San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) will proudly celebrate National Constitution Week, an annual week-long observance in the United States, from September 17 through September 23. The College invites students and the community to participate in events that honor the Constitution, highlight civic engagement, and to celebrate the college’s long legacy of supporting new Americans.

Continuing Education will host Constitution Day Civic Engagement Fairs at both its Cesar Chavez Campus on Tuesday, September 16 and at Mid-City Campus on Wednesday, September 17.

Attendees can learn how to participate in the decision-making process through the College’s Campus Council. Meet local community groups, including the League of Women Voters, that support the principles of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and democracy. Join student clubs dedicated to community service, organized with support from the College of Continuing Education Foundation.

Legal clinics for students will be offered through the college’s Immigrant-based Support Program at Mid-City Campus on September 16 and at Cesar Chavez Campus on September 30.

In honor of National Constitution Citizenship Day on September 17, instructor Mechelle Perrott will lead two citizenship classes at Mid-City Campus. Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue as the lessons focus on the history and significance of the Constitution.

Dating back to 1914, the College of Continuing Education has provided immigrants and refugees with the tools to become U.S. citizens through its free Citizenship and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. These classes, among the first offered by the college over 110 years ago, remain a cornerstone of the institution's mission today. Classes guide students through the naturalization process and help them prepare for their interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department.

The experience has been transformative for Zahra Ahmed, a 28-year-old immigrant from Sudan. “I wanted to come to the United States for a better life for my children and me,” said Ahmed. After enrolling in Continuing Education's citizenship classes, she successfully passed her naturalization exam. A graduate of Sudan International University in economics and financial and banking studies, she now aims to evaluate her degree in the U.S. and pursue a master’s and doctorate in her field.

In addition to free classes, Continuing Education provides an Immigrant-based Support Program, an on-campus center designed for adult students who are immigrants, refugees and English learners. ISP offers referrals for free health and legal assistance, peer-to-peer tutoring, and a pipeline to apply for the San Diego Promise scholarship.

In spring 2025, approximately 45 students passed their naturalization interviews with support from the College of Continuing Education, with an average of 40–50 students per semester successfully completing the process.

Continuing Education is now enrolling students for Citizenship and ESL classes at its seven campuses throughout San Diego. For more information and to register, visit sdcce.edu.