Dear SDCCE Community,
Tomorrow marks an important day for our community—Election Day!
At SDCCE, we believe that civic engagement is a cornerstone of education and community growth. Voting provides each of us with the opportunity to help shape the future of our city, our state, and the values we share as a community.
I encourage everyone to take part in making their voices heard. Every vote matter, and together we can continue building a more informed, empowered, and connected San Diego.
Enrollment Updates
Fall Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 28,363 (3% less than this time last year, and a 0.2% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 68%, which is less than last fall (77%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 15,018, a decrease of 3% compared to this time last fall (15,426) and a 1% increase from last week (14,926). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 7% greater than last fall (185.15 to 198.38). View report.
On October 17th, the region kicked off the second Strong Workforce Program Counselor's Institute. The Counselor's Institute seeks to help counselors observe and discuss their practices to make data-informed decisions and changes. This iteration of the Counselor’s Institute includes counselors from general, CalWORKS, DSPS, Career, and Affinity counseling. Our own Edith Quintero gave a talk at the kick-off as an alum of the first iteration, discussing what she learned and what changes counselors undertook as a result of the institute.
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.
Reminder, enrollment for Spring 2026 courses begins on November 17—encourage students to save this date and get ready to enroll!
Thank you to everyone who stands behind San Diego Promise, helping to create opportunities and drive student success.
Last week, the ECC lawn got a spooky twist as students joined ASCCE for a day of pumpkin painting, costumes, and pizza! Between the laughs, creativity, and festive energy, it was a Halloween hangout to remember.
The SDCCD Campus Climate Survey is open through Nov. 14., administered by the independent RP Group. I invite you to share your experiences, honest feedback and help strengthen our commitment to equity, inclusion, and a supportive campus environment. Check your email from research@rpgroup.org or rpgroupsurvey@rpgroup.org for your survey link. I highly encourage everyone to participate in this survey. Please also encourage students that are enrolled in Fall 2025 to take this survey as well.
Join me and the Executive President’s Cabinet during the upcoming campus visits for an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and hear the latest college updates—over coffee or ice cream. The next visit will be at North City Campus from 12 to 1pm on Thursday, November 6 over some ice cream. Please join us for any of the visits listed!
CE MediaFest 2025
The San Diego College of Continuing Education's Communications and Creative Services team is proud to present CE MediaFest 2025!
The tour held at Mid-City last week was a success! Their next visit will be at North City Campus on Thursday, November 6 in the MPR from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Don't miss out on getting your free headshots, program interviews, video promotions, exclusive swag items, and more!
Take a peek at more photos from our photobooth!Take a peek at more photos from our photobooth!
The SDCCD has partnered with TimelyCare to expand access to high-quality mental health support for enrolled students. Through this partnership, students can connect with licensed counselors virtually, access 24/7 on-demand support, and explore wellness tools designed to meet their unique needs. The goal is to provide timely, flexible, and efficient care that helps students manage stress, maintain balance, and stay focused on their academic and personal success. Encourage students to get started and register with their SDCCD.edu student email to access services. View our new landing page with more details on TimelyCare.
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. We invite you to share and join the relevant 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
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.
Rising Scholars
Throughout the Fall 2025 semester, The Rising Scholars program will be tabling at all seven of our campuses from 10:45am to 12:00pm, providing students and colleagues the opportunity to learn more about Rising Scholars, ask questions, and explore ways to engage, support, and collaborate. The next stop will be at CE Miramar on Tuesday, November 4. We encourage you to bring students and colleagues or share the flyer with anyone who could benefit from the resources and support Rising Scholars offers.
ECC Theatre Renovation
The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress! Here are the updates:
- Demolition continues of both exterior and interior spaces to make way for the newer open spaces downstairs and upstairs.
- The most significant demolition is the removal of some the store front openings and the completed footings for the new concessions building.
- Major demo will take place after the Thanksgiving break with the removal of the second floor balcony. Loud noise notifications will be issued in the weeks to come.
- There is a planned domestic water shutdown of the theatre building on Sunday, November 2. Normal operations will resume on Monday, November 3.
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.
ECC Campus Impact at Skill Center
As part of ongoing construction activities on campus, the pathway between Buildings A & B will be temporarily closed on Friday, 11/14, from 7:30AM to 4:00PM. During this time, all pedestrians must use the alternative path of travel indicated on the site plan below. Traffic control, along with wayfinding signage, will be available to help guide you around the closure area.
Please note that bicycle parking will not be available for the day. We encourage everyone to plan accordingly and allow a few extra minutes when moving through campus.
Bond Projects Update
ECC Building Trades (Welding Renovation)
- Planning with the building consultants is ongoing. Schematic Design is underway.
- Soil testing to be scheduled at a later date. Work to be coordinated on a Friday to minimize campus impacts.
- Discussions exploring different swing space considerations are underway.
