Special Report to the Public:
Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that she heard, along with Trustee Craig Milgrim, an electrification resolution presented by Jim Miller of City College and Serena Pelka of Climate Action Plan San Diego on ways in which to improve upon the District’s carbon footprint. She said she attended on November 20 the meeting of the California Association of Latino Community College Trustees and Administrators where they honored Trustee Maria Nieto Señour with the inaugural Trustee of the Year award for her 35 years of service to the District. She noted she will miss Margaret Lamb who is retiring at the end of the year, and welcomed Jorge Fuentes who will fill her role as director of Chancellor’s Office Operations.
Mariah Jameson
Trustee Mariah Jameson expressed her appreciation for the college holiday parties and reported that she attended the Urban League of San Diego dinner on December 11, along with fellow trustees and Chancellor Gregory Smith, as well as The Blue Heart Foundation breakfast where College of Continuing Education President Tina M. King was honored as the Community Activist of the Year. She also noted she is concluding her first year as a trustee and thanked everyone for their support. She noted she too will miss Margaret Lamb, and she wished everyone happy holidays filled with lots of rest.
Marichu Magaña
Trustee Marichu Magaña said that it was a quick, but difficult year in the sense that there was so much going on and so much of it negatively affected so many people around her. She commented that, if we work together, we can come up with varied solutions on the way to success. She encouraged everyone to unwind and de-stress during the holidays.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim reported that he enjoyed his time at the college and District Office holiday parties and that he’s already looking forward to 2026 activities. He said that he is appreciative of students who speak in front of the board at meetings, and he noted that holidays take place during the time of year around winter solstice, which means they are the shortest days, but that longer days filled with sunshine are near.
Dr. Maria Nieto Señour
Trustee Maria Nieto Señour commended all four colleges and the District Office for their holiday gatherings, and wished everyone rest, relaxation, joy, and love during the winter break.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith apologized to students who spoke during public comments for his lack of response, and said he would prioritize communication, and to Miramar College for missing its holiday celebration. He congratulated City and Mesa colleges for their recognition as Black-Serving Institutions for the work that has been going on at their campuses for generations, and thanked managers and supervisors for attending 36-hour operational schedule meetings ahead of the District’s trial period starting January 5. He reflected on 2025 as a unique year where the District made great progress and put its values into action. Chancellor Smith also thanked Margaret Lamb for her persistent efforts to support the District and its students for nearly 40 years as she transitions into retirement, while also welcoming Jorge Fuentes.
He reported that the Governor’s January budget proposal for 2026-27 is expected in a few weeks for which the District continues to advocate for COLA, additional growth funding, prior year unfunded growth that has been unfunded, and another flexible block grant to support programs being affected by federal budget cuts. He said that February will see the start of the legislative calendars and expects to have updates in March for bills to follow.
Ariella O’Garro
Student Trustee Ariella O’Garro reported that City College hosted a Winter Wonderland event on December 10-11; Mesa College hosted a Holiday De-stress event on December 18; Miramar College Associated Student Government members attended the Advocacy Academy on December 5-7 and shared key takeaways at a December ASG meeting; and College of Continuing Education held Winter Wonderland events during the week of December 8 with the culminating Family Day being held on December 12 at the Educational Cultural Complex.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of December 18, 2025, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
- Heard public comment from Monica Romero, on behalf of the Management Association, who asked for parity with other divisions; from Jesse Keller, Jaren Hodder, and Tom Lekovish regarding the need for a film production program at Mesa College; from Serina Cuza, Marco Guajardo, Danny Airozo, Montezuma who urged the board to create a policy on divestment. City College AS President Mona Alsoraimi reported the AS is welcoming a new interim chair of chairs, and that there is a lot of discussion about the need for additional sabbaticals given changes that have occurred. While recognizing it is a bargaining issue, she asked Chancellor Gregory Smith to consider adding more sabbaticals. She continued that faculty are working on a new Faculty Hiring Process (FHP) and are excited to approve the new process next semester. She concluded by addressing issues of messaging around free speech including social media posts attacking Muslims and others. She said the District should be a safe place for students and employees and that leading with integrity is still possible. Mesa College AS President Mary Gwin shared that the Leadership in Environment Action for the Future (LEAF) program is receiving statewide recognition. She reported that the college has received designation as a Black-Serving Institution, established a partnership with the Mexican Consulate, and that Bryan Malinis recently won a major award for forensics faculty. She said that the AS last met on December 1 and passed resolutions adding a part-time faculty member to its executive committee, asked to receive education codes in a timelier manner, and expressed concern on the budget and matters of health and safety. Miramar College AS President Rodrigo Gomez said discussions are underway on a variety of topics including LEAF and the college’s Aspen Nomination, returning to fully in-person Senate meetings, the Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) vote, and how to maintain meaningful professional development. He also talked about the need for AI literacy and the need for standard guidelines across the District. College of Continuing Education AS President Richard Weinroth said the AS appreciates the opportunity to engage with the Board of Trustees. He said faculty are tired and doing a lot as the end of the calendar year approaches. He concluded by expressing his appreciation for faculty for their service on committees. College of Continuing Education Classified Senate President Esther Anthony-Thomas spoke about the tremendous accomplishments that have taken place this year. The Classified Senate at SDCCE has joined with those at the credit colleges to have a greater statewide presence. She expressed appreciation for the Board’s support.
