Special Report to the public:
Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo reported that she attended all of the college convocations, and she commented that it is nice to see the readiness of employees to serve students in the new academic year. She said that she would like the Board to consider a resolution at a future board meeting in support of an ordinance being championed by City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera in response to federal immigration and customs enforcement actions.
Marichu Magaña
Trustee Marichu Magaña reported that she attended convocations at Miramar and City colleges, and that she hopes to make it to the other colleges’ events next year.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim wished Chancellor Gregory Smith a happy birthday. He reported that he attended the Regional Housing Finance Authority (RHFA) meeting; he, Trustee Mariah Jameson, and Chancellor Smith represent the District, along with board members from the San Diego Unified School District. The RHFA meeting was to define the mission and vision for supporting the RHFA. He said that work will continue through the end of the year. Trustee Milgrim said that he misses taking part in the first day of classes as a professor.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senor
Trustee Maria Nieto Senor said that she was interested to see that Tim Wise spoke at many recent campus events, and she hopes to obtain a recording that she can herself watch. She wished Chancellor Smith a happy birthday.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that he was in Sacramento in mid-August and was meeting with representatives on the same day as the hearings for proposed redistricting were taking place, which he said was a fascinating time to be at the State Capitol. He reported that the District continues to watch bills currently with Senate appropriations and hopes to provide updates during the October meeting. He said the District continues advocating for the nursing baccalaureate bill. Chancellor Smith said he is awaiting more details on the state budget agreement, particularly the $60 million allocated through the flexible block grant, which the District is awaiting instructions from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office regarding exact distribution to each of the colleges; he expects more clarity to report next month.
Chancellor Smith welcomed everyone back for the first week of classes at all the colleges. He said during this year’s convocations his key message was that, given the current climate, at the start of the summer he didn’t have the same relentless optimism that he came into the chancellor position with in 2023, but by going back to his mission and reflecting on his own journey as a community college student, it’s difficult for him not to get excited. He said that it’s everybody in the District that shows up every day for work and dedicates their service to students that really gives him energy to do what he needs to do. He reported that over the summer a guaranteed pathway partnership with San Diego State was announced, and that SDCCD is one of 5 districts in a pilot program offering a transfer pathway to Arizona State University’s fully online program at the in-state tuition rate. He said these two partnerships speak to serving many kinds of students, and the importance of providing many different pathways. Chancellor Smith said the District was successful in budget advocacy and noted funding for growth that will help 2024-25 and 2025-26, which he said will help as one-time funds, including COVID block grants, are set to expire, and that the District continues to work on contingency plans should federal funding be withheld. He reported that on August 22, the Department of Justice announced it was not going to defend the lawsuit against the Hispanic-Serving Institution grant program which has helped Mesa College accomplish a 15% increase in the number of Hispanic students completing their AA degree in STEM programs. Chancellor Smith said with $3.4 million in districtwide funding in question, he’s hopefully the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities will be able to take up that defense, an action he said the SDCCD is watching closely. He also said the District is advocating for an HSI designation at the state level. He closed by thanking Mary Gwin for mentioning the accreditation process and acknowledged Mesa College President Ashanti Hands and Vice President Isabel O’Connor for embracing the opportunity to go to work and correct earlier issues; he said that mindset is appreciated and knows the next visit will be a positive one.
Ariella O’Garro
Student Trustee Ariella O’Garro reported that the City College Associated Student Government held its annual retreat, August 14–15 during which they swore in many new members and shared core values of governance with one another. She said that Mesa College held its fall Convocation on August 21, where faculty, classified professionals, and administrators were welcomed back for the new academic year, and she acknowledged the great work of staff, President Hands, and the District leadership, Chancellor Smith and Board President Geysil Arroyo, on the event. Student trustee O’Garro reported that Miramar College hosted their Welcome Back Resources fair August 26-27 with ASG tabling to inform students about fall elections. College of Continuing Education hosted fall convocation on August 25 at the San Diego Central Library instead of the Theatre at Education Culture Complex due to renovations. Additionally, ASG hosted a retreat on August 27.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of August 28, 2025, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
Announced the following actions from Closed Session: The Board approved the tentative
agreement with the AFT Guild Local 1931 classified professionals unit for 2025-28
successor bargaining agreement.
Heard public comment from Irena Stojimirovic, Danica Moore, and Tiffy Nguyen regarding faculty pay; Moncia Romero provided a Management Association update; and Laura Lampe and Suzanne Khambata regarding the Timely Telehealth agreement. City College Academic Senate (AS) President
Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu talked about several AS priorities including the need for more professional development
and tools specific to the use of AI in teaching and learning. The AS is also interested
in more information on the District/College budget process as well as the hiring process
with the hope of improving the process and increasing the number of full-time positions.
