The San Diego College of Continuing Education Foundation, the critical fundraising arm for one of the largest tuition-free adult education institutions in California, has hired Dr. Tami Foy as its new CEO/Executive Director.

Dr. Foy has served an untold number of students during her more than two decades as an administrator at Southern California colleges and universities and comes to the Foundation after three years with the County of San Diego, of which the past year has been in the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs. Dr. Foy is also a long-time resident of Southeast San Diego so this community is near and dear to her heart.

“The San Diego College of Continuing Education is a leading provider of free workforce training for our region and I am honored to be serving as executive director of the college’s Foundation, expanding the nonprofit’s donor base, and ensuring ample support for any student from any background who walks through our doors looking for the skills training they need to embark on or further their career,” said Dr. Foy. “I want to thank the Foundation Board and College of Continuing Education President Dr. Tina M. King for their faith and trust in me. I am excited to join a dynamic team in service to students.” 

Dr. Foy’s appointment was confirmed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors on January 29.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt nonprofit supporting and advancing educational opportunities at the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) and plays an integral role in ensuring the tuition-free that is the adult education arm of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) continues to thrive. The Foundation includes the highly successful Employee Training Institute (ETi), a consulting and contract education arm that provides high-quality training solutions and services to customers in both public and private organizations. 

“The Foundation Board is excited to welcome Dr. Foy to the SDCCE Foundation family – her wealth of experience in advocacy, supporting grant-based programs and services, and in developing support networks for student and community success are all critical to ensuring our continued growth,” said Foundation President Neill Kovrig. “She brings an excellent sense of what our community needs and she understands who we are as an institution.”

SDCCE Foundation goals over the next 18 months include expanding ETi programs and services into diverse sectors across the region; growing and diversifying the Foundation’s donor base; developing a comprehensive strategic plan in line with those developed by the college and the SDCCD; and expanding and diversifying staff.

As executive director, Dr. Foy leads an organization serving students from diverse cultural backgrounds, various socioeconomic situations, and across the spectrum of genders, abilities, and orientations. She reports to the SDCCE Foundation Board of Directors and, under the leadership of the college President Tina M. King, she will lead grant development and scholarship campaigns; build new relationships with business, industry, labor and the larger community; and serve as a visionary in addressing the rapidly changing workforce needs of industry leaders through new technology, programs and services. She also will oversee the ETi. 

A former part-time instructor at higher education institutions ranging from Azusa Pacific University to California State University, Fullerton, Dr. Foy has also worked as a District Manager in Instructional Services at North Orange Community College District, Executive Director at the Compton Education Foundation, Director of Research Development at Cal State Fullerton, a Research Administrator at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and – most recently – as Group Program Manager for the county Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs. She holds a Ph.D. in education from Claremont Graduate University, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration from National University.

Dr. Foy succeeds Dr. Kay Faulconer Boger, who served as the Foundation’s Interim CEO/Executive Director since July 1, 2023. 

“I cannot thank Dr. Boger enough for her steady hand in leading our Foundation over the past seven months during a time of transition, playing a critical role in helping the Foundation to stay steady and grow staffing capacity during this time,” said Dr. King. “Her commitment to our students served as a template for others to emulate. I now look forward to the next era of our Foundation with Dr. Tami Foy. Dr. Foy is the right person, at the right time to do this important work for our college and community.”