Dear SDCCE Community,

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families affected by the senseless act of violence that targeted the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. On Saturday January 21, 2023, the lives of eleven innocent people were taken during a mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio during a Chinese New Year celebration. SDCCE stands in solidary with them, and our AAPI students, employees, and community members. San Diego County is home to the largest AAPI population in the nation. SDCCE has been serving a student population that includes Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants since our very beginning—more than 100 years ago in 1914. We welcome, honor and respect the contributions from this vibrant community that support our commitment to diversity—a commitment to being a safe place for 40,000 racially and ethnically diverse students to learn, and for faculty, and staff to work, with zero tolerance for hate crimes and social stigmas.

Together we stand united in support and safety of AAPI populations. Thank you for being an ally for the AAPI community and for fostering safe, inclusive, welcoming classrooms and workspaces for all students, administration, faculty and staff. All are welcome.

Enrollment Updates

Enrollment continues to be strong for the fall semester. SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 26,639 (16% greater than this time last year), with a fill rate of 74%, which is greater than last fall (66%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,076, an increase of 29% compared to this time last fall (10,909). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester are 9% higher than last fall (172.81 to 158.08). Spring classes will begin on February 1, 2023. SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 16,373 (27% greater than this time last year, and a 20% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 69%, which is greater than last spring (61%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 9,549, an increase of 37% compared to this time last spring (6,978) and a 20% increase to last week (7,940). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester are 9% higher than last spring (174.78 to 160.03).

Campus Ready

Effective December 19, 2022, the District will no longer require face coverings on district property. To learn more visit SDCCD's News Center and visit SDCCE’s Campus Ready web page.

Campus Updates

• I look forward to seeing you for Institution Day next Monday, January 30th at ECC. If you have not done so already, please RSVP here by January 25th as there will be merchandise giveaways and a President's Luncheon. Registration is mandatory to attend.
• SDCCE’s Clothing and Textiles department welcomed guest artist, Deborah Kruger, to West City Campus last week! Deborah hosted a series of textile creation training workshops with upcycled materials. View photo album here.
• Deborah will return on January 31st to be the keynote speaker at SDCCE’s BIG MAKE Capstone Event! This will be held at the Educational Cultural Complex theatre from 1:30-3:30 pm. An exhibit will also be created of all the BIG MAKE work from the Fall CLTX classes and these workshops. The exhibit will be open on January 31st from 3 to 7 pm at ECC in room 134.
• Myself and the SDCCE Foundation have begun planning for SDCCE’s annual Coretta Scott King brunch benefit. The event will be held on at the Educational Cultural Complex on June 10th at 11:30 a.m. Stay tuned for more details!
• The SDCCE IT Department worked with 2 students from SDCCE’s IT certificate program to execute the laptop roll out for the Admin team. Tim Saylar and Anthony Vargas worked with the IT program to identify two students, one former and one current, to support their roll out efforts. It provided a tremendous opportunity to build hands on IT skills and a valuable addition to their resumes.
• Jim McElree, IT Technician at SDCCE’s North City Campus, provided tremendous supports to the new Dean Relocation Program for that campus.
• I will be a featured panelist at the Black Educators Networking Event on February 10th at San Diego City College. The event is open to everyone and will feature area leaders in K12 and higher education. RSVP here.
• The SDCCE Foundation received more funding from the Lucky Duck Foundation and the Dana Foundation for SDCCE’s Pathways program to support students facing housing insecurity. Due to the success of this program the SDCCE Foundation has won a grant for two years for $573,000.
• In June, an SDCCE Student enrolled in Pathways will be hired to learn how to become a case manager and work full-time with benefits for the remainder of the grant period. SDCCE and the SDCCE Foundation collaborated on an end of the year Stars on the Rise Scholarship giving campaign, which exceeded the fundraising goals.
• The SDCCE has launched SDCCE CARES, a comprehensive basic needs program designed to help students meet fundamental needs of food, housing, transportation, childcare, health care, and mental wellness. Students are connected to dignified, accessible, and timely resources that will allow them to live well and thrive while completing their educational goals.
• Open enrollment has begun for the spring semester. Classes at SDCCE begin February 1.
• The 2023 Stars of Rise scholarship application is now open for SDCCE students at sdcce.edu/scholarships. Encourage your students to apply by Tuesday, January 31st at 6:30pm.
• Institution Day will take place on January 30th and Flex Day on January 31st. Professional Development workshops will be available online, in person, hyflex.
• This past week, I had the pleasure of serving on a panel at the AACC Workforce Development Institute (WDI), titled: Engaging and Serving Historically Disconnected Students. This conference informs the work that our programs do in strengthening our economy and workforce. Please see the SDCCE's Economic Impact Analysis Executive Summary here to review the impact our college makes on the region.

President's Office Hours

President's Office Hours will resume in February! I look forward to connecting again ahead of the spring semester. Keep an eye out for the new link for the sign-up sheet on the next weekly update.

Best,