Enrollment is making a comeback following the pandemic, increasing in both 2023 and 2024 academic years. The district officially welcomed new Chancellor Gregory Smith after several months of serving as acting chancellor. An increased minimum wage for district employees was a great way to kick off the year. We welcomed two new vice chancellors - Jared Burns, VC of People Culture and Technology Services and Daniel Troy, VC of Finance and Business Services. Our most recent win was the approval of a $3.5 billion construction bond to improve facilities throughout the district.
All of this caught people’s attention. In 2024, there were 1.7 million users and 4.8 million page views on the district website with 120,000 of those views just in our NewsCenter. Here are the top stories from NewsCenter in 2024.
No. 10
782 page views – Construction bond heads to the November ballot
The Board of Trustees voted in July to place a $3.5 billion construction bond measure
on the ballot that would fund critical construction and modernization projects. The
funding would go toward renovating and modernizing classrooms, job training facilities,
instructional laboratories, advanced technology centers, and more. Examples of projects
to be funded by the bond include student centers, veterans’ centers, and program facilities
including aviation, welding, HVAC and other building trades. San Diego voters overwhelmingly
approved Measure HH in the general election.
No. 9
940 page views – Internationally recognized professor expands piano emeritus program
The Spring issue of WE Magazine featured Helena Wei, pianist and professor of music
for the San Diego College of Continuing Education’s emeritus program. She serves as
an assistant program chair of the Emeritus program and is a contract faculty member
overseeing more than 430 students through six levels of piano courses ― from beginners
to advanced ― and two performance masterclasses. Wei’s passion for performance was
an acquired taste for her, but playing publicly is something she encourages. She organizes
monthly recitals and an annual Emeritus Benefit Concert to help enrich her students’
love of music.
No. 8
1,009 page views – New Vice Chancellor of Finance and Business Services
In April it was announced that Daniel Troy would become the new Vice Chancellor of
Finance and Business Services. Troy came to the SDCCD from the San Luis Obispo County
Community College District’s Cuesta College, where he has served as assistant superintendent/vice
president of Administrative Services. “Dan will be a great addition to our executive
leadership group,” said SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith. “His deep expertise in community
college and state finance will ensure our district continues to be a recognized leader
in fiscal policy decisions impacting our students.” Troy wasn’t the only new vice
chancellor to join the district this year. Jared Burns, Ph.D., J.D. was named the
new Vice Chancellor of People, Culture, and Technology Services in May. Both started their new positions in June.
No. 7
1,104 page views - EMT pre-apprenticeship academy starts in June
A cost-free Pre-Apprenticeship Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Academy launched
in June. The partnership between the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee
(Cal-JAC) and San Diego College of Continuing Education was first of its kind for
Southeastern San Diego. The academy offered the opportunity for San Diego residents
18 and older to earn their EMT completion certificate as a first step toward a career
in the fire service. Overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow
5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
No. 6
1,212 page views - More than 16,000 degrees, certificates to be awarded
May is the beginning of Commencement Season. It’s a time of recognizing our students,
handing out scholarships, and of course, students finally receiving the degrees and
certificates before heading off to the next step. It’s also known as smile season
– a time where the college community, students and families can come together and
celebrate these incredible graduates.
No. 5
1,249 page views – Career fair to feature 100-plus employers
The districtwide career fair in March was well-attended by students looking for work
and employers looking to hire. Students were first given the opportunity to attend
workshops prior to the event to help prep their interviewing skill and spruce up their
resumes. At the event students met with prospective employers and explore their options.
Some employers even conducted on-the-spot interviews. A photographer was available
to give students professional head shots for their online presence. SDCCD was honored
recently with the Career Spark Award by the online recruiting app Handshake for its efforts in helping students find jobs,
by collaborating with businesses, leading workshops, and holding hiring events. Any
student looking for support with career planning is encourage to visit the Career Center on their campus.
No. 4
1,873 page views – Intersession classes to begin Jan. 2
Intersession classes, held between fall and spring semesters, allows students to get
in one extra class on an abbreviated timeline. Most classes are four weeks and are
available in person, hybrid and online. It’s a great way to catch up or get ahead.
Registration for the 2025 Intersession and Spring semester is now open.
No. 3
2,292 page views – Chancellor Smith’s response to the California Budget Proposal
January is the time of year where K-12, Community Colleges, Cal State Universities,
and Universities of California get a first look at how their budgets next year might
be affected by state funding. The California Budget Proposal is issued by the governor
in January, followed by a May Revise. These funds can affect new or existing programs,
the Student Centered Funding Formula, the Cost of Living Allowance and more. Usually
following the governor’s presentation the SDCCD chancellor issues a response to the
presentation to explain how it will affect the district.
No. 2
2,394 page views – Registration for tuition-free Promise program is open for fall 2024
The San Diego Promise is a program offers up to two years of free tuition, along with
health fees, access to peer mentors, student success coaches and academic counselors.
Students with financial need are eligible for additional book grants and instructional
supplies. Since 2016 more than 6,000 students across the district have benefited from
the program, giving them the chance to transfer to a four-year university or enter
the workforce without the burden of student-loan debt. The program is open to recent
high school graduates as well as veterans, undocumented students, foster youth, formerly
incarcerated and returning SDCCD students who meet certain criteria. Applications for the San Diego Promise are currently being accepted for students attending in Spring 2025. Learn more about the San Diego Promise.
No. 1
6,148 page views - District boosts minimum wage to over $30 per hour
New Chancellor Gregory Smith started off his tenure with a bang with an unprecedented
increase in the minimum wage throughout the District. Full-time employees would now
make a minimum of $30.58 per hour or $63,606 annually. Part-time employees would make
a minimum of $22.31 per hour or $46,404 annually. This was a goal that Smith set for
the SDCCD after learning that an MIT study found that two working adults raising two
children in the San Diego metropolitan area need to make $30.58 per hour to support
themselves and their family. A single adult with no children must earn $22.31 to support
themselves. "We know of no other public or school agency that has done this, and we
believe it is important to lead by example," Smith said. "The professionals serving
the educational needs of our local communities deserve a wage which allows them to
live in our community and meet their basic needs."
See current job opportunities at the SDCCD
Multimedia
Our news articles weren't the only media getting attention. Our photo galleries and videos garnered 650,605 views in NewsCenter and on social media in 2024.
Here's our top mulitmedia of the year
Commencement Coverage (photos and video) - 42,798 Total Views
- 28,236 views - Miramar College Commencement
- 6,020 views - City College Commencement
- 5,059 views - Mesa College Commencement
- 3,483 views - College of Continuing Education Commencement
319,060 views - Fall Promotional video
20,040 views - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade coverage (photos and video)
19,856 views - Be. Belong. Become. video
15,077 views – Pride Parade Coverage (photos and video)
13,830 views - Community celebration to welcome Chancellor Smith (photos and video)
12,330 views - Districtwide Career Fair (photos and video)
11,513 views - First week of the fall semester coverage (photos and video)
8,519 views - Convocations at City, Mesa, Miramar colleges and the College of Continuing Education (photos)
6,929 views - Keeping the Promise annual fundraising event
6,670 views - Rep. Sara Jacobs secures nearly $2M in federal funding for SDCCD (photos and video)