On Monday, April 18, 2022, San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) will recognize the accomplishments of more than 150 career- and college-bound students at its 14th annual “Stars on the Rise” Scholarship and Awards Ceremony. The event will take place from 4-6 p.m. at the Educational Cultural Complex theater.

$63,800 in scholarships and awards will be given to adult learners who plan to transition to a career or to a credit college.

“Although this is a one-day event, the benefit of pursuing academia and earning a scholarship is a long-term achievement,” said Shakerra Carter, Ed.D., SDCCE’s Vice President of Student Services. “Many students who come to SDCCE are walking onto a college campus for the first time as an adult learner or are returning to the classroom for a career change or a second chance. This special day marks the opening of new doors for these deserving students.”

Scholarships and awards are made possible through the SDCCE Foundation. Fundraising is supported through donors, administrators, faculty, staff, and community partnerships.

The SDCCE Foundation received a $400,000 bequest from the late former adjunct faculty member, Mr. William Rosen in February 2020. Rosen’s trust will fund scholarships and supports for career education, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Promise students through 2025. This year’s William A. Rosen Scholarship winners are Megumi Aadahl, Ivan Aguas, Isabella Andrzejczyk, Amy Atterbury, Mina Bazrkar, Travis Beattie, Perla Becerra, Maria Manzo, and Maria Romero.

“The gift of higher education and workforce training is invaluable. Through the generosity of our donors, our students now have greater access to pursue their next steps and to build better futures for themselves and their families,” said Laurie Coskey, Ed.D., Executive Director of the SDCCE Foundation.

Among the scholarships and awards winners are Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient Noemi Garcia, Matthew La Caze Scholarship recipient Selene Ruffin, Faulconer Family Scholarship recipient Tania Melendez, and Acquired Brain Injury Program Anne Heller Scholarship recipient Andrew Lloyd. The Hal L. Coskey Memorial Award recipients include Apprenticeship Readiness Students Echo Fenner and Jeniffer Mendiola.

Students will also benefit from the San Diego Promise Scholarship, two years of tuition toward San Diego City, Mesa and Miramar colleges. SDCCE is the only adult education organization in the state with a Promise program that allows adult students who have returned to the classroom as adults 18+ to achieve a high school diploma/equivalency or workforce training and transition to college. Many other programs only offer the scholarship to recent high school graduates. Applications for SDCCE’s Promise scholarships continue to be accepted into May and awardees will be recognized during SDCCE’s commencement ceremony in June.

COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced for guests attending the ceremony in-person. The event will also be live streamed on the SDCCE Youtube page for those who are unable to attend.

To donate please visit, sdcce.edu/foundation