Dear SDCCE Community,
I hope everyone had a safe and restful Memorial Day weekend, as we paused to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. Shifting from reflection to celebration, this season also brings several meaningful milestones for our college community—including our recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, which underscored the vital importance of mental well-being for our students and employees.
Our 2025 commencement ceremony is only 10 days away where we will honor students receiving diplomas and certificates (10,761) across a wide range of programs. It will be a powerful reminder of the resilience, determination, and hope that define our students—and a celebration of the transformative impact education has in creating brighter futures for individuals, families, and our entire community.
Enrollment Updates
Spring Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 30,256 (2% less than this time last year, but a 0.05% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 71%, which is greater than last spring (66%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 15,722, a decrease of 5% compared to this time last spring (16,597) and a 0.03% increase from last week (15,718). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 2% greater than last spring (191.52 to 195.94).
Summer Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for summer stands at 11,597 (14% greater than this time last year), with a fill rate of 71%, which is greater than last summer (66%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 8,270, an increase of 11% compared to this time last summer (7,470). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 16% greater than last summer (69.77 to 80.73). View the enrollment report.
Join us for SDCCE’s Pride Month Kickoff: Joyful Resistance on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Educational Cultural Complex, as we celebrate identity, creativity, and community through a vibrant event filled with joy and solidarity.
Event Schedule:
- 10:00–10:45 AM | Flag Raising Ceremony (Front Lawn)
- 10:45–12:00 PM | Pride Art & Activities (South Lawn)
- 12:00–1:30 PM | Celebration with Performances & Lunch (South Patio)
All are welcome — no RSVP needed.
Additionally, we will be proudly raising the Intersex Inclusive Progressive Pride Flag at all 7 of our campuses in support of acceptance and inclusion for our LGBTQIA+ community throughout the month of June.
Our summer classes will begin June 9th! Reminder, Clothing and Textiles are not offering summer classes. These programs will return Fall 2025. Also, be on the lookout for our new advertisements on an MTS bus near you!
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates
At San Diego College of Continuing Education, we are committed to maintaining a campus environment that fosters inclusivity, equity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background or immigration status. The SIB Task Force was created to develop actionable steps to enhance support for our students in the current social climate. As a Task Force we are working on the current initiatives:
- We’re Here to Stay Program – A new effort focused on supporting students facing immigration-related challenges.
- Immigration Resources – Centralized access to information and tools addressing a wide range of immigration needs.
- Informational Events – A series of sessions hosted by SIB sub-committees to help students navigate immigration systems.
- Campus-Wide Resource List – A comprehensive guide to services, including asylum, parole, and legal support.
- Legal Consultations – One-on-one legal guidance, with $150 provided for the first session and discounted rates for ongoing representation.
I look forward to our next meeting, Wednesday, May 28, to further important conversations in achieving these goals.
San Diego College of Continuing Education proudly celebrated students who completed an intensive 11-week HVAC training program, offered in partnership with Lincoln High School. This hands-on program prepares students with real-world skills and a clear pathway to becoming certified HVAC technicians. Congratulations to all the graduates on this achievement and the bright futures ahead!
In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Month, our Flower Arranging Workshop—led by the Cultural Events Taskforce—offered students a relaxing and enjoyable opportunity to learn the basics of floral design. As a thoughtful finishing touch, students took home their beautiful arrangements—a sweet reminder of the creativity and connection shared during the event.
SDCCE Commencement will be held June 6, 2025 at 5 p.m., Spreckels Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park.
This year's Commencement, celebrating 111 years of service to San Diego by the San Diego College of Continuing Education, will honor students completing their high school diplomas & equivalencies, vocational certificates, and advanced ESL program certificates alongside graduates supported by our partners at the San Diego Unified School District Adult High School Diploma Program!
Visit the commencement webpage for more details.
If you're in need of regalia, please contact the Office of Student Affairs.
