Dear SDCCE Community,

As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to wish you a joyful holiday and safe travels. Please take note of our holiday hours: from November 24–26, CE Mesa and CE Miramar will remain open; Chavez, North City, and ECC will be closed. Mid-City and West City will be open November 24–25 and closed on November 26.

Additionally, the District and the AFT Guild, Local 1931 Classified Professionals unit have reached a tentative agreement on the 2025–2028 contract, while continuing discussions on a proposed reduced-hour work week. Given this SDCCD will launch a 36-hour work week pilot from January 5 to April 3.

Please refer to Chancellor Smith's email that was sent November 12 for more information.

Enrollment Updates

Fall Update

SDCCE’s overall enrollment for fall stands at 28,034 (4% less than this time last year, and a 0.4% decrease from last week), with a fill rate of 64%, which is less than last fall (74%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,966, a decrease of 4% compared to this time last fall (15,635) and a 0.2% decrease from last week (14,998). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 7% greater than last fall (185.11 to 198.30). View the enrollment report.

Please see the graphs added to the enrollment update to provide a clearer visual snapshot of our metrics.

Spring 2026 Enrollment

Spring 2026 Enrollment is officially open today! Encourage students to enroll early and explore our wide range of tuition-free programs, flexible scheduling, and supportive services. We are ready to help every student start the new term with confidence.

Please help us spread the word and encourage students and prospective students to join Outreach and the LGBTQIA+ Student Success Program for a fun and meaningful celebration of gratitude! Invite students to stop by, share what they’re thankful for, connect with others, and enjoy some uplifting vibes (and treats!).

Let’s support our students in celebrating community, pride, and gratitude together!

Come celebrate with us as we ring in the holiday season at our Season of Unity event! Join colleagues, friends, and our campus community for an afternoon filled with festive cheer, meaningful connection, and the spirit of togetherness. This special gathering is a chance to unwind, share in the joy of the season, and recognize the incredible work we’ve accomplished across the year. We hope to see you there as we kick off the holidays with warmth, unity, and celebration! Fill out the form to let us know your attendance.

Our Curriculum Chair, Richard Gholson, presented at 2 Course Outline of Records (COR) Town Halls at Cesar Chavez and CE Mesa Campus, offering valuable insight into the curriculum development process and highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen program quality, alignment, and student learning across SDCCE.

As part of our ongoing efforts to align our Course Outlines of Record (CORs) and ensure consistency across our instructional programs, the Office of Instructional Services and VPI Omae in collaboration with Professor Richard Gholson, Chair of the Curriculum Review Committee and Dr. Rachel Rose, Chair of Chairs will be hosting a series of open forums this month. These sessions are designed to provide space for dialogue, clarification, and collective problem-solving as we continue this important work together. You are cordially invited to attend our last session:

• Wednesday, November 19 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom meeting link)

These forums will provide background information on the current COR alignment project, highlight promising practices from across our programs, and offer an opportunity to share your questions and insights. Your participation and feedback are essential as we work together to ensure that all courses are scheduled and delivered in accordance with approved CORs, supporting both instructional integrity and student success.

For questions please contact: VPI Masa Omae, momae@sdccd.edu

Special shout out and a special thank you to Dean Dr. Vangie Akridge, for her leadership with leading the CORs for the DSPS and Emeritus Department, the are making great strides!

Eight ESL classes from four campuses came together for a fun and educational adventure at the San Diego Zoo. Representing CE Mesa was Instructor Lisa Wong (Level 3 Morning); ECC was Instructor Andres Avellaneda (Level 3 Evening and Beginner Conversation 1–3); Cesar Chavez was Instructor Isabel Cortes (Level 4 Evening and English for Parents Morning); and Mid-City were Instructors Gina De Anda (Level 3 Evening) and Ivonne Aguila (Level 1 Morning and Computer Lab). Students explored the zoo through an interactive activity that had them identifying animals, engaging with exhibits, and even practicing new weather-related vocabulary along the way.

The ESL Program has been recognized as a 2025 CAEP Model Program for “Meeting the Demand: An Inclusive and Expanding ESL Program at SDCCE,” honoring its exceptional response to rapid enrollment growth among immigrant, refugee, and asylee communities. Despite staffing and system challenges, the program expanded classes on- and off-site, strengthened intake processes, added specialized pathways, integrated digital literacy tools, and enhanced professional development. These efforts led to significant gains, including enrollment growth from 13,823 to 25,958, increased course awards for African American/Black students, and improved digital literacy outcomes. Special recognition goes Jesus Rivas who nominated several SDCCE programs and to the ELL-CNA collaboration team: Karen Hamilton, Ryane Willis, Diana Vera-Alba, Doria Ruhl, Johanna Gleason, Tricia Comey, and Jessica Varnado-Swall—for contributing to this achievement. This honor reflects the collective dedication of faculty, classified professionals, instructional assistants, coordinators, and employees across the program.

