Dear SDCCE Community,

As we observe Veterans Day tomorrow, November 11, we take a moment to honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Their commitment to protecting our freedoms reminds us of the strength that comes from service and community.

At SDCCE, we are proud to support our veteran students, employees, and alumni who continue to inspire us through their leadership and resilience. Thank you for your service and for the many ways you enrich our campuses and classrooms every day.

Enrollment Updates

Fall Update

SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 28,138 (4% less than this time last year, and a 0.8% decrease from last week), with a fill rate of 66%, which is less than last fall (75%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,998, a decrease of 4% compared to this time last fall (15,548) and a 0.1% decrease from last week (15,018). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 7% greater than last fall (185.24 to 198.34). View report.

Please see the graphs added to the enrollment update to provide a clearer visual snapshot of our metrics.

This month, we will be celebrating our student veterans. Join the SDCCE Veteran Student Success Program for a Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, November 12, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 186 at the Educational Cultural Complex. The event will begin with a Moment of Silence honoring our veterans, followed by an engaging career workshop.

Reminder, enrollment for Spring 2026 courses begins on November 17—encourage students to save this date and get ready to enroll!

As part of our ongoing efforts to align our Course Outlines of Record (CORs) and ensure consistency across our instructional programs, the Office of Instructional Services and VPI Omae in collaboration with Professor Richard Gholson, Chair of the Curriculum Review Committee and Dr. Rachel Rose, Chair of Chairs will be hosting a series of open forums this month. These sessions are designed to provide space for dialogue, clarification, and collective problem-solving as we continue this important work together. You are cordially invited to attend one of the following sessions:

• Monday, November 17 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Chávez Campus
• Monday, November 17 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | CE Mesa Campus
• Wednesday, November 19 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom meeting link)

These forums will provide background information on the current COR alignment project, highlight promising practices from across our programs, and offer an opportunity to share your questions and insights. Your participation and feedback are essential as we work together to ensure that all courses are scheduled and delivered in accordance with approved CORs, supporting both instructional integrity and student success.

For questions please contact: VPI Masa Omae, momae@sdccd.edu

On Wednesday, November 5, the District held its Fall 2025 Town Hall with Chancellor Smith at our North City Campus. Thank you to ISSP Counselor Fatima Mota for representing our college, as well as all attendees for their engagement and questions. I also want to thank the Chancellor's Office Team and our North City team who helped the event run smoothly and each campus for hosting a watch party.

Please take a moment to share your input on how the Town Hall was run, your interest in the subject matter, and how it may improve for next time. A brief, confidential survey is available by clicking on this link.

If you were unable to attend in person, on Zoom, or via campus watch party, you can view the Town Hall on YouTube here.

The SDCCD Campus Climate Survey is open through 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. Please also encourage students that are enrolled in Fall 2025 to take this survey through November 21.

The SDCCE CalWORKs program provided our students and employees with the opportunity to attend the Grand Opening Night of Julius Caesar at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. The enthusiasm and thoughtful reflections shared by students and CalWorks team have been truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this collaboration and creating more meaningful experiences that enrich our students’ learning and engagement through the arts.

Join me 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 the ECC Campus from 2:30 to 3:30pm on Monday, December 1 over some ice cream. Please join us for any of the visits listed!

CE MediaFest 2025

Thank you to all classified professionals, faculty, and administrators who joined in the fun and helped make CE Media Fest meaningful. Your participation not only brought our community together but also strengthened how we share the incredible work happening across SDCCE.

We’re excited to see your updated headshots in action and to use your new program videos to shine a brighter spotlight on the classes and opportunities that change lives every day. Thank you for helping us elevate visibility, connection, and pride across our campuses.

Until next year!

Take a peek at more photos from our photobooth!

Join our A2MEND and Black Student Success Program for “The Prince of Side Hustles” workshop.

Small business consultant and serial entrepreneur Prince Graham will share how to build income-generating businesses with little to no money. Learn the history of side hustles after slavery, discover your unique strengths, and explore practical ways to turn your talents into thriving ventures.

Alex Waters will also join us from the Business Resource Center.

Food and drinks will be provided.

• Mid-City Campus, Room 117
• November 12, 2025 | 3:00–4:30 PM
• After the event: There will be Game Night at Club Spencer (4:30–6:00 PM) featuring UNO, karaoke, spades, and dominoes!
• Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Students can register here by filling out the form: A2MEND Meeting Registration

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.

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

The Emeritus Program is proud to share the latest edition of its newsletter, showcasing the remarkable work happening across this community. This issue highlights recent activities, faculty and student achievements, and upcoming events that continue to enrich the learning experience for our older adult students.

A special thank-you to editor, Claudia Tornsaufer, and co-editors and Academic Program Coordinators Char Schade and Tara Gilboy, for their outstanding leadership and dedication in bringing this publication to life.

View past issues here.

Lastly, the Brain Fitness team is hosting a series of upcoming webinars designed to provide valuable and relevant information for Emeritus students. We are grateful for these meaningful collaborations with our community partners, which continue to strengthen our program’s outreach and impact.

