The Future of Higher Education in our Community: Transforming San Diego City College
There’s a national dialogue occurring about schools re-opening. We sat down with San Diego City College (SDCC) leaders to find out how the pandemic is impacting
SDCC operations
Needs of SDCC students
Educational trends
Fireside Chat
Clockwise from top left: Jessica Schatz FODSD, Marciano Perez SDCC, Patricia Waldron FODSD, Ricky Shabazz SDCC
Impact on SDCC Operations
What was the immediate impact of COVID on students, faculty, staff and communities?
We have been 100% online since March, and had an increase in Summer Semester enrollment after a number of Spring Semester drop-outs. Fall Semester will be on line for classes in two weeks, with a few appropriately distanced and safe in-person sessions for areas where hand-on instruction is required. SDCC is relying on administrative and faculty teams to support for the students and learn as they go – there is no playbook for a pandemic and everyone is being as flexible as possible.
What are the biggest challenges going forward?
Keeping people off campus is the hardest part – many want to security and services of SDCC. Is it an adjustment for students as well as professors who have had to adjust to teaching from home. Many essential staff members are working every day to make sure the campus is safe and operating.
Technology is so important. SDCC will only equip faculty and staff with laptops in the future, as many relied previously on desktops, which are not as flexible. Many students do not have laptops or even wifi and depend on campus for the resource, so the teams are working to help students get online and continue their studies.
Are there any positives to come out of this situation?
Everyone is learning to be more flexible and adaptive. The modality of learning remotely is new, and everyone learns differently, so professors are adapting to new ways of facilitating learning. SDCC is also becoming more intentional with communicating with students, given that in-person conversations are not possible at this time.
How is SDCC responding with short and longer-term plans?
Classes will be remote for the fall and possibly spring semester as well. SDCC is taking the pandemic step by step. Students are asked to avoid large gatherings and keep social distance to stay safe. However, some classes are ‘hard to convert’ and require hands-on learning, such as HVAC, nursing and cosmetology, so SDCC will have to be strategic as far as use of space for students to get the right education and continue with their studies. Campus may have alternating shifts as they move forward due to health and safety concerns. Stay tuned for more information as the state and local officials determine policies.
Impact and Needs of SDCC Students
What are you hearing from students?
Campus is more than school. SDCC students’ lives are happening around school and their biggest needs are: financial support since many have lost jobs in the service sector and many have families to support, food since our Emergency Food Pantry is not able dispense food and technology since remote learning is the status quo.
How has COVID changed students’ abilities to achieve their educational goals?
SDCC students are very resilient and committed to achieving their educational goals. That said, some were unable to continue spring semester, and some are taking fewer credits so they can attend to home and family situations.
What new programs have you put in place to address new challenges faced by students?
With the help of alumni, donors and San Diego Foundation we have been able to:
Supply students with Chromebooks and Hot Spots so they can take online classes
Provide funds electronically through the CARES Act and by raising funds from various entities for student support. SDCC has started to use electronic payments (paypal) to get funds directly to students in a contactless way.
Create a WiFi Parking Lot on campus so students can safely learn online
Hold a ‘Virtual Graduation’ where students, families and friends met in via drive-thru to receive diplomas and all the trimmings of an in-person ceremony. It was truly heart-warming to see even Uber / Lyft drivers celebrate with our students, allowing them to decorate cars
Plan a ‘Virtual Commencement’ with speaker for students later this summer
Educational Trends
More parents are looking to SDCC for their kids instead of traditional college, since the traditional college campus experience is not available at this time.
Greater demand in short-term certificates, such as HVAC, machining (manufacturing systems) that are ‘recession-proof’
High interest in the Business of Cannabis curriculum that was recently initiated
About Our Speakers
Ricky Shabazz, Ed.D.
President, San Diego City College
San Diego Community College District
Dr. Ricky Shabazz is an enthusiastic, student-centered leader with over 18 years of executive experience advancing academic achievement, educational equity, diversity, and improving access to higher education. Dr. Shabazz is a team builder with an accomplished track record developing collaborative partnerships that improve student success. He is specializing in enrollment management and cultivating institutional policies, processes, and culture that provide both personalized student experiences and improved student outcomes. His mother was a teenage parent, and he was the first person in his family to attend college. Dr. Shabazz is a promotor of innovative solutions that stimulate inclusive dialogs amongst all stakeholders, and he is a passionate lifelong learner who is absolutely committed to the mission of community colleges to educate a diverse community of learners.
Dr. Shabazz currently serves as the President of San Diego City College, where he provides executive leadership at one of the most innovative and socially active community colleges in the nation. His duties include leading interventions and discussions aimed at improving completion, success, and equity of culturally diverse students.
Dr. Shabazz is the former Vice Present of Student Services at San Bernardino Valley College, where his responsibilities included providing leadership to offices and programs such as Admissions and Records, Assessment, Counseling, Financial Aid, Outreach, Student Development and Student Discipline, ASB, EOPS/CARE, CalWORKs, Disabled Student Services, Federal TRIO programs, Foster Care Education Programs, First Year Experience, the Transfer Center, and Graduation. His team opened one of the state’s first Dreamer’s Resource Centers, and in his last year at Valley College, the college graduated one of its largest graduating classes.
As the former Dean of Student Services at El Camino College Compton Center, Dr. Shabazz provided leadership for enrollment management and all of Compton Center’s student services programs. Under his leadership, Compton Center’s image greatly improved in the community and enrolled grew from 6,700 students in 2006/07 to approximately 14,000 students in 2012/13. During the 2012/13 academic year, Compton Center graduated and transferred more students than in the school’s recent history.
In addition to his work at the Compton Center, Dr. Shabazz has extensive experience in enrollment management and college admissions. He has held positions as Associate Director in the Office of Admissions at Harvey Mudd College; Director of the MESA program and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of California, Davis (UCD); and Analyst in the University of California Office of the President.
Dr. Shabazz earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino and a bachelor’s degree from UCD. Dr. Shabazz’s research expertise is in increasing college access for underrepresented students. He is a graduate of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) Mentorship and Admin 101 programs, a Lakin Fellow, and an alumnus of Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) President’s Academy.
Marciano Perez, Jr. Dean of Student Affairs San Diego City College
Marciano Perez, Jr. is the current Dean of Student Affairs for San Diego City College. He joined San Diego City College in 2016 after serving as the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life at UCSD for almost 18 years. With over 29 years working in education, his primary focus is on a creating a team environment for his staff while focusing on student equity, leadership and success. Marciano is responsible for overseeing Student Life, Associated Students Government, Leadership & Service Programs, Basic Needs Initiatives, Student Conduct, Collaborative Care Team and Financial Aid. He is skilled and knowledgeable in leadership, student development, advocacy, student equity and social justice. A first-generation college graduate from a low income background himself, his personal and professional experiences influence his advocacy and support for college students. He earned his B.A. in Spanish Literature at Denison University and his Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at Ball State University.