Spring 2022 at the San Diego Community College District marked a more broad reopening
of campuses and the District Office. This semester, students and faculty were able
to participate in more in-person learning and activities. Research and apprenticeships
were able to get back underway, while two of our colleges, Mesa College and the College
of Continuing Education prepare for new leadership. Here are more stories from Spring
2022 at the SDCCD:
Diving into Research - Students at the SDCCD are helping protect the ocean through a new internship program at the Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory, a state-of-the-art research facility owned by San Diego State University. The internship program pairs each SDCCD student with a graduate student mentor conducting research at the lab. The interns support that research by helping to analyze data, monitoring equipment, doing hands-on fieldwork, and more.
Strong Women Inspire a Generation - Multiple studies have shown that women who have a supportive circle of other women are more likely to land leadership roles, be happier in their lives, and be more productive in their work.
At the San Diego Community College District, these findings have proven true. Women who hold multiple roles throughout the District — from Tanya Hertz, a San Diego Miramar College associate professor who inspires the next generation of female entrepreneurs, to Isabel O'Connor, the vice president of instruction at San Diego Mesa College — regularly inspire other women to step out of their comfort zone and empower them to rise to the top.
“I want my students to feel a sense of confidence and pride in who they are — giving them opportunities to lead will do that," said Mariam Mena who leads City Women Rock at San Diego City College.
President Pamela T. Luster To Retire - After 11 years of serving as President of San Diego Mesa College, Dr. Pamela T. Luster prepares to retire. It has been a whirlwind of accomplishments, including most recently receiving the 2022 Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award from the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA), and challenges for Luster. The capstone of her career is creating a culture, along with amazing colleagues, to establish the college vision as "The Leading College of Equity and Excellence."
Apprenticeship Readiness Program - This new program at the San Diego College of Continuing Education launched in March 2020 as a worldwide pandemic hit. The free program runs for 12 weeks, and, upon graduation, students are qualified to apply to a registered apprenticeship program in the construction trade unions. That acceleration is highly desirable because the apprenticeship itself can take four to five years to complete. The program is placing students in registered trade union apprenticeships at a 97% success rate.
Standout Student Emily Smith - Associated Student Government Secretary Emily Smith's educational journey ultimately landed at Miramar College after an impassioned friend told her about the great relationships he was able to forge with professors and through club activities while there. Ahead of graduating this month with an associate degree in biology, With Excellence (WE) magazine spoke with Smith about her campus involvement, biggest challenges, and most memorable moments while at Miramar College.
Student Housing at City College - While the SDCCD does not have significant funding to build new housing, what it does have is available land. It also has the ability to bring together important local partners, including developers, housing advocates, and local and state government agencies — all with similar goals around affordable housing. These partnerships already are paying off. The state recently awarded City College a $344,000 planning grant to conduct a feasibility analysis for student housing. The college has plans for a $130 million, 13-story, 613-bed student residence hall on its East Village campus in downtown San Diego.
Also in the Spring 2022 WE magazine:
- New President at the San Diego College of Continuing Education
- Top Recognition for Study Abroad Program
- Mesa College Quad Grand Opening
- Scholarships Granted
- Establishing a Land Acknowledgment at City College
- Mesa College Gets Military-Friendly Designation
- Miramar College Professor Scott Moller Receives Recognition
- IT and Cyber Security Program at Continuing Education