarrillo001@sdccd.edu.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Program Review a purposeful and data-informed process at SDCCE.

Single Sign-On is Here!

The Outreach Office is visiting campuses to assist with Single Sign-On until October 31, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, they will be tabling to assist students in connecting with essential college resources.

Encourage students to stop by to:

• Get help setting up Single Sign-On
• Learn about TimelyCare and other student services
• Grab some info (and maybe some swag!)

Pack the Pantry

This October, San Diego College of Continuing Education is proud to partner once again with Cal Coast Credit Union for the 7th Annual Pack the Pantry Virtual Food Drive.

Your support helps stock food pantries and nutrition centers across local community college campuses—directly benefiting students who face food insecurity. Every dollar makes a difference and helps ensure our students have access to the nourishment they need to thrive in their studies and beyond.

Donations can be made easily and securely at: https://bit.ly/virtual-food-drive-2025 and will support our CARES Marketplace.

Together, we can make a lasting impact—one meal at a time. Give now through October 31.

Join myself and the Executive President’s Cabinet during the upcoming campus visits for an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and hear the latest college updates—over coffee or ice cream. The next visit will be at Cesar Chavez from 2:30 to 3:30pm on October 30 over some ice cream. Please join us for any of the visits listed!

CE MediaFest 2025

The San Diego College of Continuing Education's Communications and Creative Services team is proud to present CE MediaFest 2025!

The tour began at West City today which was a great turnout! Their next visit will be at ECC Campus tomorrow, Room 76 from 1 to 3pm. Don't miss out on getting your free headshots, program interviews, video promotions, exclusive swag items, and more!

The SDCCD has partnered with TimelyCare to expand access to high-quality mental health support for enrolled students. Through this partnership, students can connect with licensed counselors virtually, access 24/7 on-demand support, and explore wellness tools designed to meet their unique needs. The goal is to provide timely, flexible, and efficient care that helps students manage stress, maintain balance, and stay focused on their academic and personal success. Encourage students to get started and register with their SDCCD.edu student email to access services. View our new landing page with more details on TimelyCare.

Enhance your safety on and off campus with the SDCCDSafe app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. It is the official safety app of San Diego Community College District. The app features emergency contacts, crisis alerts, location services features, in-app tip reporting, and much more! The app also lets you stay connected by inviting a trusted friend or family member to virtually accompany you through a safety walk—so you’re never truly alone, even when they’re not nearby.

In the midst of so much happening across the country, it is essential that we remain mindful of how we can best support one another. We invite you to share and join the relevant weekly Mental Health Resource Support Group for students and constituents — see details below:

• This Thing Called Life, Wednesdays at 12:30 PM; this session is specifically for students, please encourage them to email Be Well CCE for the Zoom link.
• Think it Through Thursdays, specifically for faculty and classified professionals to express, de-stress, and re-fuel beginning at 12:30 PM. Join the session at the Zoom link; Meeting ID: 868 0187 2407

Counseling Services and Workshops

We have several services available to share with students to contribute to student success at SDCCE, please view the complete list here.

Rising Scholars

Throughout the Fall 2025 semester, The Rising Scholars program will be tabling at all seven of our campuses from 10:45am to 12:00pm, providing students and colleagues the opportunity to learn more about Rising Scholars, ask questions, and explore ways to engage, support, and collaborate. The next stop will be at West City, Tuesday, October 28. We encourage you to bring students and colleagues or share the flyer with anyone who could benefit from the resources and support Rising Scholars offers.

ECC Theatre Renovation

The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress! Signs have been placed around campus outlining the construction.

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 Project Updates

Thank you to everyone a part of the bond projects and discussions. Below are various updates regarding our projects.

ECC Building Trades (Welding Renovation)

• Planning with the building consultants is ongoing. Schematic Design is underway.
• Soil testing to be scheduled at a later date. Work to be coordinated on a Friday to minimize campus impacts.
• Discussions exploring different swing space considerations are underway.

ECC Ceramics

• Design is ongoing. The Design Development Documents were completed last week. The Construction Documents are now underway.
• Soils testing between Buildings A & B has been scheduled for Friday, 10/24, from 7:30AM - 4PM. A campus-wide notice was distributed, highlighting the area of impact and the alternative path of travel. Traffic control and wayfinding signage will be provided to assist pedestrians.

ECC Community Room Renovation

• Design is ongoing, with Construction Documents underway.
• Project schedule is trailing behind the ECC Ceramics project as construction of the new Community Room is tied to the completion of the new ceramics space.

CE Mesa Campus Building Envelope Improvements

• The Feasibility Report of the exterior building was completed last week. Proposed improvement options were reviewed with the project team.
• Schematic Design is expected to begin this month.

Mid-City Expansion

• Design officially kicked off last week. The project consists of a new campus that will accommodate in-demand programs within the community.
• Individual Focus Groups have been scheduled with different departments next week to discuss current program operations at their existing campuses and future needs.