- Adopted revisions to Chapter 3 – General Institution Board Policies.
- Conducted the Board’s Annual Organizational Meeting:
- Electing Trustee Geysil Arroyo as president of the Board;
- Electing Trustee Craig Milgrim as executive vice president of the Board;
- Appointing Chancellor Gregory Smith as secretary to the Board;
- Appointing Trustee Maria Nieto Senour as vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Trustee Mariah Jameson as vice president for Legislative Advocacy; and Trustee Marichu Magaña as vice president for Institutional Effectiveness.
- Discussing matters of policy or function as determined by the Board; and announced that the chancellor has made the following subcommittee appointments based on responses to a previous request: Accreditation, Student Equity, and Success subcommittee (Senour, Arroyo); Board Budget Study and Audit subcommittee (Milgrim, Magaña); Facilities and Sustainability subcommittee (Magaña, Arroyo); Board Evaluation/Goal Setting and Chancellor’s Evaluation subcommittee (Senour, Jameson); and Housing subcommittee (Jameson, Milgrim).
- Adopted a resolution authorizing a districtwide closure on January 2, 2026; and approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor Susan Topham.
- Authorized agreements with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; an amended memorandum of understanding with BlueForge Alliance to develop a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) program; and a study abroad program for Mesa College to London, England in June-July 2026.
- Accepted grants from the California Department of Social Services for the Child Development Centers at San Diego City, San Diego Mesa, and San Diego Miramar colleges; and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Equal Employment Opportunity Innovative Best Practices Grant.
- Canceled a prior award to Arrow Lift for the ECC Theatre Renovation Project.
- Awarded a bid to A. Preman Roofing and a cooperative agreement with The Garland Company, Inc., both for the District Service Center South Fluid Applied Roofing Project.
- Awarded a cooperative agreement to 24 Hour Elevator, Inc. to replace the motor control system and hydraulic power unit system, and upgrade the elevator carriage and hallway door operators and control systems at the City College Garfield Parking Structure Elevator; and to Cultura to procure/furnish and install walls in Building I at Miramar College, Room I-130.
- Awarded a bid to Geil Kilns for Miramar Kiln Replacement.
- Entered into a contract with Macula Contracting to provide Risk Management department support in the Operations, Enterprise Services, and Facilities division.
- Heard terminations of the Emergency Actions taken pursuant to PCC 22050 to repair water damage caused by a clogged sewer system on the fourth floor of the LRC Building at Mesa College; and to repair and replace fencing, landscaping and a greenhouse near the Harry West Gym at City College.
- Reviewed and ratified emergency action taken to repair the baseball outfield fence and netting at Mesa College.
- In connection with the Measure HH Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee, accepted the resignation of student member Zora Williams with appreciation expressed for her advice and support; and appointed Marc Berkowitz and Jasmine Zhou Lane.
- Approved purchase orders and contracts completed during November 2025; notices to proceed and change orders completed during October and November 2025; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after December 19, 2025.
Prior to the regular meeting, the Board of Trustees held a special meeting during which the Board:
- Reviewed and ratified emergency action taken to overhaul a non-operational chiller at the Miramar College central plant.