Dear SDCCE Community,
In alignment with guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom, our District will recognize the César Chávez holiday as Farmworkers Day. As we approach this time, our community is also navigating an important and sensitive moment.
In light of recent national and local news regarding allegations connected to César Chávez, the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to hear public input and discuss the potential renaming of the César E. Chávez Campus.
- April 6, 2026 | 4 to 7 PM
- César Chávez Campus (1901 Main St.) or via the Board of Trustees YouTube Channel
We encourage all students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate. Your voice is essential as we move forward with transparency, care, and a shared commitment to our community.
If you are unable or prefer not to participate in the meeting and would like to provide input, please email [email protected] and we will provide all input received to the Board prior to the meeting.
Enrollment Updates
Spring Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 27,159 (9% less than this time last year, and a 0.1% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 70%, which is less than last spring (76%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 14,307, a decrease of 8% compared to this time last spring (15,483) and a 1% increase from last week (14,216). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 9% greater than last spring (195.74 to 213.70). View the enrollment report .
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 [email protected] for detailed information.
Lastly, you can utilize the anonymous sharing box. Your voice matters, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
SDCCE’s Career and Technical Education programs empower students from all backgrounds such as first-generation learners, adult students, and career-transitioning professionals to gain the skills and credentials needed for high-demand careers. With expanded access, strong industry partnerships, and innovative pathways, we’re proud to support a diverse student body and strengthen our community. Take a look at our recent reports covering the 2024-2025 academic year:
- State of CTE - SDCCE
- CTE & Workforce Insight Hub
As our college continues to grow and assess our needs, this year’s graduation ceremony will be held at the Town and Country Resort, offering a more accessible and comfortable experience for our graduates, their families and loved ones. We look forward to coming together to honor the achievements of the Class of 2026.
Information and details regarding commencement will be posted to the Commencement 2026 webpage .
We were proud to celebrate a major milestone at last week’s Apprenticeship Readiness Program Graduation, honoring the achievements of Cohorts 6 & 7. This special event marked the completion of their training and the beginning of their journeys into high-demand careers in the skilled trades.
This celebration was especially meaningful as we recognized our first-ever all-female cohort alongside our male cohort highlighting the power of access, opportunity, and determination. Together, these graduates represent the bright future of our workforce and the impact of investing in student success. View more photos on our SDCCE Flickr .
SDCCE’s Acquired Brain Injury Program proudly joined the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation’s 19th Annual surviveHEADSTRONG Walk for Recovery 2026 to raise awareness, honor survivors, and support the local brain injury community. Our team came together to celebrate resilience, promote recovery, and show our commitment to empowering individuals and families affected by brain injuries, while raising $25,000. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported.
Loretta Ross Workshop Recording Available
Thank you to everyone who joined last week’s Loretta Ross event on Calling In! If you missed it or want to revisit the session, the recording is available on the Vision Resource Center: Access the Workshop.
Flex credit is available for those who watch and complete the course questions. If you’re new to the Vision Resource Center, check out these guides to get started:
Join SDCCE for the BIG MAKE 2026: From Waste to Worth – Stitching Sustainable Stories, a celebration of sustainability, creativity, and community through textile arts. Guided by visiting artist Michelle Montjoy, the event highlights how reclaimed materials can be transformed through knitting, repair, and reuse into meaningful works that reflect care for the environment and one another. The week of student workshops will culminate in a free public Capstone Event & Festival on Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at West City Campus, featuring a large-scale textile installation, interactive activities, and a keynote address. Community members ages 16 and older are encouraged to attend and experience the power of sustainable making.
Hoop Hysteria
Join the SDCCE Foundation for a full day of non-stop basketball to support our students' basic needs. Teams will compete in this exciting fundraiser that brings our community together for a great cause!
The event will take place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson YMCA.
Volunteer at the event: We’ll need friendly faces to help with check‑in, guest support, activity stations, and more. Just a few hours of your time makes a huge difference.
Make a donation: Every contribution matters — truly. Even $5 helps expand the Basic Needs support that our students rely on. Click on the link to donate: Donate
Show up and cheer: Bring your energy to the stands! Invite family, bring friends — let’s pack the gym and show our students and community what SDCCE spirit looks like.
Your involvement, in any form, helps ensure that every SDCCE student has the support they need to stay on their educational journey.
For more information on how to support, visit the Hoop Hysteria website .
Join us for the 2026 Districtwide Undocumented Student Conference!
All District students, employees, and allies are invited to this free virtual event on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m.. The conference features engaging workshops, important resources, and a student opportunity drawing.
Our keynote speaker will be UndocuScholars LLC, sharing insights and inspiration for undocumented students and their supporters. FLEX credit is available (31756 for credit, 38762 for noncredit).
The Office of Student Affairs and the SDCCE Foundation are proud to announce the honorees of the 2026 Scholarship and Awards Program have been announced! This year, we received 321 applications and are thrilled to recognize 124 students, each receiving scholarships of at least $500.
These outstanding students will be celebrated at our Open House Scholarship and Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 4 to 6 PM at the North City Campus. Join us as we honor their achievements in academics, personal growth, community service, and for exemplifying the very best of the San Diego College of Continuing Education!
Kudos to our Student Services Technician, Neill Krovrig! Neill has been contributing his expertise as part of a WASC Accreditation Team with CalAPS, helping ensure that programs meet rigorous standards of quality and continuous improvement. His work plays a crucial role in supporting institutional excellence and advancing student success across our District.
SDCCE student leaders represented our college at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) General Assembly in San Francisco over the weekend. This annual event brings together student leaders from across the state to develop leadership skills, advocate for student needs, and participate in debates on resolutions that guide statewide policies. Our students connected with peers, gained tools for effective advocacy, and helped shape the future of California community colleges, showing SDCCE’s commitment to empowering student voices.
