Dear SDCCE Community,

This week is AANAPISI Week, an annual celebration that honors the impact and achievements of Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students and colleagues, while providing a powerful platform to uplift and support one another. Let's help ensure our students stay engaged, motivated, and empowered to make their voices heard, advocate for one another,and shape positive change within our community. Together, we foster a culture of participation, empowerment, and growth. This week, we are also excited to host our Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month Celebration, as we continue building momentum and honoring the diverse voices that strengthen our community.

Enrollment Updates

Fall Update SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 26,071 (1% less than this time last year, and a 2% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 69%, which is less than last fall (75%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,025, a decrease of 3% compared to this time last fall (14,468) and a 1% increase from last week (13,841). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 7% greater than last fall (183.22 to 196.40). View the enrollment report .

Chancellor’s Forum

Thank you all for attending the Chancellor's Forum. The engagement of our college community plays a vital role in shaping the future of our District. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive, and innovative path forward for students and our CE community. Thank you to Chancellor Smith for his advocacy and support.

Save the Date: SDCCD Town Hall

The SDCCD Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, November 5, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. at SDCCE’s North City Campus. This is a valuable opportunity to hear important district updates, ask questions, and engage in conversations that shape the future of our college community.

Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Save the date for our Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month Celebration Event on Wednesday, September 24 at the Cesar E. Chavez campus from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Enjoy cultural performances, music and lunch will be provided. Everyone is welcome!

Stay tuned for more events and celebrations throughout the month and year ahead!

Questions? Contact the Cultural Events Planning Committee at sdcce_cec@sdccd.edu

Our Constitution Day Civic Engagement Fair was a success at both César Chávez and Mid-City! We enjoyed connecting with students eager to learn about civic engagement, discover ways to make their voices heard, and stay active in their communities. The fair placed focus on the power of student involvement in shaping meaningful change on campus and beyond. Read more about Constitution Day in the SDCCE News Room.

Hosted by SDCCE Professional Development and DEIAA Coordinator Esteban Alvarado, in collaboration with the District Professional Development Department, we invite you to join us this fall for a series of community conversations inspired by Tim Wise’s Fall Convocation address.

Connect with colleagues, share insights, and explore community resilience, social change, and DEIAA initiatives at SDCCE.

The first conversation will be Friday, September 26, at César Chávez Campus (Room 101/103). Food and beverages will be served at 12:30 pm, with the conversation starting at 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm.

Can’t make it in September? Join us at a future session:

• Friday, October 24 at ECC (Room TBD)
• Friday, November 7 at Mid-City (Room 203)
• A virtual option will also be offered later this fall.

Please register at the link provided to be included in the food headcount: Community Conversations RSVP Form

Be Well CCE

While September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, it also offers us an important reminder of the power of care, connection, and resilience. In the midst of so much happening across the country, it is essential that we remain mindful of how we can best support one another. Healing begins when we come together, acknowledge challenges, and lean on the resources available to us. I

encourage you to make use of the services offered through our Be Well Mental Health Center and to seek out opportunities—both big and small—to show up for one another. By doing so, we can carry this semester forward with strength, compassion, and hope. Please keep in mind of the weekly Mental Health Resource Support Group for students and constituents — see details below:

• This Thing Called Life , Wednesdays at 12:30 PM; this session is specifically for students, please encourage them to email Be Well CCE for the Zoom link.
• Think it Through Thursdays , specifically for faculty and classified professionals to express, de-stress, and re-fuel beginning at 12:30 PM. Join the session at the Zoom link; Meeting ID: 868 0187 2407

Come join our Be Well CCE counselors Tuesday, September 23 at 12:30 P.M. to discuss the warning signs of a suicide crisis, and how to respond in our Bilingual Suicide Prevention Training. Those who attend will have a chance to ask questions and learn about local resources. This training will be provided in both English and Spanish.

Where?
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 4713 3154

For questions or accommodations, contact Be Well CCE at bewellsdcce@sdccd.edu

In celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, we’re highlighting pioneers in the community who have made significant strides in mental health. Their work in advancing cultural competency, recognizing the importance of family dynamics, and addressing the psychosocial aspects of treatment has helped shape the way mental health care is delivered in Hispanic communities.

Counseling Services and Workshops

We have several services available to share with students to contribute to student success at SDCCE, please view the complete list here.

Career Workshops

Two upcoming workshops hosted by SDCCE Career Counselors will help students explore career paths and create strong, effective resumes. Be sure to share this opportunity with students!

Workshop 1: Your Best Career Fit

Wednesday, September 24 | 11:00 AM | Zoom

• SDCCE Programs Overview
• Career Development Process
• Job vs. Career
• Career Assessments
• Register via Handshake or Zoom

Workshop 2: Crafting the Perfect Resume

Thursday, September 25 | 11:00 AM | ECC Campus B-101 & Zoom

• How HR reviews resumes
• Choosing the right format
• Highlighting skills & experience
• Industry-specific keywords
• Register via Handshake or Zoom

Gain insights for career planning and strengthen job applications. If there are any questions, please email sdccecareerservices@sdccd.edu .

