Dear SDCCE Community,

As we embark into the new year, there’s so much to look forward to! Our team is already hard at work preparing a variety of initiatives that will shape an exciting semester ahead. Welcome Week is just around the corner, bringing a vibrant lineup of activities designed to energize and connect our students as they kick off the year.

At the same time, our shared governance committees are regrouping to ensure we continue collaborating on key decisions and initiatives that impact both our campus and the student experience. We’re also actively supporting Spring 2026 enrollment as we approach the first day of classes on January 22.

I want to take a moment to thank you for your dedication in helping students access the resources they need to thrive—whether they’re returning or just beginning their journey with us. Your commitment makes all the difference in creating a welcoming, supportive, and successful campus community.

Enrollment Updates

Fall Update

SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 28,009 (5% less than this time last year, and a 0.04% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 62%, which is less than last fall (71%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,946, a decrease of 5% compared to this time last fall (15,790) and a 0.01% increase from last week (14,945). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 6% greater than last fall (186.74 to 198.47). View the enrollment report.

Spring Update

SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 20,022 (5% less than this time last year, and a 10% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 62%, which is less than last spring (64%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 11,132, a decrease of 4% compared to this time last spring (11,564) and a 9% increase from last week (10,190). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 11% greater than last spring (187.81 to 208.52).

As we honor the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we reflect on his enduring legacy of courage, compassion, and justice—and his reminder that progress is built through unity, hope, and collective action. His vision continues to guide our work at SDCCE as we expand access, opportunity, and belonging for all. His legacy has deep connections to our ECC campus, and what better way to carry this legacy forward than by marching in the 44th Annual MLK Parade on Sunday, January 18, 2026, themed “Hope in Action, A Dream Still Unfolding.” SDCCE MLK shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis as we come together to celebrate community and the living legacy of Dr. King.

MLK Parade Details

• Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
• Arrive Time for Marchers: 9:30–10:30 a.m.
• Parade Time: 11 a.m.
• Route Length: 1.2 miles
• Staging Area: Harbor Drive (between Grape and Ash)
• Weather: The parade will take place rain or shine

Please note that all SDCCE campuses will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Winter Break Highlights

Thank you to everyone who shared special moments from winter break with loved ones. From time spent with family and friends to travel memories, campus moments, and opportunities to recharge and reflect, your stories help us celebrate our community and the people behind the meaningful work we do every day.

• Over Winter Break, Diana Larsen celebrated Christmas Eve with her sons, Ronnie and Brendan at their church.
• Anjali Patel enjoyed the winter season by spending quality time with family and friends and attending a hockey game.
• Alayne Flores enjoyed a special family moment by attending the ESL holiday party with her children just before the break began. One highlight was the White Elephant gift exchange, where her 8-year-old daughter received a Chia Pet from a colleague—and delighted in watching it grow over the following two weeks.
• Carol Goldstein enjoyed a meaningful blend of connection, celebration, and self-care. She gathered with Advanced High Level 7 students for a festive lunch at the Great Plaza Buffet on January 3, and earlier hosted a December gathering. Carol also rang in the season with Argentine tango dances, including a special New Year’s Eve celebration, and cherished traditions like her 17th annual mother-daughter lunch at the Neiman Marcus Café and a Christmas tea party. In between the festivities, she made time to recharge by sleeping in and enjoying daily 50-minute walks.
• Ildifonso Carrillo had the pleasure of co-teaching a Level 1 ESL class at CE Chávez with Professor Raquel Perez. What began as a collaboration quickly blossomed into a meaningful partnership built on care, trust, and shared purpose. As Raquel’s first class at SDCCE, they intentionally planned lessons, taught with heart, and created a classroom environment that was warm, affirming, and empowering for students. This semester was a powerful reminder that the best learning experiences are born from collaboration, joy, and a deep belief in students’ potential.

Spring Institution Day will be here before you know it! Be sure to mark your calendars for January 20, 2026. We’ll gather at the San Diego Central Library as we bring back the inspiring Sustained in Unity theme. A formal email invitation has gone out.

Please RSVP to attend: https://bit.ly/45sMP24

We have a special program planned for you all including key college-wide updates, new swag items, safety resources, and breakout sessions designed with you in mind.

Also, we also encourage you to bring the reusable utensils you received at Fall Convocation to utilize during the President's Luncheon.

For more details, including additional parking FAQs, please visit the registration page.

Spring 2026 Enrollment

Spring 2026 Enrollment is open! Encourage students to enroll early and explore our wide range of tuition-free programs, flexible scheduling, and supportive services. We are ready to help every student start the new term with confidence.

Mailers have been delivered to campuses and homes throughout San Diego.

You can access a digital copy online via the website.

Scholarship Applications Now Open

The scholarship application for students is now open through February 6, 2026. Please encourage students to review the eligibility criteria, gather required materials, and submit their application early.

Application assistance is available through the Tutoring and Learning Center, contact cetutoring@sdccd.edu for more information.

The application can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/2026ScholarshipApp

Encourage students to join the “Discover What’s Next for You” workshop and to work toward their goals. This interactive session will help students explore career and program options, clarify educational and career goals, understand the value of education, connect with SDCCE counseling services, and learn more about Career Technical Education programs designed to support student success.

