In November 2020, with classes still being taught remotely, Moctezuma, along with the students taking her Museum Studies course, launched Mesa College Drive-In: An Outdoor Art Exhibition — a free, unique exhibition that provided visitors the opportunity to view artwork from the safety of their cars as they drove through Parking Lot 1.
“Even in an outdoor exhibition, students are still learning how to select a theme, put out a call for artists, select the artwork, engage in the marketing and communications component, post on social media, create a webpage,” she said.
The event was so popular, its run was extended an extra week.
Rolling Through the Pandemic
In 2020-21, Moctezuma wasn’t the only one in the District leading the charge with drive-in inspired events. For commencement ceremonies in the spring, each of the colleges created virtual programs, as well as “carmencement” events where graduates could drive-thru various campuses with friends and family safely inside their cars while receiving degrees, awards, and certificates to the tune of fanfare from cheering faculty, classified professionals, and administrators. To ensure access to the event, golf carts were available for students who wanted to participate, but didn’t have access to a car.
Based on the popularity of the first drive-in exhibition, Moctezuma introduced a second outdoor event. The Heavy Duty: A Steamroller Printmaking Exhibition Drive-in featured large-scale prints created by 16 artist printmakers whose carved relief woodcuts were driven over by a steamroller as a moving printing press to transfer ink onto fabric for display.
Leadership Transitions
- At the end of the academic year, Chancellor Emerita Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., said farewell after leading the District for 17 years — the longest tenure of any chancellor of the SDCCD. Ahead of her departure, the Board of Trustees led a comprehensive nationwide search. Then, in March, the Board named San Diego College of Continuing Education President Carlos O. Turner Cortez the next chancellor of the SDCCD. Dr. Cortez stepped into his role on July 1, 2021.
- P. Wesley Lundburg, Ph.D., started as president of San Diego Miramar College on July 1, 2020. The Coast Guard veteran previously oversaw the Ammerman Campus at Suffolk County Community College on Long Island, New York.
- Gregory Smith stepped into his role as vice chancellor of Human Resources on October 15, 2020 to support nearly 5,000 employees across three credit colleges and a large noncredit division. Smith was previously the interim assistant superintendent/vice president of Administrative Services at Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Community College District.
- On November 1, 2020, Susan Topham, Ed.D., was named vice chancellor of Educational Services. In the newly established position, Vice Chancellor Topham’s responsibilities include oversight of all District educational planning services encompassing student services and instructional programs.
- In April the District welcomed new Director of Information Technology Services Peter Maharaj. With more than two decades of information technology and business-related experience, Maharaj joined the District after serving as manager of Technology Services and Academic Computing for Cypress College in Orange County.
Further Innovation
- In March, the SDCCD expanded a partnership with San Diego State that further opened the door to students looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree. As two of SDSU’s “microsite” locations, Mesa College (which already offers its own bachelor’s degree in health information management) now offers pathways to bachelor’s degrees in business administration and applied arts in communication, and bachelor’s degrees in applied arts in communication and child development are offered at San Diego City College.
- A first-of-its kind collaboration between the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and City College, the Homelessness Program for Engaged Educational Resources (PEER) course, commenced in October to provide specialized education, training and job placement assistance to develop the workforce needed for programs and services that help San Diegans experiencing homelessness.