Special Report to the Public:
Geysil Arroyo
Trustee Geysil Arroyo said that she was thankful for the meeting held with Chancellor Gregory Smith and many of the public speakers about first amendment rights and apologized for the
confusion created by past actions and resolutions.
Trustee Mariah Jameson said that, as a student of social justice, she stands with
and for those being oppressed and suffering injustices.
Dr. Marichu Magaña
Trustee Marichu Magaña stated salam alaikum, or peace be upon you, and thanked everyone for their attendance at the meeting.
Craig Milgrim
Trustee Craig Milgrim acknowledged the City College Academic Senate childcare resolution and asked for previous districtwide survey data. He said he was moved by statements from students and faculty public speakers and apologized for past controversy around first amendment rights. He also reminded everyone of his belief that the best way to change the country is to get out and vote in every election possible.
Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
Trustee Maria Nieto Senour said that she heard the public comments about Palestine and that she appreciates those who speak out for others across the world, and added that she abhors that the U.S. supports such those atrocities.
Gregory Smith
Chancellor Gregory Smith reported that it is day 30 of the Federal shutdown with 750,000 employees furloughed and 730,000 employees still working, each with no pay, and he said that programs that provide crucial support to millions of others, including SNAP, will be impacted and students and employees will feel the repercussions. He reported that since the last Board Meeting, Governor Gavin Newsom had several key bills cross his desk, including AB 1400, which would have established a community college-level Nursing Baccalaureate pilot program that Governor Newsom vetoed. Chancellor Smith said the District strongly supported AB 1400 and will continue to do so at the state level in the footsteps of Chancellor Emerita Constance M. Carroll who championed the very first community college baccalaureate programs in California.
Celina Martinez
Student Trustee Celina Martinez reported that San Diego City College held multiple events in October, including the President's Forum, the San Diego Internship and Apprenticeship Fair, and a Halloween-themed Club Rush, giving students the opportunity to connect with leaders, employers, and campus clubs; San Diego Mesa College held their Mesa Pep Rally, which successfully celebrated student-athletes and fostered campus unity, showcasing Mesa College’s dedication to building a vibrant and supportive community; and that San Diego College of Continuing Education Student Trustee Yahir Melendez has been meeting with SDCCE student senators to support them in planning their semester events, including Filipino American Heritage Month and Halloween celebrations.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its regular meeting of October 30, 2025, which was conducted in-person, with online participation available, the Board of Trustees:
- Announced for Closed Session that the Board authorized settlement authority in connection with pending litigation.
- Conducted a campus meeting in a hybrid format with San Diego City College that included a land acknowledgment by Fabian Quevedo Equiha, welcome remarks from President Ricky Shabazz, Vice President of Instruction Tille Chavez, Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker, Vice President of Student Services Marciano Perez, Academic Senate President Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu, Classified Senate President Sean Ryan, Supervisory and Professional Administrators Association Site Director Daniel Gonzalez, and Associated Students Government President Celina Martinez. The presentation’s theme was ‘Do the Right Thing’ and included presentations on a variety of student services offered at the college by Vice President of Student Services Marciano Perez, including a presentation on the Veterans Mental Health Grant featuring Director of Admissions and Records Dora Meza, Veterans Mental Health Counselor Kim Lesnick and student Juan Salcedo Vargas, Jr; on the Asian America Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Center by AANHPI Student Success Coordinator Joshua Lindon and student Nicolei Perez; on the Yo Soy STEM grant by Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, Accessibility, and Social Justice (IDEAAS) Dean Claudia Diaz and student Samantha Rodriguez; and the California Youth Leadership Corps Fellowship Community-Based Immigration Legal Services Pathway by Job Placement Coordinator Roger Sanchez and student Catherina Demosthene; on instructional services highlights by Vice President of Instruction Tille Chavez and Dean Andy MacNeill; on the Student Project and Research Symposium by faculty member Erin Engstrom and symposium winners Elissa Ojeda, Dioana Jimenez, and Victor B. Lang; and an update on the Film, Journalism, and Media Production (FJMP) Programs with information about the various facets from faculty members Cy Kuckenbaker, Jodi Cilley, Nicole Vargas, Chris Acedo and Jodina Scazzola.
Received the initial proposal for the initial collective bargaining agreement for the Supervisory & Professional Administrators Association (SPAA); and the sunshined District’s response. SPAA President Kimberly Tapia introduced herself and the SPAA board as the unit prepares to begin negotiating its initial collective bargaining agreement.