- Leadership approved the expansion and enclosure of the existing canopy space in order to provide additional instructional space.
ECC Ceramics
- Design is ongoing, with Construction Documents underway.
- Additional soils testing between Buildings A & B will need to be scheduled at a later date. A campus-wide notification will be sent out ahead of time for coordination purposes.
ECC Community Room Renovation
- Design is ongoing, with Construction Documents underway.
- Project schedule is trailing behind the ECC Ceramics project as construction of the new Community Room is tied to the completion of the new ceramics space.
- Leadership confirmed that the new office space adjacent of the Community Room will house The Foundation.
ECC Seismic Upgrades
- Design team is performing a seismic evaluation of the main building as part of a standard procedure required by the Division of the State Architect (DSA).
- Site walk was held with the project stakeholders last week to review and mark out the specified locations for material testing & assessment.
- All testing to be scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and observed holidays to minimize campus impacts.
CE Mesa Campus Building Envelope Improvements
- The Feasibility Report of the exterior building was completed. Proposed improvement options were reviewed with the project stakeholders.
- Cost estimates for recommended project scope are in progress.
- Leadership approved the full enclosure of the existing stairwells.
Mid-City Expansion
- Individual Focus Group Meetings are ongoing.
- Initial options and programs for the new building were reviewed with the project stakeholders.
Mid-City Renovation
- Design Kick-Off Meeting was held last week with the project stakeholders. The meeting included a focus group session with ESL.
West-City Expansion
- Individual Focus Group Meetings are ongoing.
- Enterprise Services Meeting to discuss food service operations was held last week.
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.
I look forward to our next meeting this month to further these important conversations.
Please take a moment to review the 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.
History behind Mid-City's Folk Tale Murals
Classified Professional Weekly Spotlight
This week’s Classified Professional Spotlight shines on Michael Escalona. With dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Economics from UC San Diego, Michael brings a strong mix of analytical thinking, creativity, and people-centered service to his role. Originally from Las Vegas and a proud San Diegan since 2008, he has over a decade of experience in customer service, administration, and social media.
Michael started with the district as an Administrative Assistant V in the President’s Office and now serves as the Administrative Technician for the Communications Office, where his attention to detail and collaborative spirit stand out. Multilingual in English, Spanish, and Japanese (and currently learning Korean and ASL), he is always eager to connect with others. Outside of work, Michael enjoys sharing food, drink, and travel tips, and he previously taught music to local high school marching bands and drumlines.
Faculty Weekly Spotlight
This week’s Faculty Spotlight shines on Oscar Aparicio, a Marine Corps veteran who traded desert deployments for classroom projects. Still just as mission-driven, Oscar brings that same dedication to teaching and guiding students through hands-on learning and real-world problem solving.
A lifelong tinkerer, he loves restoring old tools, creating smart home gadgets “just to see if they’ll work,” and exploring new coffee spots around San Diego. Known for his positive attitude and creative approach, Oscar lives by his motto: “If it can be built, fixed, or improved — I’ll find a way.”
Supervisor Monthly Spotlight
Our Supervisor Spotlight shines on our Accounting Supervisor, Thu Tran, whose leadership and expertise play a vital role in keeping SDCCE’s financial operations running seamlessly. With a keen eye for detail and a deep commitment to accuracy and integrity, Thu ensures that our fiscal processes support every department and program across the college. Her collaborative approach and dedication to excellence strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality, tuition-free education to students and our community. We are grateful for Thu’s professionalism, innovation, and the positive impact she makes each day at SDCCE.
- 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.
Foundation News
Cal Coast made a generous $10,000 donation to our Foundation in continued support of our college and students, helping to create opportunities for learning and growth and making a meaningful difference in our community.
President's Updates
The Executive President’s Cabinet and I enjoyed hosting a fall luncheon with our Classified Senate, filled with great conversation, gratitude, and delicious food. It was a heartfelt celebration of the dedication and impact of our classified professionals who help SDCCE thrive every day. We were also featured in the Chancellor's blog which can be viewed here.
My Executive President’s Cabinet and I visited Cesar Chavez Campus to connect, exchange ideas, and catch up on the latest college updates while enjoying ice cream during our campus visit.
The Executive President's Cabinet and I visited all seven campuses to spread some Halloween cheer, delivering special “boo baskets” filled with treats!
The Research Corner
This week we invite you to explore the research article Generative AI Use in a Business Ethics Course Assignment: A Descriptive Study on Student AI Choice and Perceptions. This article examines student's perception to generative AI. Students were asked to answer a prompt by using their own words and with generative AI and then were asked to compare the two results. The results give insights about how students are using AI and how they perceive it to complete their studies. This document may be accessed here: Generative AI Use in a Business Ethics Course Assignment: A Descriptive Study on Student AI Choice and Perceptions. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.
Best,
