“I’m honored to receive this nomination from the SDCCD. Equitable educational offerings and supports are more important now than ever, and the district’s unwavering commitment to students has been an inspiration for me and my work. I look forward to continuing to develop useful reporting tools and supporting the use of data to improve outcomes for students at SDCCD and our extraordinary partners in the San Diego region,” said Bass, who has worked with the SDCCD’s Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness division since 2018.
The California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year Awards honor community college classified employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to Vision 2030 and equitable student outcomes. Recipients are nominated by their colleagues and endorsed by the local Board of Trustees.
“In every project he takes on, Steve exudes a sense of responsibility and a genuine desire to make a difference. He embodies the spirit of service and leadership, always going above and beyond to create lasting, meaningful change in the educational community. His focus on inclusivity, coupled with his tireless work ethic and passion for student success, makes Steve an exceptional candidate for the 2025 Classified Employee of the Year Award,” said Dr. Michelle Fischthal, SDCCD vice chancellor of Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness.
In his role as a Research and Planning analyst, Bass has been instrumental in supporting faculty and administrators to identify and reflect on disproportionate impact and equity gaps across programming, helping them use data to inform action and close gaps in access, success, and completion through actionable recommendations, data coaching, and leadership in initiatives that are carried from inception to completion.
Over the past six years, Bass has led and supported a wide range of research, data, and practitioner engagement efforts that directly address the state’s Vision 2030 metrics, particularly focusing on dual enrollment, distance education, student persistence, and the use of data analytics for equity. He is a key resource for supporting campus leaders, including presentations at colleges' cabinet and continuous professional development, to embrace equity-minded practices. He has also played a critical role in supporting the district’s work on AB 1705, helping to interpret and use data to improve equitable placement and completion in English and math. Through ongoing collaboration with SDCCD Outreach, Study Abroad, Honors, Distance Education, and CTE programs, and by regularly engaging in professional development on equity, Steve embodies Vision 2030’s focus on student-centered, data-informed, and equity-driven transformation.
Bass began his tenure with the SDCCD as a project assistant in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research in 2018 and, in less than a year, became a Research and Planning analyst for the district. Prior to his arrival with the district, Bass served as a College Bound Program Manager for Yalla San Diego. Bass holds a master’s degree in education from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in literature and writing from the University of California, San Diego.
California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year Award winners are selected by representatives from the Board of Governors, Consultation Council, and the Chancellor’s Office. Up to four recipients will be announced and honored at the May 2025 Board of Governors meeting.