Additionally, our Healthcare program was recognized for its excellence, receiving the ELL-Inclusive Instructional Strategies for Nurse Assistant Training designation as a CAEP Model Program for 2025.

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 the ECC Campus from 2:30 to 3:30pm on Monday, December 1 over some ice cream. Please join us for any of the visits listed!

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.

Thank you to Dean Krauss for all of your support.

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 Mesa tomorrow, November 18. 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.

Encourage students to join the 79th Assembly District Apprenticeship Fair on Thursday, November 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins. This exciting event is a great opportunity for students to connect with peers and community members while exploring valuable training programs and mentorship opportunities to help launch or advance their careers. RSVP here.

ECC Theatre Renovation

The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress! Here is the latest update:

• 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.

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.

Bond Projects Update

Below is an update of the current Measure HH Bond projects for our college. We have also developed a current projects page with updates on each project.

ECC Building Trades (Welding Renovation)

• Planning with the building consultants is ongoing. Schematic Design is underway.
• Soil testing at the welding yard was completed on Friday, 11/14.
• Discussions exploring different swing space considerations are underway.
• Cost estimates for expansion and enclosure of the existing canopy space are in progress.
• Leadership approved program refinement for additional 3,000 SF state-of-the-art automation/robotics labs.

ECC Ceramics

• Design is ongoing, with Construction Documents underway.
• Additional soils testing between Buildings A & B was completed on Friday, 11/14.
• Discussions exploring different swing space considerations are underway.
• Targeting December 2025 for DSA (Division of the State Architect) submittal.

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.
• Preliminary plans for the new office space were reviewed with the Foundation Director last week.
• Targeting June 2026 for DSA (Division of the State Architect) submittal.

ECC Seismic Upgrades

• Design Team is performing a seismic evaluation of the main building as part of a standard procedure required by DSA (Division of the State Architect).
• Site walk was held with the project stakeholders to review and mark out the specified locations for material testing & exploratory assessment.
• All testing to be scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and observed holidays to minimize campus impacts.

CE Mesa Campus Building Envelope Improvements

• Feasibility Report of the exterior building was completed.
• Cost estimates for the full enclosure of the existing stairwells have been submitted.
• Design Kick-Off Meeting to be scheduled with the Project Stakeholders upon Notice to Proceed.

Mid-City Expansion

• Individual Focus Group Meetings have been completed.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders.
• Final Report to be submitted to Leadership in December 2025.
• Targeting January 2026 for approval of conceptual design.
• RFQP to be issued for Design-Build Services in March 2026.

Mid-City Renovation

• Individual Focus Group Meetings have been completed.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders.
• Final Report to be submitted to Leadership in December 2025.
• Targeting January 2026 for approval of conceptual design.
• Leadership to review and discuss project phasing upon approval of conceptual design.

West-City Expansion

• Individual Focus Group Meetings are ongoing.
• Design Team is refining conceptual layouts to review with Project Stakeholders in December 2025.
• Targeting December 2025 for approval of conceptual design in order to kick-off Schematic Design.

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.

In our meeting last week, we covered cultivating safety and belonging for students, staying grounded in the work, reviewed resources, fundraising opportunities, and marketing materials such as posters, new buttons, and stickers that will be shared soon.

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.

Members of our college and the SDCCE Foundation were honored to attend the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce Gala at the magnificent Gaylord Resort and Pacific Convention Center. It was an inspiring evening celebrating the achievements of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs within San Diego's community.

• 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.

President's Updates

I enjoyed the 2025 COLEGAS Latinx Presidents Pre-Conference, spending the day with colleagues from across the state working to advance student equity. I appreciated the opportunity to present on noncredit-to-credit alignment pathways and to learn from other college presidents. Thank you to COLEGAS for another great conference!

The Research Corner

This week we invite you to explore the report Building What We Deserve: EdTrust-West's Vision for Education Equity in Los Angeles County. This report calls attention to important data about education in Los Angeles County, while highlighting the importance and needs to support an equitable approach to education even in the face of new challenges. This document may be accessed here: Building What We Deserve: EdTrust-West's Vision for Education Equity in Los Angeles County. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.