ECC Theatre Renovation
The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress!
- The construction site is active Monday - Friday, 7am - 3:30pm.
- Check out the demolition of the second level deck on the live stream link: ECC Theatre Renovation
- SDCCE recently hosted a renovation update meeting with members of the Historic Preservation Committee. Attendees heard from Dr. King, Silvia, HGA, and PCL Construction, and had the opportunity to tour the project site firsthand.
- The corridor between Classrooms 144 and 146 of the Main Building will be closed through this Friday (04/03). An alternative route will be provided to access the two classrooms through the exterior side. Traffic control will be available to help guide pedestrians around the closure area. The restrooms (Room 140) and the Student Lounge (Room 129) will remain accessible throughout the closure. Please note that, during this period, occupants may experience intermittent noise transmission throughout the building.
- There will be two utility shutdowns scheduled between Tuesday (03/31) through Thursday (04/02) During this entire period, the Main Building will be without domestic water services, which will temporarily affect restrooms, sinks, and drinking fountains. Fire sprinkler services will only be temporarily affected on Tuesday (03/31). Domestic water services are expected to be restored by the end of the day on Thursday (04/02). Please reference the site plan below for restroom access during the shutdown on the far south end of campus, the C building and A building.
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
The current Measure HH Bond projects for our college continue to make progress. We have also developed a current projects page with updates on each project and the SDCCD Measure HH webpage has further updates.
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 have a dedicated webpage with Know Your Rights Information, District protocols, resources, and more curated by our Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force.
Please take a moment to review the safety cards for navigating ICE incidents on campus. These resources are designed to guide employees on the steps for reporting.
Come out to support the "Sixth Annual Emeritus Festival, Music You Will Love!", taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. (with two intermissions). This special afternoon of music will be held in person at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church in El Cajon. Concert proceeds will directly support the Emeritus Program, which provides free classes for adults in our community. We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring event that celebrates lifelong learning and the joy of music.
SDCCE Hits the Road in Style! Our newly wrapped Outreach Van and Utility Van are ready to roll, taking SDCCE’s programs, career training, and educational opportunities directly to our community.
Save The Date
You are invited to the grand opening of the Learning & Teaching Center (LTC), led by the Instructional Learning Technology program at San Diego College of Continuing Education. Located at NCC Room 113, the LTC will serve as a hub for instructional design, distance education support, and faculty development to enhance high-quality teaching across all modalities.
- Friday, April 17
- 10:00–11:30 a.m.
- Ribbon Cutting: 10:30 a.m.
- Open House & Brunch to Follow
Employees are encouraged to attend, explore the space, and learn how the LTC supports innovative, equitable teaching and student success. More details to come!
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week’s Classified Professional shines on our Senior Accounting Technician, Marylou Madrid. Marylou’s journey with the District began in 2007 as an hourly staff member in Accounts Payable, later becoming a contract Acquisition Accounting Technician in 2008. She brought her expertise to SDCCE in 2015 as an Accounting Technician and, in 2023, was reclassified into her current role in Business Services.
Inspired by her mother’s career, Marylou developed a passion for accounting, especially problem-solving and providing excellent customer service. She takes pride in helping others and sharing her knowledge.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping, beach days, arts and crafts, and volunteering at her local church. She also loves cheering on her kids in sports and is a proud fan of the San Diego Padres.
Faculty Spotlight
This week’s Faculty Spotlight shines on one of our Counselors, Sandi Duraid. Sandi brings a wealth of experience, having served as a Team Lead with the Public Consulting Group and as a counselor at Grossmont College, MiraCosta College, and San Diego City College. She has supported CalWORKs, first-generation, and low-income students, and approaches her work through a trauma-informed care lens.
Her passion is helping students believe in themselves and achieve their goals, finding purpose in their growth and success. As of March 2026, she celebrates her first year as a full-time counselor in General Counseling at the Mid-City Campus.
Outside of work, Sandi enjoys nature, roller coasters, writing
Manager Spotlight
This week’s Manager Spotlight shines on our Dean of Automotive, and Skilled & Technical Trades, Andrei Lucas. He began his journey as a VA work-study student supporting military-affiliated students and now leads workforce and career technical education programs. His industry experience with ADL Embedded Solutions continues to shape his approach to workforce alignment and partnerships.
Inspired by an early introduction to STEM through the Elementary Institute of Science, where he now serves as a board member, Andrei is passionate about expanding opportunity through education. He has been with the San Diego Community College District since 2014.
Outside of work, he enjoys rock climbing, playing guitar, and staying active. He also serves as Board Chair for Blood Cancer United and is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership Studies at USD, focusing on AI and workforce education.
- Visit the Administrative Services Intranet to access campus safety resources and stay informed with the latest updates.
- We will be participating in a 4 x10 schedule this summer 2026. Please refer to the memo that was sent out via email of view it on the Intranet .
- 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 was honored to host the board meeting and opening mixer for the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) at the Educational Cultural Complex Campus. I also participated in a plenary session during the AAHHE Conference on Advancing Latine Thriving: Leadership, Student Voice, and Institutional Responsibility. This plática-style conversation highlighted the importance of keeping students at the center of our work. I was proud to stand alongside leaders and students advancing equity, especially our SDCCE student Anacari Camargo (Anna), who shared her inspiring story of courage and resilience as a panelist.
The Research Corner
This week, we invite you to read a study "AI Self-preferencing in Algorithmic Hiring: Empirical Evidence and Insights". Recent research in computer science has identified a behavioral tendency in LLMs known as self-preference, i.e., the inclination of a model to favor content it generated itself over that written by humans or produced by alternative models (Panickssery et al. 2024). Self-preference introduces a novel form of bias in hiring. The study may be found on the following link: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.00462 . Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
