Dear SDCCE Community,
I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day this past Sunday, June 15!
As we move into a new week, all SDCCE campuses will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025 in celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth is not just another federal holiday; it is a true celebration of freedom remembering the date of June 19, 1865 – more than two months after the end of the Civil War – when the Union Army arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced an executive order proclaiming the liberation of an estimated 250,000 enslaved African Americans. As we honor this day, we remember the past, acknowledge the progress made, and commit to building a more inclusive future.
Amid ongoing political strife in our nation, it’s important to reaffirm that our campuses remain safe spaces for all students and employees, supported by policies and procedures designed to protect our community. I also want to remind our campus community to review the Chancellor's Message: AP 3415 Non-Participation in Immigration Enforcement that was sent on June 10.
Enrollment Updates
Spring Update
SDCCE’s overall enrollment for spring stands at 29,403 (2% less than this time last year), with a fill rate of 67%, which is greater than last spring (63%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 15,641, a decrease of 5% compared to this time last spring (16,462). FTEF scheduled for the spring semester is 2% greater than last spring (191.51 to 195.94).
Summer Update
Enrollment for summer 2025 started on May 12th, 2025. Summer classes started June 9th, 2025, and will end on August 23rd, 2025. SDCCE’s overall enrollment for summer stands at 14,321 (1% less than this time last year, and a 2% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 83%, which is less than last summer (89%). SDCCE’s overall headcount is currently 10,016, a decrease of 0.4% compared to this time last summer (10,053) and a 2% increase from last week (9,828). FTEF scheduled for the summer semester is 12% greater than last summer (71.40 to 80.09). View the enrollment report.
Join us this Wednesday, June 18, 2025, for our Juneteenth Celebration taking place at the Education Cultural Complex, Outdoor Patio between buildings B & C from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. We will have live performances, musical talent, and storytelling to capture the essence of Juneteenth and the Black experience. Lunch will be provided by Felix’s BBQ With Soul!
Thank you to the Cultural Taskforce Committee and Dr. Garrett for the hard work put forth in creating beautiful events.
Student Services and Instructional Services Deans and Managers had a great end of the year meeting. After a lot of hard work this year, we are wishing you a great summer! Thank you to the VPs for their leadership in hosting this leadership gathering.
All are welcome to march with SDCCE and the SDCCD at the annual Pride Parade on Saturday, July 19th. Register to walk in the Pride parade using this form.
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates
At San Diego College of Continuing Education, we are committed to maintaining a campus environment that fosters inclusivity, equity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background or immigration status. The SIB Task Force was created to develop actionable steps to enhance support for our students in the current social climate. As a Task Force we are working on the current initiatives:
- We’re Here to Stay Program – A new effort focused on supporting students facing immigration-related challenges.
- Immigration Resources – Centralized access to information and tools addressing a wide range of immigration needs.
- Informational Events – A series of sessions hosted by SIB sub-committees to help students navigate immigration systems.
- Campus-Wide Resource List – A comprehensive guide to services, including asylum, parole, and legal support.
- Legal Consultations – One-on-one legal guidance, with $150 provided for the first session and discounted rates for ongoing representation.
If a student needs assistance or a safe place to ask questions, please direct them to: sdcceimmigrantsupport@sdccd.edu and make note of the upcoming sessions to support students and community members:
HELS Immigration Legal Clinic
Tuesday, June 17 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mid-City Campus – Room 316
To support our PAs and IAs transitioning out of their roles, Career Services is offering a series of three workshops—available both in person and online. These sessions will provide hands-on guidance with resume and CV writing, interview preparation, LinkedIn profile building, and job search strategies.
Session details
- Wednesday, June 18, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Educational Cultural Complex (ECC), Room 184 or Zoom Registration
- Tuesday, June 25, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Mid-City Campus, Room 318 or Zoom Registration
The Tutorial and Learning Center is here to support student success—offering valuable academic resources and one-on-one assistance. We encourage you to share this information with your students to help them in the academic journeys.
TLC Summer Hours & Services
- Open M–Th, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- (Tuesdays: Study Hour 9–10 AM; Tutoring starts at 10 AM)
- Tutoring in reading, writing, math, and English conversation
- Workshops, group/quiet study spaces, and tech support
- CASAS & HSE testing available on scheduled days
SDCCE’s STAR Conference brought faculty and classified professionals together for a day of wellness—featuring meditation, dance fitness, and timely info sessions.
Congrats to Student Services Tech Neill Kovrig, honored with the President Extraordinaire award for his dedication to student success!
The day wrapped with a visit to Chicano Park and Museum, exploring the past, present, and future of this cultural landmark.
Thank you to Carla Grossini-Concha and the STAR Conference planning committee for putting together such an impactful event.
We’re also grateful to Dean Shafer and COS Diana Romero at the Cesar Chavez Campus for their support in providing the space.
And thank you to everyone who kept things running across our campuses—especially our VPs—so our classified professionals could fully engage in the experience.
In the coming weeks, the San Diego Community College District will launch SDCCDsafe, a free app that turns your smartphone into a safety tool. Safety at all SDCCD campuses and facilities is a top priority, and this new app will provide students and employees with another way to protect themselves with such features as:
- Placing a direct call to College Police or the 9-8-8 Crisis Lifeline
- Setting up a virtual “Friend Walk” so a friend or family member can make sure you arrive at your destination safely – whether to a classroom, a parking lot, or even somewhere off campus
- Reporting an anonymous tip
The app will be available for download from the Apple App or Google Play stores in mid- to late-June. A notice will be sent out when the app is live.
