No. 10
Educational Cultural Complex receives $35 million grant - 400 pageviews
On Oct. 1, California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins announced at a news conference, that a $35 million grant will be used to renovate the historic theatre inside the San Diego College of Continuing Education's Educational Cultural Complex. Forty-five years ago, ECC was one of southeastern San Diego’s only centers for education and arts. Civil Rights leader Coretta Scott King, award-winning artist and humanitarian Stevie Wonder, and Civil Rights activist and American poet Maya Angelou are some of the many influential social justice champions who have been part of the history at this campus. SDCCD Chancellor Carlos O. Turner Cortez is working with the city of San Diego and state officials to have ECC named as a Civil Rights Landmark Designation.
No. 9
Proposed state budget - 733 pageviews
On May 14, California Governor Gavin Newsom presented his May Revision Budget, representing his best budget projection since the release of his January Budget Proposal. The governor’s new budget proposal for FY 2021-22 is $196.8 billion. Using the projected surplus, coupled with the federal stimulus funding, the governor is proposing to use the $100 billion increase in what he calls “The California Comeback Plan,” which consists of a solid base budget augmented by “historic investments” in a wide range of organizations, projects, and initiatives to advance the state’s many missions.
No. 8
Emergency grants for students - 752 pageviews
In April, $97 million of federal stimulus money was awarded to support students through the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. A minimum of $38 million will provide direct aid payments to help students financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the remaining funds will support instructional and operational costs to help the SDCCD cover added expenses due to the crisis. Direct aid to students was provided for food, housing, childcare, health care, or student fees to allow students to continue with their education during the economic and health crisis. The SDCCD and San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and the San Diego College of Continuing Education used the remaining funds for additional expenses incurred during the pandemic, including the costs associated with transitioning to online instruction, purchasing laptops for students, additional student support services, and impact of lost revenue.
No. 7
More full-time faculty - 849 pageviews
In September, the district announced that an additional 25 full-time faculty would be hired over the next two years. The new full-time faculty positions are being created as part of a statewide effort in the California Community College system following an infusion of $100 million included in the state’s 2021-22 budget. State officials believe hiring more full-time faculty will assist in achieving the system’s diversity, inclusion and equity goals while moving the system closer to its target of having 75% of faculty be full-time. The SDCCD is receiving $2.9 million to fund the new positions. The state stipulates that any new hires must be beyond what the district would have hired without state funding.
No. 6
Student debt forgiven - 999 pageviews
The SDCCD announced in October that it would be forgiving $3.9 million in student debt for more than 11,454 students at San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges using federal pandemic relief funds. Students who were enrolled in Spring through Summer 2021 will have all their outstanding tuition and related enrollment fees forgiven. Holds for non-payment will be removed and students will be eligible to enroll for the January intersession and Spring 2022 semester.
No. 5
Gala honors retiring chancellor - 1,385 pageviews
On September 18, the San Diego Community College District honored Chancellor Emerita Constance M. Carroll. Dr. Carroll retired on July 1, 2021 after serving for 17 years as the chief executive officer at the district. The "Legacy of Achievement" event raised $234,416 to benefit San Diego Promise students. The gala featured performances by the San Diego Mesa College Jazz Musicians, the San Diego Mesa College Choir, and a special performance of Si, mi, chiamono Mimi by opera singer Candace Bogan.
No. 4
Baccalaureate legislation passes - 2,213 pageviews
In October, Governor Gavin Newsom signed historic legislation that made permanent the state’s pilot program allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in specific workforce fields not offered by the University of California or California State University. Assembly Bill 927 eliminates the 2026 sunset date on 15 existing baccalaureate degree programs and opens the door to as many as 30 new bachelor’s programs per year at any of the state’s 116 community colleges.
No. 3
COVID-19 Updates - 3,119 pageviews
Our chancellors gave eight updates in 2021 on how the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting districtwide operations. Updates included information on health and safety protocols, course instruction, hybrid courses, and the gradual return to in-person classes and business operations. The district will return to full, in-person operations in 2022. Hybrid and online options will be available. Face coverings will be required for everyone at indoor locations, and employees and students will be required to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption before they can enroll in in-person classes.
No. 2
Fall coverage - 5,665 pageviews
Faculty, classified professionals and managers strived to help bring back as many students as possible for the Fall 2021 semester. More hybrid courses were offered in the fall and vaccination records were required for anyone on campus. Our fall coverage included vaccination instructions, San Diego Promise applications, open registration and the first day of classes on August 23.
No. 1
New chancellor coverage - 5,944 pageviews
Following a nationwide search, the Board of Trustees announced in March that Dr. Carlos O. Turner Cortez would be the chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, starting July 1. Dr. Cortez had served as president of the San Diego College of Continuing Education from 2015-2021. Dr. Cortez has taught consistently for the past 23 years. He has served as an administrator for 16 years and as CEO for 11 years. Dr. Cortez’s scholarly achievements and professional pursuits are focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion not only for students, but also for faculty, professional staff, and administrators. Throughout his career, Dr. Cortez has elected to work primarily with underserved, ethnically diverse student populations from low-income communities.
“In conducting its search, the Board of Trustees prioritized selecting an individual with the skills and experience to lead the district’s strategic planning and action to meet the current and future challenges confronting its students and communities,” said Board President Marie Nieto Senour.
The SDCCD website garnered 3,281,291 pageviews and 778,406 users in 2021, with 19% of that traffic visiting NewsCenter. Here's some more of our top coverage:
TOP VIDEOS FOR 2021
3,414 views - Retirement gala (Photos and Video)
2,300 views - New Chancellor at the SDCCD
2,198 views – ECC Theater receives $35 million grant
2,070 views - Vaccination record deadline
1,834 views - City College unveils mural
1,814 views - Chancellor’s message for fall
1,804 views – City College opens Early Education Center (Photos and Video)
1,710 views - MLK Legacy
1,179 views – Support for online classes
1,607 views - First day of fall classes
1,602 views – Miramar College’s new Emergency Vehicle Operations Center
1,480 views – LEAD San Diego honors Starla Lewis
1,480 views – Veterans Center at Mesa College
1,398 views - New vaccination site at Education Cultural Complex
1,379 views – It’s nice to be back
1,331 views – Mother/Son athletes at Miramar College
1,167 views - City College nursing students give out vaccines
1,061 views – Dr. Shabazz on KUSI discussing Black History Month
1,113 views - Benefits of the San Diego Promise
2021 Commencement video and photos
1,638 – City College - Video | Photo Gallery
1,005 – Mesa College - Video | Photo Gallery
1,630 – Miramar College - Video | Photo Gallery
1,069 - College of Continuing Education - Video | Photo Gallery
TOP PHOTO GALLERIES FOR 2021
1,278 - ACCT Leadership Congress
553 - Legacy of Achievement - A Tribute to Dr. Constance M. Carroll
920- Pack the Pantry fundraiser
584 - Mesa Gallery Exhibit
403 - Fall semester begins