Happy Holidays!
Dear SDCCE Community,
As we close out another remarkable year at San Diego College of Continuing Education, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every member of our vibrant and supportive community. This year has been filled with growth, collaboration, and meaningful moments, each made possible by your dedication and passion. As we enter the height of the holiday season and look ahead to a bright and successful 2026, let’s take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments and milestones we achieved together in 2025.
We held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $65-million renovation of our historic Educational Cultural Complex Theatre. Funded through a $35 million state grant secured by Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins and Measure HH, the renovation designed by HGA of San Diego, honors the theatre’s legacy while creating a vibrant, future-ready hub for creativity, education, and community. We also welcomed Silvia Nogales as our new Theatre Director; with over 25 years of experience, she will lead operations, productions, and performing arts programs. View ECC Theatre groundbreaking photos.
We convened our annual three-day retreat, bringing together leadership representatives from across the institution—including the Executive President’s Cabinet, President’s Cabinet, Executive Governance Council, Academic Senate, Classified Senate, and our Student Trustee. Over the course of the retreat, we stepped back from our day-to-day responsibilities to reflect on how far we’ve come, to openly discuss the safety protocols of our college, and to thoughtfully chart the path forward with clear goals and priorities. We also made space to strengthen relationships and enjoy meaningful time together.
We expanded our student and community support with several new centers. On September 3, we celebrated the grand opening of the Be Well CCE Mental Health and Wellness Center, the first in the nation designed for noncredit adult learners to access stigma-free mental health resources. Our college’s Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) continued providing free tutoring, as well as HiSET and GED testing for students and the public. Additionally, on April 9, we opened the new Business Resource Center, offering workshops, networking, coaching, and a four-month business accelerator program to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. View the Be Well CCE grand opening photos.
We strengthened our commitment to inclusivity, equity, and respect through the establishment of our Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Taskforce. Meeting monthly, the taskforce developed strategies and resources to support the campus community and foster a welcoming environment for all, regardless of background or immigration status.
We celebrated a historic milestone by awarding 10,761 certificates and diplomas, the highest in our history. More than 400 adult graduates participated in the June 6 joint commencement with the San Diego Unified School District at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which also showcased our groundbreaking dual-enrollment partnership that enabled sixteen Lincoln High School students to earn both their high school diploma and an industry-recognized HVAC certificate. In addition to commencement, we proudly hosted a series of affinity celebrations, including Apprenticeship Readiness Program graduations, the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) pinning ceremony, and the Lavender Celebration, to ensure all students felt seen, supported, and celebrated. View more commencement photos.
We honored 115 students at its annual scholarship and awards ceremony on the front lawn of the Educational Cultural Complex. In honor of the institution's 110th anniversary year, a total of $110,000 in scholarships supported adult learners preparing for careers or transition to credit college. View scholarship event photos.
Our college foundation received a $689,000 grant from the Lucky Duck Foundation to support the Pathways Program for homeless students. The funding, spanning January 2025 through December 2026, provided critical resources to strengthen this retention-focused program, helping create supportive educational communities and intensive services that empower students to succeed.
We were awarded a $169,387 three-year grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to launch our first-ever Rising Scholars Program at the Educational Cultural Complex, marking a major step in expanding restorative education and reentry support to help remove barriers and create clear pathways to career success.
We proudly co-hosted the third annual Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit on October 16–17 at Mt. San Antonio College, bringing together leaders from across California to reimagine and strengthen noncredit education. Presented by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in partnership with SDCCE, Mt. SAC, and the Association of Community and Continuing Education, the two-day summit highlighted innovative practices that transform lives and expand opportunity, advancing Vision 2030’s mission of equity, access, and success for all adult learners. Launched at SDCCE in 2023 with the inaugural A Call to Action: Adult Education Summit, the series continues to inspire educators, policymakers, and workforce leaders to break down barriers and create pathways for adult learners and workforce education.
We hosted our fifth annual Emeritus Benefit Concert, ‘Music You Will Love’, at Canyon Crest Academy Auditorium, featuring performances by Emeritus students and faculty from music and literature programs. The free, public event included a silent auction of student-made art and ceramics and celebrated the College’s nearly 200 free Emeritus courses for adults 55+, designed to promote lifelong learning, creativity, and community engagement.
We participated in the surviveHEADSTRONG Walk and Health Fair as “Team ABI,” (Acquired Brain Injury) raising $25,000 to support free, life-changing programs for brain injury survivors. Founded 18 years ago by former instructor Heike Kessler-Heiberg, Team ABI has contributed over $330,000 to the College’s ABI trust fund, supporting the nation’s only free classes for adults recovering from brain trauma, stroke, tumor, infection, or anoxia.
Building on the college’s new branding, “SDCCE CE Media Days” kicked off with the CE Media Fest event tour for faculty, classified professionals, and administrators. Held across multiple campuses in October and November 2025, the tour gave employees exciting opportunities to connect with the Communications and Creative Services team and access valuable professional resources from headshots to video features. View event photo album.
Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, in partnership with SDCCE and the San Diego County Office of Education, hosted the 79th Assembly District Apprenticeship Fair at SDCCE’s Mid-City Campus. Attendees eagerly connected with apprenticeship sponsors, explored paid training and certification opportunities, and gained practical steps toward sustainable careers with strong wages and benefits.
We hosted our annual BIG MAKE capstone at West City Campus, showcasing the creativity and impact of our award-winning Clothing and Textiles (CLTX) program. Under the theme ‘Threads of Change: Stitching Stories of Justice, Textiles, and Sustainability—Walking Gently, Making Boldly’ attendees participated in hands-on workshops, learned from industry professionals, and explored the first BIG MAKE Marketplace featuring student and alumni businesses.
Our English as a Second Language (ESL) students visited the San Diego Zoo for a hands-on language and cultural immersion experience. Rain didn’t stop their excitement as they explored exhibits, practiced English, and connected with classmates across campuses. Many visited the zoo for the first time, enjoying a free outing made possible by the college’s commitment to accessible adult education. View field trip photos.
While there are so many moments to celebrate, big and small, these highlights capture just a glimpse of the great work we accomplish day in and day out. With your continued support, we look forward to achieving even more in 2026. To learn more about our college and the ways we serve our community, explore our recently released 2024-2025 Annual Report.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with inspiration, growth, and shared success. From all of us at San Diego College of Continuing Education, happy holidays and a happy 2026!
Warmest regards,
