Dear SDCCE Community,
I hope you enjoyed the Labor Day weekend. Welcome to the 2025 Fall Semester! With all the excitement from our Welcome Week festivities and campus celebrations, I hope you’re feeling energized and ready to dive into a strong semester. As we welcome both new and returning students, this is the perfect time to reaffirm our commitment to supporting their success, fostering a positive learning environment, and inspiring growth at every turn. Together, let’s make this semester one filled with achievement, connection, and opportunities for our students and our SDCCE community.
Enrollment Updates
Fall Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 24,033 (1% more than this time last year, and a 6% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 69%, which is less than last fall (73%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 13,438, a decrease of 1% compared to this time last fall (13,635) and a 5% increase from last week (12,767). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 6% greater than last fall (181.79 to 191.79). View report.
Summer Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for summer stands at 13,609 (5% less than this time last year), with a fill rate of 69%, which is less than last summer (78%). Headcount stands at 9,618, a decrease of 3% compared to this time last summer (9,886). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 11% greater than last summer (72.13 to 80.09).
Connect with the President
I'm excited to continue offering the 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.
Welcome Week was a huge success! Our SDCCE Outreach team and various programs welcomed motivated students, shared resources, academic tips, and campus support to kick off the semester strong—all while giving out handy SDCCE swag to celebrate the new year.
Student Trustee and President of San Diego College of Continuing Education Associated Students, Dr. Yahir Melendez draws on his experience as an immigrant from Venezuela and an English language learner aiming to represent, inspire, and empower his peers. The role is not just a title for Melendez, but a chance to address real student needs, support the large immigrant student population, and model a vocation of service for his children. With a background in leadership both abroad and in the U.S., he emphasizes dedication, passion, and the human connection in his work, believing that College of Continuing Education is a home where teachers, staff, and students come together to help one another.
Southeastern Connect microtransit pilot has recently launched! This new community-designed service—free for the first three months—provides zero-emission, on-demand rides, making it easier for residents to travel affordably, safely, and sustainably within our neighborhoods.
Southeastern Connect is a new on-demand mobility option that will connect students and families to key destinations within Mt. Hope, Chollas View, Emerald Hills, and more.
As shared at Convocation, our new Mid-City Campus building was purchased!
Location: 5322 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego — just over one mile from our current Mid-City Campus.
This new site will bring expanded classroom space, modern facilities, parking, and improved access for students. With its convenient location along El Cajon Blvd., the campus will serve as a vibrant hub for education, career training, and community connection.
Stay tuned for updates on the official opening date!
Show Your SDCCE Pride!
Explore our official online store for a wide selection of SDCCE swag and merchandise—from cozy hoodies, sweatshirts to bucket hats. For SDCCE swag and merch, visit the online store and start shopping today!
The SDCCE family gave a warm welcome to Dr. Bita Bookman as our new Dean of ESL and Citizenship! With over 20 years in higher education and nearly a decade in the California Community College system, she brings expertise in adult education, program development, and strategic leadership. At Santa Rosa Junior College, she led 100+ ESL courses across 10 sites, boosting enrollment by expanding access and streamlining student pathways. We are grateful to have her join our community and look forward to the positive impact she will make at the college. Thank you to all of the ESL faculty and other employees who showed up to welcome Dean Bookman!
ECC Theatre Renovation
The ECC Theatre Renovation is underway! Signs have been placed around campus outlining the construction. Below are some recent updates:
- Heavy demolition of the east side main entrance stairs was completed this week to make way for new stairs and a future open concept lobby. In addition, the cinder block wall next to the kiln in the ceramics area has also been removed to make way for the new outdoor patio area for the Phase 2 community room.
- Progress is being made as to the safety of the security of the campus and construction areas. New temporary fencing will be installed by the first week of September. Along the westside fence line new security cameras and lighting will be installed to keep employees, students and community safe.
- Construction work will generally occur Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Loud Noise Notice signage will be posted throughout the campus to ensure awareness. No construction activities will be taking place on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025.
PCL is doing their best to minimize and manage any disruptions to college operations, especially as we are approaching the start of the fall semester.
Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date.
As a reminder, students can sign on to myportal.sdccd.edu 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 a reduced price.
*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
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates
The Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force meets monthly to further our conversations on continuing to implement proactive strategies for tracking students who are facing immigration challenges, as well as the importance of reporting any sightings of ICE on campus to the Chancellor or District General Counsel. Reports of ICE near campus (off campus) should first be directed to the COS, who, in collaboration with the Deans, will take appropriate and informed next steps to address the situation.
We are also implementing more support for employees who are assisting students during these situations. These efforts aim to provide space for reflection, support, and continued access to critical resources. Other items that are on our list is the development of mock trainings to deescalate tense matters and active training scenarios around navigating through challenging situations with ICE. I look forward to our next meeting to further these important conversations.
Please take a moment to review the new safety cards for navigating ICE incidents on campus, which were distributed during Convocation. These resources are designed to guide employees on the steps for reporting.
Be Well CCE
Join us for the Grand Opening of the Be Well CCE Mental Health Center tomorrow, September 3, from 9–11 a.m. at the Educational Cultural Complex, Room 177. This new center is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our students by providing a safe space and access to mental health resources. The opening event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, opportunities to meet the support team, and information on services available to help students thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week’s Classified Professional Spotlight features Ricardo Madueno Montanez, Instructional Assistant for Automotive and proud member of the Classified Senate. In his role, Ricardo goes beyond providing technical support—he works side by side with students in the Automotive Technology program, guiding them through hands-on training, troubleshooting challenges, and building confidence in their skills. His commitment ensures students not only gain industry knowledge but also feel supported and prepared for real-world success. Through his service in the Classified Senate, Ricardo also helps represent the voices of classified professionals, strengthening the SDCCE community as a whole.
Faculty Spotlight
This week’s Spotlight shines on DSPS Faculty, Lindsey Cohen, who was recently honored as an Unsung Hero at Fall Convocation! Lindsey is a passionate advocate for creating equitable opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Her leadership and work are gaining national recognition; her efforts were selected by the National Deaf Center for Partnerships in Career Readiness Initiative to improve employment outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Lindsey’s commitment is helping to break barriers, open doors, and inspire students to achieve their goals.
- 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.
- Take a minute to fill out our Convocation Survey. We truly value your input—please know that your responses are confidential and anonymous.
SDCCE Foundation News
SDCCE Foundation's Hoop Hysteria Fundraiser will now take place in Spring 2026. Be on the lookout for more updated information!
President's Updates
The VPs and I visited all 7 SDCCE campuses to personally welcome back our amazing students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Their visits celebrated the start of Fall Semester, delivered tokens of appreciation, and set the tone for a year of growth, collaboration, and student success.
I am deeply grateful to have received a recognition plaque from the White Legacy Youth Baseball Community Complex Fund Corporation. This honor reflects not just me, but the collective efforts of the San Diego College of Continuing Education in supporting youth through appreciation, sponsorship, and community partnership. Many thanks to the Director, Mr. Dwayne Hill for presenting this honorable award to us.
The Research Corner
This week we invite you to explore the study Bringing Data Out of the Closet and Toward Equity: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Collection and Usage Practices in California Community Colleges. This exploratory study by the RP Group (Research, Planning & Professional Development for California Community Colleges) dives into if and how Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data is collected by California community colleges. The study reaches the conclusion that SOGI data is both heavily under-collected and that, when it is collected, it is often collected isolated from other variables, limiting the data's ability to be useful. This document may be accessed here: Bringing Data Out of the Closet and Toward Equity Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.
Best,