- Heard public comment from Daniel Villegas addressed the Board regarding his concerns about areas he feels the District can improve and from 18 people who addressed the Board regarding free speech. City College Academic Senate (AS) President Mona Alsoraimi read a resolution in opposition to the use of surveillance technology and a resolution seeking a review of childcare policies and access for students and employees. She thanked the Board and City College campus administrators for working with students about first amendment rights policies. Mesa College AS President Mary Gwin thanked City College for its campus presentations. She reported that the October 10 Sprit of Mesa event raised more than $55,000 to support student equity; that President Ashanti Hands, along with President Ricky Shabazz, is a part of Generation Hope’s inaugural President’s Circle, which will center its work on how to better serve student parents. She also reported that faculty member Connie Renda was honored with the Triumph Award from the American Health Information Management Association; and that a recent Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) site visit went well toward accreditation compliance. She said the Mesa College AS passed a resolution to prioritize resources and engage in funding priorities for programs that provide equity for students, and she outlined three areas of concern voiced by the AS including safety and emergency planning, ongoing facilities issues, and budget processes. Miramar College AS President Rodrigo Gomez thanked City College for its campus presentations. He reported that the AS is working on the Student Equity plan and revising the Mission and Vision statement to ensure the language reflects the college’s core values around equity, inclusion, access and success, and respect for cultural diversity. AS is focused on representation for all faculty in shared governance; and he noted a vote was passed for AS to return to fully in-person meetings starting in Spring 2026. He acknowledged Miramar College for its recognition on the list of 200 eligible to apply for the 2027 Aspen Prize for community college excellence; as a No. 1 rated community college in California for Campuswide Transfer-Level English Success for English; and the campus culture of care and belonging being infused into all work. He said the annual campus Equity Summit was held on October 24, noting it’s highest attendance to-date and the keynote from Eric Felix. He reported that the college is working to build an interdisciplinary conversation on AI and that they are responding to student interest for an AI club on campus. College of Continuing Education AS President Richard Weinroth reported that he attended, along with AS Vice President Kelly Metz-Matthews, the Noncredit Regional Meeting on October 24 in Santa Clarita where discussion focused on ways to support high school students and their efforts to transfer to credit colleges; that Academic Senate for California Community Colleges Vice President Robert L. Stewart, Jr. attended a SDCCE AS meeting and spoke on processes and meeting efficiencies; and that the AS is working to expand senate leadership positions by introducing state-level liaison positions. He thanked Vice Chancellor Jared Burns for the Tech Hubs available on SDCCE campuses; and fellow AS President Gomez for helping him create an AI bot for parliamentary procedure. City College Classified Senate President Sean Ryan stated there was an All-Classified Senate retreat held in August, which was followed by monthly regular meetings since the start of the semester. He reported that discussions at meetings have included building a Teams network for shared projects; collaborative development of 9+1 statements with the hope of presenting a final draft in spring; professional development activities offerings; and a re-examination of fundraising with a focus on supporting student activities. He said in the future he hopes to have more comprehensive reports from each of the colleges.
- Conducted the first reading of Chapter 1 – The District, Chapter 2 – Board of Trustees, Chapter 3 – General Institution, Chapter 6 – Business and Financial Services, Chapter 7 – Human Resources Board Policies with approval to proceed with the next steps of review.
- Approved the Board Meeting Schedule for January to June 2026; and approved the appointment of Karena Sara to the Trustee Advisory Council (nominated by Trustee Geysil Arroyo).
- Adopted resolutions proclaiming November 2025 to be Native American Heritage Month; and approving the purchase of real property located at 5322 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA, from Feldman & Helfand for potential future District use.
- Authorized agreements with healthcare agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupation programs; and with the San Diego County Office of Education for the San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative (SDQPI) program.
- Approved new or revised courses and programs; and the instructional program discontinuance of the City College Real Estate Program and Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering Program following comments by Dean Shelly Hess.
- Accepted grants from the U.S. Department of Education for the Upward Bound Program at City College; for the HSI Program at Mesa College; and from the National Science Foundation for the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Grant at Miramar College; and from the Department of Industrial Relations/Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) for the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship program at Miramar College.
- Accepted grants from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) programs at City College and Mesa College; to extend the Innovation and Effectiveness Grant agreement with the College of Continuing Education; from the Foundation for California Community Colleges for Program Pathways Mapper implementation at City College; and from the San Diego State University Research Foundation for the Transnational Approaches to Sustainable Food Futures project at Mesa College.
- Authorized agreements with the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Education for Child Development programs at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges; and with the San Diego Workforce Partnership to enhance support to students in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Fire Protection Technology (FIPT) programs.
- Approved the contract of employment for Chancellor Gregory Smith.
- Awarded in RFP for the Oracle Student Financial Partner to Accenture, LLP; and awarded an amendment to West Consulting Services, Inc. to provide comprehensive project oversight, resource and budget management, stakeholder engagement, documentation, and compliance to support the successful implementation of ERP, SFP, and Fusion systems.
- Ratified the lease agreement for 1450 Frazee Road with Kosmont Companies; and all notices to proceed issued under Master Agreements for as needed services.
- Increased the value of the Master Agreements with Hammel, Green, and Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA) and Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. and Harris & Associates.
- Entered into a ground lease with Provident Resources Group (Provident) and approved project funding for the City College Affordable Student Housing Project; and into a contract with Danziger Public Relations to provide high-level oversight and management of District Measure HH Bond Communications.
- Awarded a cooperative agreement with 24 Hour Elevator, Inc. to remove and replace the existing motors, motor control system, hoist ropes, and integral elevator control gear at the Mesa College LRC Building,
- Entered into a contract with The Kya Group to remove the existing wood sports floor and install a new wood sports floor with game line striping and new center court logo at the Mesa College Gymnasium, and to remove the existing sod, grading, and rebuild the irrigation system, and install new sod and game-line striping at the City College soccer field under a CollegeBuys Master Service Agreement.
- Heard an update on the Emergency Action 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.
- Accepted the Measure HH Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee's Annual Report for fiscal year 2024-2025; approved the revised bylaws; and accepted the resignation of member James Moffat with appreciation expressed for his advice and support.
- Approved purchase orders, contracts, and change orders completed during September 2025; the 2024-25 Annual Financial Report, CCFS- 311; and various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after October 31, 2025.