Dear SDCCE Community,
Our 2025 Commencement Ceremony is just four days away, and we are filled with anticipation as we prepare to honor this year's graduating class. Please join us on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, as we recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our students. This year, 10,761 diplomas and certificates will be awarded across a diverse range of programs—each representing a story of perseverance, growth, and unwavering commitment to personal and academic success.
This celebration is not only a tribute to the resilience and determination of our students, but also a powerful affirmation of the transformative power of education in shaping brighter futures—for individuals, families, and our entire community.
For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be live-streamed via our YouTube Channel. Visit the commencement webpage for more details.
Important Reminders
- Regalia: If you are in need of regalia, please contact the Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible.
- Volunteer Information: Thank you to all who have volunteered to support this special occasion. Please note the final virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. The in-person volunteer meeting will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 3:00 p.m. at the Organ Pavilion.
- Graduate Rehearsal: All graduates are strongly encouraged to attend the Commencement Rehearsal on Thursday, June 5, at 2:00 p.m. at the Organ Pavilion. This is a valuable opportunity to ask questions, walk through the facility, and receive last-minute updates regarding the event.
- Per City of San Diego policy, no balloons are allowed in the park and guests with balloons will be turned away. Finding a spot to park in the park will be challenging, but ample parking is available in the Inspiration Point parking lot across Park Boulevard via Presidents Way. Please also check the weather forecast the day of the event and be prepared for all possibilities. Looking forward to seeing you on June 6th!
Enrollment Updates
Spring Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 30,279 (2% less than this time last year, but a 0.1% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 71%, which is greater than last spring (66%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 15,733, a decrease of 5% compared to this time last spring (16,596) and a 0.1% increase from last week (15,722). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 2% greater than last spring (191.47 to 195.94).
Summer Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for summer stands at 12,959 (10% greater than this time last year, and a 12% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 78%, which is greater than last summer (76%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 9,147, an increase of 6% compared to this time last summer (8,619) and a 11% increase from last week (8,270). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 15% greater than last summer (70.18 to 80.94). View report.
Today, we hosted the Pride Month Kickoff: Joyful Resistance, at the Educational Cultural Complex!
The event included a Flag Raising Ceremony, Pride Art & Activities, Celebration with Performances & Lunch.
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.
All are welcome to march with SDCCE and the SDCCD at the annual Pride Parade on Saturday, July 19th. Register to walk in the Pride parade using this form.
Our summer classes will begin June 9th! Reminder, Clothing and Textiles are not offering summer classes. These programs will return Fall 2025.
Additionally the fall class schedule search is now available, view it online.
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.
Following our May 28 meeting, VPSS Carter sent out a communication regarding Guidance for Supporting Students Affected by Recent Immigration Policy Changes. Do not provide students with legal advice; instead, refer students to professionals trained in immigration law. If a student needs assistance or a safe place to ask questions, please direct them to sdcceimmigrantsupport@sdccd.edu and make note of the upcoming sessions to support students and community members:
PANA Immigration Legal Clinic
Tuesday, June 3 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Mid-City Campus – Room 316
HELS Immigration Legal Clinic
Tuesday, June 17 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mid-City Campus – Room 316
Congratulations to our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Spring 2025 cohort! They were recently honored at the Pinning Ceremony held on May 30 at the Cesar E. Chavez campus. Kudos to all of our graduates—the newest healthcare professionals—ready to step into the field with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact!
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
In the coming weeks, the San Diego Community College District will launch SDCCDsafe, a free app that turns your smartphone into a safety tool. Safety at all SDCCD campuses and facilities is a top priority, and this new app will provide students and employees with another way to protect themselves with such features as:
- Placing a direct call to College Police or the 9-8-8 Crisis Lifeline
- Setting up a virtual “Friend Walk” so a friend or family member can make sure you arrive at your destination safely – whether to a classroom, a parking lot, or even somewhere off campus
- Reporting an anonymous tip
The app will be available for download from the Apple App or Google Play stores in mid- to late-June. A notice will be sent out when the app is live.
More details about the app and other District safety services are available at sdccd.edu/safety.
Be Well CCE
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: 6/16/25
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 attended the 37th Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) conference last 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.
The Speedy S.L.O. Newsletter is packed with updates, reflections, and even a few smiles from the semester. Please read and enjoy.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible SLO Committee members for their leadership and dedication: Esteban Alvarado, Diana Black-Tucker, Lee Blackman, Margaret Braun, Marne Foster, Kirsten Lachenmayr, Margarita Posner, Jesus Rivas, Michelle Schauder, and Stacy Surwilo.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week’s Classified Professional Spotlight is on Hector Santana-Tea, Student Services Assistant at the North City Campus. As a key member of the student services team, he helps maintain college databases, student records, and other essential systems, providing valuable support to both students and faculty. Additionally, Hector creates and develops helpful tutorial videos and visuals. Thank you, Hector, for your dedication and support!
Faculty Spotlight
This week’s Faculty Spotlight shines on Diana Vera Alba. She has taught ESL at San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) since 2018 as a Hybrid, HyFlex, Distance, and Online instructor. She is currently the ESL Assistant Program Chair at the Cesar Chavez campus. Diana has held many leadership rolls at SDCCE including OER and CAEP Coordinator, Academic Senate Vice-President and Secretary, ESL Teachers Using Technology (TUT) Co-Chair, and OER Liaison for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She is also a Subject Matter Expert for OTAN, having facilitated training on topics such as Canvas, Open Educational Resources (OER’s), and Teaching with Technology webinars. Thank you Diana, we are fortunate to have you at SDCCE!
- Check out this recent San Diego Union Tribune article, which features our English for Parents partnership with Fay Elementary. Thank you to ESL Faculty member Ildi Carrillo for helping lead this work.
- 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 Jessica Luedtke at jluedtke@sdccd.edu no later than June 6, 2025. We appreciate all your help and support.
- Dr. Lisa Carulli, Site Compliance Officer for San Diego College of Continuing Education, will be off contract from June 16–30 and July 21–24, 2025. During this time, please contact Dean Michele Madrid Novak (mnovak@sdccd.edu) for any Site Compliance matters, including conflict resolution, harassment or discrimination complaints, and EEO Plan-related reviews or training. Thank you to Dr. Carulli for her dedication, and to Dean Novak for her continued support—your efforts are deeply appreciated.
- 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
Our annual Classified S.T.A.R. Staff Training and Retention Conference is approaching soon on June 12! Last week myself, the Leadership Team, and our Classified Senate President Dr. Esther Anthony-Thomas, visited all 7 campuses to celebrate our esteemed Classified Professionals and to share about the importance of S.T.A.R. We can’t wait to shine a light on the work that YOU do, that is absolutely central to our mission.
The Research Corner
This week, we invite you to explore the Student Equity Access Dashboard by our Office of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness. Inspired by the California Adult Education Program Fact Sheet, this dashboard takes a closer look at the student population of SDCCE in the context of the overall population of the city, the county, and other smaller regions in the city of San Diego. By breaking the data down by demographic group and population need, we can identify those facing disproportionate impact in their access to SDCCE and highlight any inequities that our institution could further address. You may explore the Student Equity Access Dashboard on Microsoft Power BI. 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,