Commencement Volunteers: Thank you to everyone who signed up to volunteer. To help everyone prepare, we will hold two virtual meetings where you will receive your assignment and information for the event. It is strongly recommended that you attend at least one virtual meeting:
- Virtual Meetings – Thursday, May 29th @ 10:30am Zoom link and Wednesday, June 4th @ 1:30pm Zoom link
- In-Person Meeting – Thursday, June 5 at Balboa Park Organ Pavilion at 3:00 pm
From motorsports dealerships to mastering the art of welding — Carlos Anduaga’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. After years in construction, he discovered his true passion at San Diego College of Continuing Education. Now, he’s welding custom race parts, building parade floats, and forging his dream of becoming a motorsports fabricator. His hard work and persistence prove that it’s never too late to chase your goals — and turn them into reality. Read more about his inspiring journey in our News Room: sdcce.edu/newsroom
Last week, we proudly celebrated the dedication, passion, and lasting impact of our amazing, classified professionals at the annual Classified Professionals Awards! We recognized individuals who have contributed 5, 10, 20—even 30+ years of service to SDCCE. Your unwavering commitment is the backbone of our college community, and we are truly grateful for the vital role you play in supporting our students and advancing our mission. Thank you for all that you do! Check out more photos on SDCCE's Flickr.
The SDCCD has now launched virtual student parking permits! Students can sign on to myportal.sdccd.edu TODAY and purchase a virtual parking permit using a credit card*.
- No more waiting in long lines!
- No need to print or pick up a permit!
- No need to display a permit in your car’s window!
Permit pricing: $29 for summer; $40 each for fall and spring; $25 for students who qualify for financial aid.
*Cash purchases can still be made at the College Police Office, cash permit stations, or the Cashier's window on campuses. More information is available at sdccd.edu/parking
Remember tutoring is available for students, see the details below for enrollment support in available courses. Additionally, we’ve added morning hours on Wednesdays from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at ECC to better accommodate student schedules.
Course: ABED 445
CRN: 85664 (ECC)
ECC- Room 76
Mon & Wed 12 to 6PM
The following Friday 8AM to 1PM:
May 30th
Twenty-five Basic Needs lockers have been installed at the Mid-City Campus, providing secure storage solutions to support our students’ essential needs. We are continuing to expand our basic needs services at our campuses. Thank you to Administrative Services, Student Services, and our SDCCE Cares team for helping bring these lockers to fruition!
Check out the upcoming Be Well CCE support group opportunities to boost your well-being this semester!
Life in Living Color (LGBTQIA+)
Come join our bilingual support group twice a month to meet others, discuss relevant topics, and learn about resources for LGBTQIA+ students.
This group meets *BI-WEEKLY* on Mondays in person at the Cesar Chavez campus in room 205 or via Zoom.
Dates: 6/2/25, 6/16/25
Meeting ID: 867 6916 7653
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/86769167653
Real Relations Support Group
BeWell CCE wants to support you and your goals as you navigate the various interpersonal relationships in life. Some of the topics are included but not limited to: Communication, Boundaries, Self-Esteem, Core Beliefs/Values, Healthy/Unhealthy Relationship Traits, Positive Parenting/Discipline techniques and more.
The last Monday of the month is students only at 12:30PM.
Dates: 6/23/25
Meeting ID: 847 4447 3305
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/84744473305
Weekly Student Support Group
“This Thing Called Life” is hosted on Wednesdays for students only at 12:30PM.
Meeting ID: 884 0608 7923
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/88406087923
Weekly Employee Support Group
“Think it Through Thursdays” is hosted on Thursdays for employees only at 12:30PM.
Flex Credit Available
Meeting ID: 879 8336 9490
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/87983369490
The ECC Theatre Renovation is underway!
Please be on the lookout for new signs around campus outlining the construction and plan ahead as you get to ECC! The following dates reflect important changes to parking and pedestrian access near the construction site:
- Wednesday, June 5, 2025: Cones and No Parking signs placed in lot 3.
- Monday, June 9, 2025: Perimeter fence installation begins in lot 1 (Phase 1).
- Thursday, June 12, 2025: Cones and No Parking signs placed for upcoming parking lot 2 striping.
- Friday, June 13, 2025: Temporary striping will be done in parking lot 2.
- Monday, June 16, 2025: Main construction fencing installed around the construction zone (Phase 2).
- Monday, June 16, 2025: Temporary interior wall installed—foyer access will be closed from this point on.
Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date.
