San Diego Community College District

Mesa College student body President Zora Williams aims to enhance the on-campus experience Second-year student Zora Williams is using her voice to bring more mental health and nutrition programming to San Diego Mesa College. Williams was elected president of the college’s Associated Students (AS) for the 2024-2025 academic year and serves as the college’s student representative on the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. “This new role has been a really good learning opportunity. At first, I felt a little nervous knowing the other (student) trustees are political science majors and are heavily involved in politics,” reflected Williams, 21, on winning the election in the spring. “It is exciting to learn more about governance and to really see how change is made in our country, in our city, and at Mesa.” After studying online for a year at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, she enrolled at Mesa College to study mathematics and humanities. “My mom and my god parents work in higher education. Achieving my degree is a big thing for me,” said Williams, whose goal is to transfer to Spelman College, a historically Black, women's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. “Living in San Diego there is not a big Black community,” she said. “I have often been the only Black person in academic settings. Spelman would provide an excellent education where race and ethnicity is not a barrier.” Before she can attend her dream HBCU, Williams is taking her time to make an impact at Mesa College. “As the ASG president and student trustee, I get to be a voice for people who won't get to be heard or can't be heard,” Williams said. “We can have more collaboration across student-run organizations to strengthen the college’s multicultural lens.” Mesa College is the leading college of equity and excellence and is among the largest community colleges in California with 30,000 students enrolled each year. Read the full article at https://bit.ly/4bZOtsn

The San Diego Promise 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. The deadline to apply for Fall 2024 is Monday, August 5, 2024. https://lnkd.in/gkX6CcXU

Some wonderful memories from the San Diego Pride Parade.

Fall 2024 classes start August 19 at San Diego City, Mesa and Miramar Colleges and September 3 at College of Continuing Education. Are you ready? Apply today, meet with a counselor, organize your education plan, check out the free-tuition program the San Diego Promise. sdccdstart.com

Thank you to everyone who walked with the SDCCD in the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday. We love being a part of this incredible community event every year. Happy Pride, San Diego!

CBS 8 San Diego broadcast the San Diego Pride Parade this year. You can see the SDCCD roll through at 1:47. https://lnkd.in/gdtmxkPG

The SDCCD at the San Diego Pride Parade!

We can't wait to see everyone at the Pride Parade tomorrow! The first 400 participants in the SDCCD contingent will receive a free T-shirt designed by one of our students, Therese Merrique of San Diego City College. Here's how you can find us: Contingent #114 In front of the DMV on Normal Street  Between Harvey Milk Street and Lincoln When to arrive at Pride and when we will get started: Arrive time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the parade site. Start Moving Estimate: 11 a.m. Step-off Estimate: 11:35 a.m.

Want to join the Mesa Press? Learn how to communicate? Take journalism classes here at Mesa! Register for Fall 2024 classes before space runs out at https://buff.ly/4cx1uLf

"I created a new way of teaching in higher education. I did it to revolutionize and transform student lives! It’s a culture for learning which already exists in every college and university, including having a mindset for learning (most important!), and knowing how to approach the learning." - Rafael Alvarez is the director of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program at San Diego City College. https://bit.ly/3LpAaml The San Diego Union-Tribune