San Diego Community College District

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

2017 has been both a productive and a difficult year. The year was productive for us in sustaining our basic enrollment growth and advancing many positive and innovative plans.  It was also a difficult and challenging year, especially for our DACA students and others who have been threatened by actions coming from Washington. However, I believe we are doing an excellent job of addressing the full range of issues that 2017 has placed before us and that we will be tackling in 2018. A commitment to excellence and a strong social justice framework will continue to shape our plans and decisions.

The Board of Trustees and I wish you a richly-deserved break from your work during this holiday season. You will no doubt be spending time with your families and friends, enjoying adventures and relaxation, and focusing on the things that matter most in your lives. Whether you work at City College, Mesa College, Miramar College, Continuing Education, or the various departments of the District Office, you have brought our District to yet another level of excellence and accomplishment, which benefits both our students and our entire community.

When you return from the holiday break, we will begin our planning processes for the 2018-19 budget. I will provide updates for you as the legislative session resumes in January. Present indications are that California’s economy is continuing to rebound, so we are optimistic about making continued progress in implementing our plans.

As we reflect on our journey to midyear, we need to be reminded of the wonderful set of circumstances that we continue to enjoy. We have a Board of Trustees that is composed of people who are dedicated to our District and who believe in education. We have a faculty of talented and devoted individuals who place the learning and the welfare of students first. We have administrators who are committed to supporting the efforts of our colleges, Continuing Education campuses, and departments. We have a classified staff of professionals who exhibit expertise and care for our students and clients. We have Senates that work effectively on their projects, but also work together across the District to resolve disagreements and ensure common purpose. We have governance groups that come together effectively for planning, budgeting, and other functions. We have citizens’ advisory and oversight groups that volunteer their expertise and their efforts. And we have bargaining organizations, including meet-and-confer units, that are part of the very positive atmosphere of our overall operation. As your chancellor, I definitely know that I am privileged and blessed to work with all of you on our common purposes and goals, and I consider it an honor to enter a new year of progress with you in this role.

Thank you for all you do, for being who you are, and for the spirit that you bring to our work together. Enjoy the holiday season!

Dr. Constance M. Carroll
Chancellor
San Diego Community College District