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 CE Mesa on Tuesday, November 18. 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! Here is the latest update:

• Major demo will take place after the Thanksgiving break with the removal of the second floor balcony. Loud noise notifications will be issued in the weeks to come.

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.

ECC Campus Impact at Skill Center

As part of ongoing construction activities on campus, the pathway between Buildings A & B will be temporarily closed on Friday, 11/14, from 7:30AM to 4:00PM. During this time, all pedestrians must use the alternative path of travel indicated on the site plan below. Traffic control, along with wayfinding signage, will be available to help guide you around the closure area.

Please note that bicycle parking will not be available for the day. We encourage everyone to plan accordingly and allow a few extra minutes when moving through campus.

Bond Projects Update

Below is an update of the current Measure HH Bond projects for our college. We have also developed a current projects page with updates on each project.

ECC Building Trades (Welding Renovation)

• Planning with the building consultants is ongoing. Schematic Design is underway.
• Soil testing at the welding yard has been scheduled for Friday, 11/14, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A campus-wide notification will be sent out ahead of time for coordination purposes.
• Discussions exploring different swing space considerations are underway.
• Cost estimates for expansion and enclosure of the existing canopy space are in progress.
• Leadership approved program refinement for additional 3,000 SF state-of-the-art automation/robotics labs.

ECC Ceramics

• Design is ongoing, with Construction Documents underway.
• Additional soils testing between Buildings A & B has been scheduled for Friday, 11/14, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A campus-wide notification was sent out last week for coordination purposes.
• Discussions exploring different swing space considerations are underway.
• Targeting December 2025 for Division of the State Architect (DSA) submittal.

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.
• Preliminary plans for the new office space were reviewed with the Foundation Director last week.
• Targeting June 2026 for Division of the State Architect (DSA) submittal.

ECC Seismic Upgrades

• Design team is performing a seismic evaluation of the main building as part of a standard procedure required by the Division of the State Architect (DSA).
• Site walk was held with the project stakeholders last week to review and mark out the specified locations for material testing & assessment.
• All testing to be scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and observed holidays to minimize campus impacts.

CE Mesa Campus Building Envelope Improvements

• The Feasibility Report of the exterior building was completed. Proposed improvement options were reviewed with the project stakeholders.
• Cost estimates for the full enclosure of the existing stairwells have been submitted.
• Design Kick-Off Meeting to be scheduled with the Project Stakeholders upon Notice to Proceed.

Mid-City Expansion

• Individual Focus Group Meetings have been completed.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders in two weeks.
• Final Report to be submitted to Leadership in December 2025.
• Targeting January 2026 for approval of conceptual design.
• RFQP to be issued for Design-Build Services in March 2026.

Mid-City Renovation

• Individual Focus Group Meetings have been completed.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders in two weeks.
• Final Report to be submitted to Leadership in December 2025.
• Targeting January 2026 for approval of conceptual design.
• Leadership to review and discuss project phasing upon approval of conceptual design.

West-City Expansion

• Individual Focus Group Meetings are ongoing.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders in November 2025.
• Targeting December 2025 for approval of conceptual design in order to kick-off Schematic Design.

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 this month 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.

Sandy Hamel and Dr. Roberta Krauss presented at the SDCCE at the District-wide Work-Based Learning Summit, where they shared innovative strategies and best practices for connecting classroom instruction with real-world career experiences. Their presentation highlighted how hands-on learning and employer partnerships continue to prepare students for success in today’s workforce. We also had several other SDCCE colleagues in attendance to support the summit!

Career Transition Services and the Immigrant Student Success Program hosted a two-part Career Readiness Workshop Series to help students strengthen their resumes and interview skills. Each session included live Spanish and Haitian Creole interpretation, providing inclusive support for all participants preparing to enter the workforce. Additional workshops are planned to continue to assist in student success.

• 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.

President's Updates

• I enjoyed attending CE Media Fest at North City last week! The energy in the room was vibrant and I loved seeing our employees and even the District Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations team join the event and support.
• Thank you to North City and CE Miramar campuses for joining me and the leadership team at the recent campus visits. I always enjoy seeing all of you and hearing about ways we can continue to advance each of our campuses and programs. I hope you all have been enjoying the ice cream set ups as well!
• I look forward to attending the annual COLEGAS Conference in Sacramento, CA this week. This year’s conference theme, “Unidxs Podemos: Uplifting through Education, Democracy, and Change” centers the collective power of our communities to advance equity and justice.
• As the holiday season approaches, I want to express how much I value the kindness and thoughtfulness of our community. While I will not accept any personal gifts with monetary value, the most meaningful gesture is a card or note sent directly to me—or a contribution to our College Foundation, which supports our shared mission and students through scholarships. Your beautiful cards and messages always bring me perspective and pride, and they are truly the highlight of my year. Thank you for understanding!

The Research Corner

This week we invite you to explore the DATA HIGHLIGHT: How have English and math course failure rates changed for California community college students since AB 705?. This document offers a short description of how students have been performing after the reform resulting from AB 705, in which nearly all California community college students are able to enroll in transfer-level English and math courses. This document may be accessed here: This document may be accessed here: DATA HIGHLIGHT: How have English and math course failure rates changed for California community college students since AB 705?. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.