She continued that campus safety and cleanliness are also a concern. Mesa College
AS President Mary Gwin reported the AS will hold a retreat on September 5, and the first meeting of the
new academic year will be September 15. She shared that enrollment is strong, and
things are going well. She also feels the college is in good shape for the upcoming
accreditation visit. Miramar College Academic Senate President Rodrigo Gomez said the AS has held its first executive meeting to discuss priorities and agreed
that there is a need for more support with AI. College of Continuing Education AS
President Richard Weinroth thanked Chancellor Gregory Smith and Board President Geysil Arroyo for participating at the college’s convocation at the San Diego Downtown Library,
where Tim Wise spoke. He concluded saying he looks forward to the new academic year. College of
Continuing Education Classified Senate President Esther Anthony-Thomas reported that the Senate is working on student scholarships. She mentioned that today
is the first day of the fall semester and thanked everyone for their support of the
shared governance process. She concluded by saying the Classified Senate retreat is
upcoming, and she welcomes the Chancellor and Board’s attendance.
- Adopted the deletion of a Chapter 3 – General Institution Board policy.
- Reviewed the results the Board of Trustees’ self-evaluation for 2024-25 and set goals for 2025-26. The Board members thanked all who participated in providing feedback regarding the Board’s performance and accomplishments as they continued to evaluate their accomplishments of the last year.
- Adopted a revised Board calendar for July-December 2025; and approved the removal of Bill Ponder from the Trustee Advisory Council (TAC) with appreciation for his advice and support.
- Authorized an agreement with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; and with the Neighborhood House Association to provide education, childcare, health and social services to Head Start and Early Had Start eligible children and families at City and Mesa colleges.
- Authorized student travel for Miramar College students to attend the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conference from October 29-November 1, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
- Approved an amended 2025-26 Student Fee Schedule; and accepted the annual Program Self-Evaluation for Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Accepted grants from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure grant and the Middle College High School program grant at City College; from Digital Promise for a national study examining the use of low-cost digital courseware in General Chemistry I courses at City College.
- Approved master agreements with Foundation for Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges for Strong Workforce including the Faculty Institute at City College and the Accelerating Career Education Outcomes at Miramar College; and from the Research Triangle Institute and Miramar College for the Pathways To Internship project.
- Accepted subawards from UC San Diego's Growing Equity and AI Learning Lab grants at City College; from Arizona State University's STEM KickStarter 2.0 Grant at City College; and from San Diego State University's research foundation to support career services for allied health and nursing students.
- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for the Mesa College STAR TRIO student support services program; from the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Institute (IEPI) to the District Office to support the continuous improvement of District-level participatory governance and the development of a district-level departmental review process and infrastructure.
- Accepted grants from the San Diego Housing Commission for the Program for Engaged Educational Resources (PEER) at City College; and from the California Department of Social Services for the operation of Child Development Centers at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges.
- Officially withdrew the application for the construction of student housing at City College from the California Senate Bill 169 Higher Education Student Housing Grant program.
- Authorized the use of the Cesar Chavez Elementary as an off-campus facility by College of Continuing Education; awarded an additional as-needed contracts for up to five years for Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing services on smaller Bond Measure HH projects districtwide from RFQ number 2425-177; and reviewed and ratified Notice to Proceeds issued under the Master Agreement for each selected firm for the RFQs for as-needed contracts awarded at the March and in April 2025 board meetings.
- Awarded bids for work category 11 A-B (Theatre & Stage Equipment) for the ECC Theatre renovation project; and to Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. for the City College – MaSS & VTC Garage Door Replacement project.
- Entered into Tenant Representation Services with for Cushman & Wakefield for swing space and other rental and real estate needs throughout the Measure HH Bond Program.
- Received a quarterly report of the budgeted expenses to actuals; and a report on recommended monthly board resolutions, to be considered in support of the District’s many diverse communities.
- Heard an update on the Emergency Action taken pursuant to PCC 22050 to replace 12kV transformer feeding power to M Building at Miramar College; the repair of water damage caused by a clogged sewer system on the fourth floor of the LRC Building at Mesa College; and reviewed and ratified emergency action taken to repair and replace fencing, landscaping and a greenhouse near the Harry West Gym at City College.
- Approved purchase orders and contracts completed during July 2025; the District’s Report of Participation in the San Diego County Investment Pool; the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office 2025 Annual Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Certification Form; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after August 29, 2025.