More details about the app and other District safety services are available at sdccd.edu/safety.
Be Well CCE
Check out the upcoming Be Well CCE support group opportunities to boost your well-being this semester!
Real Relations Support Group
BeWell CCE wants to support you and your goals as you navigate the various interpersonal relationships in life. Some of the topics are included but not limited to: Communication, Boundaries, Self-Esteem, Core Beliefs/Values, Healthy/Unhealthy Relationship Traits, Positive Parenting/Discipline techniques and more.
The last Monday of the month is students only at 12:30PM.
Dates: 6/23/25
Meeting ID: 847 4447 3305
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/84744473305
Weekly Student Support Group
“This Thing Called Life” is hosted on Wednesdays for students only at 12:30PM.
Meeting ID: 884 0608 7923
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/88406087923
Weekly Employee Support Group
“Think it Through Thursdays” is hosted on Thursdays for employees only at 12:30PM.
Flex Credit Available
Meeting ID: 879 8336 9490
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/87983369490
The ECC Theatre Renovation is underway!
Please be on the lookout for new signs around campus outlining the construction and plan ahead as you get to ECC! The following dates reflect important changes to parking and pedestrian access near the construction site:
- Wednesday, June 5, 2025: Cones and No Parking signs placed in lot 3.
- Monday, June 9, 2025: Perimeter fence installation begins in lot 1 (Phase 1).
- Thursday, June 12, 2025: Cones and No Parking signs placed for upcoming parking lot 2 striping.
- Friday, June 13, 2025: Temporary striping will be done in parking lot 2.
- Monday, June 16, 2025: Main construction fencing installed around the construction zone (Phase 2).
- Monday, June 16, 2025: Temporary interior wall installed—foyer access will be closed from this point on.
Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date.
We’re thrilled to welcome our new Student Trustee, Yahir, and Vice President, Luis Miguel—congratulations to both on stepping into these important leadership roles!
The Multicultural Center at Mid-City (Room 117) was completed last week. Thank you to everyone who helped get the space set up! This new space is dedicated to celebrating our diverse student community, offering curated resources to enrich learning experiences and providing targeted opportunities to support student growth and development.
We were honored to welcome an IT delegation from India to our North City Campus brought in by Dean Gray, where they toured the Cisco Lab as a key part of their U.S. visit. The delegation also visited the Cisco plant in San Jose.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week's Classified Spotlight goes to Lucila (Lucy) Hernandez. Lucy is an Instructional Assistant in the Clothing and Textiles Program at West City Campus, where she has proudly served the San Diego Community College District for over 35 years. Throughout her career, Lucy has also supported students in the High School/GED program, the ESL department, and the CNA program.
A dedicated advocate for student success, Lucy is passionate about helping learners reach their goals, regardless of their academic path. She is especially committed to guiding students through the non-credit to credit pipeline, ensuring they have access to the resources and support needed to thrive in higher education.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on Michelle Schauder from the Child Development Program. Michelle attended and received her teaching credential from San Diego State University. She taught kindergarten and first grade for several years before finding her true passion in teaching Parent Education and Child Development. Michelle began her career in teaching Parent Education in 1997 through the Grossmont Union High School District. Michelle began teaching Child Development concurrently for the San Diego Community College District in 2002. After teaching for 28 years, Michelle still looks forward to educating and assisting new families and their young children. We are grateful for her expertise and passion!
- SDCCE students were sent the commencement recap message.
- Dr. Lisa Carulli, Site Compliance Officer for San Diego College of Continuing Education, will be off contract from June 16–30 and July 21–24, 2025. During this time, please contact Dean Michele Madrid Novak (mnovak@sdccd.edu) for any Site Compliance matters, including conflict resolution, harassment or discrimination complaints, and EEO Plan-related reviews or training. Thank you to Dr. Carulli for her dedication, and to Dean Novak for her continued support—your efforts are deeply appreciated.
- 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.
- For SDCCE swag and merch, visit the online store and start shopping today!
President's Updates
- I was honored to help kick off the Be Well STAR Conference in spirit by sharing a virtual message with participants about the importance of prioritizing their well-being. Huge thanks to everyone who came together to make this meaningful event a success!
- I’m excited to attend the upcoming Black Community College CEO Retreat, taking place June 22–24 at San Diego State University. This retreat offers an opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collective commitment to equity, access, and excellence in higher education. The event will feature engaging panel discussions, a dedicated session on prioritizing mental health, team-building activities, and meaningful networking opportunities—all designed to inspire and empower.
The Research Corner
This week, we invite you to explore the research paper Critical Mentorship Strategies for Supporting Rural Community College Students. This 2024 paper explains how the development of mentorship programs can improve the ability of rural community colleges to help their students succeed. Furthermore, it details how these such mentorship programs, that would be focusing on minority and systemically disadvantaged students, should differ from traditional mentorship programs, which are focused on "weeding out the unworthy", in order to more effectively serve differing goals. You may read the paper at Critical Mentorship Strategies for Supporting Rural Community College Students. Please take a minute to review this resource and email jsalcedo001@sdccd.edu if you have any questions.
Walk with the President / President's Office Hours
This semester, I'm excited to offer a new 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.
Best,