Several SDCCE team members are at the 37th Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) conference this week in New York City. NCORE provides a leading forum for higher education professionals to explore and address the complexities of human differences—including cultural, social, and personal identities—and their profound impacts on access, opportunity, and success. We look forward to bringing back the multicultural knowledge of NCORE back to our college.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week’s classified professional spotlight is Neill Kovrig. Neill served as Classified Senate President for 12 years, championing employee voices and leadership. As a student services technician, he also helped establish the ASCCE to support student life and leadership, within the college. Neill also plays a key role in planning commencement and scholarship events, and serves as SDCCE Foundation Board President, bringing further opportunities to our students.
We appreciate all of Neill’s service to the college and students!
Faculty Spotlight
This week’s Faculty Spotlight shines on counselors Janisha Street and Jeremy Garcia, who leads SDCCE’s mental health services with dedication and care.
Janisha joined SDCCE in 2021 after starting her journey as a City College intern. A first-generation college graduate with degrees from the Lincoln University, Liberty University, and Alliant International University, she is deeply passionate about mental health and empowering underserved students through a compassionate, collaborative approach.
Jeremy brings a strong foundation in mental health, holding degrees in Psychology and Counseling from San Diego State University. Deeply passionate about his work, he supports young adults with a person-centered, solution-focused approach that helps students build lives aligned with their values and identities.
We are truly grateful for the dedication and hard work Janisha and Jeremy have shown in supporting our students’ success and well-being year-round at the College of Continuing Education!
- The new lactation pods at the César Chávez and Mid-City campuses have been installed and are now available for use, providing a private, comfortable space for nursing parents.
- Counselor Marcia Grant spoke with ABC 10 about scholarships, highlighting valuable tips for the application process with new emerging technology.
- The Office of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness would like to remind all corresponding members of the Governance Committees, please send your Handbook page forms to Debi King at dking002@sdccd.edu no later than June 6, 2025. We appreciate all your help and support.
- The new SDCCE website will launch in the fall semester. Please continue to stay tuned for more details a part of our college-wide marketing and rebrand efforts.
- 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.
- For SDCCE swag and merch, visit the online store and start shopping today!
President's Updates
- I was filled with pride and joy to take part in San Diego College of Continuing Education’s recent Apprenticeship Readiness Program Graduation. It was truly inspiring to witness our students receive certificates marking the successful completion of rigorous, hands-on training programs—preparing them to enter the workforce as certified professionals with unionized jobs. A heartfelt thank you to the SDCCE Foundation, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and the San Diego County Building Trades Council, for their steadfast collaboration and support. Together, we are forging strong career pathways and transforming lives through equitable access to education and opportunity. View highlights of the event SDCCE's Flickr.
- I would like to acknowledge Haydee Zuniga, whose term is ending as the Student Trustee and ASCCE President. Along with City, Mesa, and Miramar Student Trustees, Haydee attended SDCCD board meetings, as well as participated in advocacy visits and represented her fellow students at various events. Student trustees participated in state and federal advocacy meetings that included trips to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Haydee also worked closely with the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), making sure noncredit students were included. Thank you, Haydee, for a job well done and your lasting legacy!
- Last week, I joined colleagues and our students in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month. Thank you to everyone who joined in and wore their green shirts. Mental Health Can’t Wait!
The Research Corner
This week, we invite you to explore the article Better together: Using course outcome data and learning communities to foster institutional change. A team of Monroe Community College faculty discovered highly inequitable results in their introductory geology course. With the construction of workshops for faculty to discuss the success rates of students in various classes, it was found that multiple courses had significantly inequitable results (though what exact way each course was inequitable varied). This paper covers the methods and policy the Monroe Community College faculty put into place to ease such inequities. You may read the article at https://doi.org/10.1002/cc.20532. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.
Walk with the President / President's Office Hours
This semester, I'm excited to offer a new opportunity to Walk with the President! If you’d rather take a stroll around the Educational Cultural Complex instead of a Zoom meeting, join me for a refreshing walk as we continue to prioritize wellness. Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Individual walks or zoom meetings will be 20 minutes and are available on a first come first-served basis. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please email sdccepresident@sdccd.edu for detailed information.
Lastly, you can utilize the anonymous sharing box. Your voice matters, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Best,