Mid-City Renovation

• Design Kick-Off Meeting is being scheduled with the project team. The existing campus will be undergoing tenant improvements to better support its existing programs.

West-City Expansion

• Design officially kicked off last week. The campus will be undergoing an expansion to support the future growth of its current programs. The project will include the renovation of the existing facility.
• Individual Focus Group Meetings have been scheduled with different departments for the next two weeks to discuss current program operations and future needs.

Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates

The Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force meets monthly to further our conversations on continuing to implement proactive strategies for tracking students who are facing immigration challenges, as well as the importance of reporting any sightings of ICE on campus to the Chancellor or District General Counsel. Reports of ICE near campus (off campus) should first be directed to the COS, who, in collaboration with the Deans, will take appropriate and informed next steps to address the situation.

I look forward to our next meeting on October 27 to further these important conversations.

Please take a moment to review the safety cards for navigating ICE incidents on campus, which were distributed during Convocation. These resources are designed to guide employees on the steps for reporting.

Empowering Voices

Last week, in honor of Undocumented Student Success Week, SDCCE proudly joined the California Community Colleges in celebrating and standing with our undocumented and immigrant students. We honor the strength, resilience, and aspirations that define our community by highlighting those who make this work possible—like Fatima Mota, counselor for the Immigrant Student Success Program, whose compassion and advocacy empower students to build brighter futures. Read more of her inspiring story in the SDCCE News Room.

Tutoring & Learning Center

The Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) is here to help students succeed in their classes. The following services are offered:

• 1:1 and Group Academic Tutoring
• Digital Literacy Support for Learning
• Study Space & Small Library
• Learning Workshops

This semester we are located at the following:

• ECC, Room 76: Mondays & Wednesdays from 9 am to 6 pm; Tuesdays from 9 am to 5 pm, Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and Fridays from 8:30 am to 1 pm.
• MCC, Room 317: Mondays - Thursdays 12 pm to 5 pm.
• NEW this Fall, the TLC at Chavez, Room 317: Starting October 27, 2025, Mondays 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

Encourage enrolled students to visit the TLC to discover how we can support their learning journey.

Classified Professional Spotlight

This week’s Classified Spotlight shines on Tiara Sanders, our Campus Digital Communications Specialist at the ECC Campus! Tiara is passionate about working in education and deeply values the mission of community colleges—where her own college journey began. Originally from North Carolina, she started her higher education at Wake Technical Community College and was later hired where she served as the Marketing/Comms Specialist then as the Interim Marketing Director supporting 11 campuses.

Her communications career began as a journalism intern for local magazines and grew to include roles in social media, marketing, public relations, and news reporting. Outside of work, Tiara enjoys dancing, listening to Beyoncé, spending time with her fiancé, family, friends, and her feisty chi-poo, Bear. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), she has served in multiple executive leadership and regional roles supporting brand communications for the sorority. Since relocating to California, Tiara continues to serve on AKA's Far Western Regional Team. Nearly a year into her journey at SDCCE, she values connecting with colleagues and students and sharing meaningful messages that uplift and inspire the community.

Faculty Spotlight

This week’s spotlight shines on Child Development Instructor Jessica Peterson, who has been part of SDCCE since 2005. Jessica’s connection to the program began when she and her daughter joined Parent Education classes starting when her daughter was just four months old! Many of the friendships they built there remain strong today.

When her daughter started kindergarten, Jessica was inspired to return to the program that had supported her as a new mom. With degrees in Child Development from San Jose State and USD and teaching experience in Poway Unified, she became a perfect fit for SDCCE.

A lifelong San Diegan, Jessica enjoys traveling, cruising, concerts, and visiting her daughter in Boise, where she now works at Boise State University. Jessica and her husband also share their home with a lively pandemic pup who keeps things fun and noisy!

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.

The SDCCD Campus Climate Survey will launch Oct. 21 - Nov. 14., administered by the independent RP Group. I invite you to share your experiences, honest feedback and help strengthen our commitment to equity, inclusion, and a supportive campus environment. Check your email from research@rpgroup.org or rpgroupsurvey@rpgroup.org for your survey link. I highly encourage everyone to participate in this survey.

President's Updates

I had the pleasure of attending the Advancing Leaders Institute hosted by Wheelhouse at UCLA, where I spoke alongside my colleague, Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez, President of the College of San Mateo. It was wonderful to connect and engage with the 2025 Cohort—sharing insights, experiences, and lessons learned. I’m always grateful for opportunities to pay it forward by passing along the knowledge that’s been shared with me, and I hope these emerging leaders will carry it forward as they continue to grow in their careers!

The Research Corner

This week we invite you to explore the report Reaching California’s College Attainment Goals. This report breaks down the rates of enrollment in and completion of postsecondary education in Californian adults, and how they have changed over time. It then outlines some strategies and policies that could be used to encourage people to enroll and encourage students to complete their program (whether it is a certification or degree). This document may be accessed here: Reaching California’s College Attainment Goals. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.