ECC Theatre Renovation

The ECC Theatre Renovation is underway! Signs have been placed around campus outlining the construction. Below are some recent updates:

• Demolition activities of both interior and exterior spaces continue throughout the month of September.
• Abatement in the audience chamber is complete.
• Four new disabled parking spaces are now added on the east side of campus. The district will finalize additional spaces as needed.
• New security cameras on the west lawn will be installed over the next two weeks.
• 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.

PCL is doing their best to minimize and manage any disruptions to college operations.

Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date with the progress via livestream.

Thank you to our Theatre Director, Silvia Nogales, for playing a pivotal role in the theatre renovation and for keeping us informed on its progress. You can now follow the theatre on Facebook and Instagram @Educational Cultural Complex Theatre & Community Room.

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 on Wednesday, September 24 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.

Tutoring & Learning Center

The Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) is here to help students succeed in their classes. The following services are offered:

• 1:1 and Group Academic Tutoring – Get guidance to better understand assignments and projects.
• Digital Literacy Support for Learning – Learn how to access their student portal, Canvas, and Zoom classes.
• Study Space & Small Library – Quiet areas to focus, study, and find helpful resources.
• Laptops - use of laptops in the TLC.
• Learning Workshops – Build skills to stay on track and excel in their coursework.

The TLC is for enrolled SDCCE students and focused on academic support and learning. While students can get assistance with course-related assignments, please note TLC tutors and faculty are not able to provide technical support or troubleshooting (i.e. hardware, software, access issues related to account or campus solution issues that require a IT Help Desk Ticket), or help with personal applications, legal paperwork, or financial documents or processes.

This semester we are located at the following:

• ECC , Room 76: Mondays & Wednesdays from 9 am to 6 pm; Tuesdays from 9 am to 5 pm, Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and Fridays from 8:30 am to 1 pm.
• MCC , Room 317: Mondays - Thursdays 12 pm to 5 pm.
• NEW this Fall, the TLC at Chavez , Room 317: Starting October 27, 2025 , Mondays 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

Encourage students to visit the TLC to discover how we can support their learning journey.

Stop by a Tech Hub for Single Sign On Support!

Need help with the new Single-Sign On (SSO) system or general tech assistance? Stop by a Tech Hub at our ECC or Mid-City campuses!

Starting October 13, the District will expand Single Sign-On (SSO) to include mySDCCD Login. You’ll be able to securely access these systems with your SDCCD email credentials—no more separate logins for each application.

The Tech Hub is designed to provide walk-up technology services to our students, faculty, and staff. Tech Bars are open at the following locations:

• Educational Cultural Complex from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Mid-City Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., & 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Classified Professional Spotlight

This week’s Classified Spotlight goes to our Administrative V to the Vice President of Administrative Services, Patricia (Patty) Lopez!

Patty began her journey at SDCCD as a student in 2013, later working in the NANCE ESL Program before becoming a contract employee in 2017. For the past seven years, she has proudly supported the community under VP Sabanos.

A dedicated Classified Senate member, Patty advocates for classified professionals and has led creative projects like the ceramics fundraiser for scholarships. Known for her creativity, she enjoys arts and crafts, interior design, and working with fresh flowers.

Outside of work, Patty values family, friends, and her pets, Bailey and Siggi. She supports causes like the Humane Society, loves to travel, and is known for her humor and storytelling. We are grateful for her dedication and the joy she brings to CE!

Faculty Spotlight

This week’s Faculty Spotlight shines on Emeritus Instructor, Tara Gilboy! Tara has inspired students through her passion for teaching, helping them find their voice and confidence while enriching the college community. Beyond the classroom, she is the author of "Unwritten" (2018) and its sequel "Rewritten" (2020)—with "Unwritten" earning the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Middle Grade Fantasy. Her braided essay “Beneath the House” will also be published in the Cimarron Review in 2026. We are grateful for her dedication and proud to have her as part of our college community.

The digital version of our 2024–2025 Annual Report is now available online, highlighting the milestones and achievements from the past year. Take a look here.

• 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.
• All current students and employees are invited to share their perspectives on AI in a survey open through September 30 . Whether you use AI or not, your voice matters. Take the survey today at bit.ly/sdccdaisurvey2025 .

SDCCE Foundation News

• SDCCE Foundation's Hoop Hysteria Fundraiser will now take place in Spring 2026. Be on the lookout for more updated information!
• The SDCCE Foundation recently welcomed a new board member Mabi Castro, who currently serves as Chief Impact Officer at Lifeline Community Services. We look forward to the expertise and contributions she will bring to our Foundation board.

President's Updates

Myself and the Executive President’s Cabinet had an excellent kickoff meeting with District Architect Lance Lareau, along with teams from Gafcon, DPR Construction, and HGW Architecture, to discuss the West City Campus Expansion project—one of the key projects under the Measure HH Bond. We are thrilled to launch this important project and look forward to the exciting developments ahead for West City!

I recently launched the Weekly President’s Message social media edition to share quick, essential campus updates that keep the SDCCE community informed and connected.

The Research Corner