• Wednesday, January 14
• 12:30 p.m.
• Online or In Person — ECC, Room 188

Encourage students to register: https://bit.ly/discovering-what-is-next-for-you-26

Passport to Success held last week at the District Office was a success, offering new SDCCE employees in-depth insight into college and district operations. Beyond the informative sessions, participants built meaningful connections and were inspired by powerful stories shared by our District leadership. Special thanks to Professor Helena Wei and Dr. Veleka Iwuaba for leading this effort.

ECC Theatre Renovation

The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress! Here is the latest update:

• Construction was paused in observance of Christmas and New Year holidays. Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we work through these projects. 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

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

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)

• Individual Focus Group Meetings are ongoing.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders.
• Final Report to be submitted to Leadership in January 2026.
• Targeting February 2026 for approval of conceptual design in order to kick-off Schematic Design.

ECC Ceramics

• Construction Documents were submitted to DSA (Division of the State Architect) in December 2025.
• Anticipating DSA Approval & Permit by July 2026.
• Targeting November 2026 to start Construction Phase.

ECC Community Room Renovation

• Design is ongoing, with Design Development 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.
• Interior space options were reviewed with the Project Stakeholders last week.
• Live Archive discussion with the Foundation Director is scheduled for this week.
• Targeting May 2026 for DSA (Division of the State Architect) submittal.

ECC Seismic Upgrades

• Design Team is performing a seismic evaluation of the main building as part of a standard procedure required by DSA (Division of the State Architect).
• All testing to be scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and observed holidays to minimize campus impacts. Testing results will determine seismic upgrade requirements.
• Seismic improvements to be implemented in phases and captured in current ECC projects to minimize campus impacts. Any remaining areas of the facility will become it's own standalone project.

ECC Theater Renovation

• Scheduled electrical, domestic water, fire sprinkler, and sewer shutdowns to the Main Building were completed during Winter Session.
• Foundation work, underground utilities, and waterproofing installation are ongoing.
• New trailers for temporary pantry have been delivered. Temporary infrastructure to energize trailers is ongoing.
• Updated Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) package was submitted to the Project Stakeholders for additional comments.

CE Mesa Campus Building Envelope Improvements

• Feasibility Report of the exterior building was completed.
• Budgetary cost and schedule estimates have been submitted.
• Design Kick-Off Meeting to be scheduled with the Project Stakeholders upon Notice to Proceed.
• Targeting May 2026 for DSA (Division of the State Architect) submittal.

Mid-City Expansion

• Final Report with budgetary cost estimate to be submitted to Leadership in January 2026.
• Targeting February 2026 for approval of conceptual design.
• RFQP to be issued for Design-Build Services in March 2026.

Mid-City Renovation

• Final Report with budgetary cost estimate to be submitted to Leadership in January 2026.
• Targeting February 2026 for approval of conceptual design.
• Leadership to review and discuss project phasing upon approval of conceptual design.

West-City Expansion

• Design-Build Team toured Mesa College's Culinary Arts facility last week.
• Design-Build Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders this week.

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.

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.

SDCCD Safe

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.

Your safety is our top priority.

Please take a moment to verify and update your cellphone number in the MySDCCD portal. Our RAVE Alert System depends on accurate contact information in PeopleSoft to quickly reach you during an emergency. Stay prepared—stay informed. Please visit SDCCE Administrative Services Intranet for all safety resources:

https://sdccd0.sharepoint.com/sites/SDCEAdministration

Dean Andrei Lucas was a grant recipient of the Cal Coast Cares Foundation Educator Grants! He and Penny Newell, Manager of the Cal Coast Cares Foundation, shared the positive impact of these awards on ABC 10News San Diego recently. Their discussion highlighted how this support empowers educators and expands meaningful learning opportunities across our community. Congratulations to Dean Lucas for spotlighting our HVAC Partnership with Lincoln High School. View the coverage here.

The Classified Senate held its retreat at the VEBA Resource Center, bringing together executive officers and campus senators for a productive and engaging gathering. Chancellor Smith joined along with members of the Executive President’s Cabinet to share insights and spend meaningful time with our classified leaders. I want to extend my sincere thanks to our Classified Senate leadership for their continued advocacy on behalf of our classified professionals and the students they support every day.

• 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 am looking forward to attending the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast, hosted by the Jackie Robinson YMCA on January 16. This annual gathering is a powerful morning of reflection and celebration, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while recognizing local individuals who continue to advance his vision through service and leadership.

I also look forward to seeing many of you at the MLK Parade on Sunday, January 18, as I march alongside all of you and my family, and admire the beautiful float crafted by our welding department. The parade is always a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrate unity, and recommit ourselves to the values of justice, service, and equality that he so powerfully championed.

The Research Corner

This week we invite you to explore Real College California: Basic Needs Among California Community College Students in 2025. The RP Group and the CEO Affordability, Food & Housing Access Taskforce finds that 2/3 of California Community College students face one or more forms of basic needs insecurity. Students may be in need of food security, housing security, or an alternative to homelessness, and students disproportionately affected include: African American/Black students, LGBTQ+ students, and students aged 26-30. This document may be accessed here: Real College California: Basic Needs Among California Community College Students in 2025. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.