News

MESA COLLEGE RALLIES TO SEND FELLOW STUDENT ON ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Mesa College students are leading a fundraising campaign to help send fellow student Hermes Castro, who is an incomplete paraplegic, on an Antarctic expedition next March with world renown explorer Sir Robert Swan. The campaign kicks off this week with an information table in the Cafeteria Quad and an all-day fundraiser at Mountain Mike's Pizza in Clairemont on December 7. The community is invited to participate.

The only person in the world to have walked across both polar caps, Sir Robert Swan met Hermes following a lecture he gave at Mesa College last spring. He was so moved and inspired by Hermes that he invited the student to join him on his Inspire Antarctic Expedition in March 2009. All costs would be covered, except transportation and any special equipment Hermes would need.

Hermes' fellow students were also inspired by the engaging 29-year-old sports enthusiast, certified personal trainer, and hydro geology major who was left an incomplete t11-t12 paraplegic after being hit by a drunken driver head-on in September, 2006.

Led by the Mesa College Interclub Council, Mesa students plan to raise the cost of travel expenses and special equipment that Hermes requires. Their goal is to raise $10,000 to cover the costs of airfare and transportation, special equipment and gear and computers and electronics.

Fundraising efforts kick off this week with an information table in Mesa's Cafeteria Quad. On Sunday, December 7, students will host a fundraiser at Mountain Mike's Pizza in Clairemont, which will donate 30 percent of all orders to Hermes Castro and his journey to Antarctica. Downloadable invitations are available at www.mtnmikes.com; or call 619-ASK-MIKE.

More information can be found and future fundraising efforts will be posted at www.hermescastro.com and www.sdmesa.edu. Financial contributions are also being accepted. For more information, call 619-388-2699.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Students Hosting Information Table 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Wed-Thu in Mesa Quad
Fundraiser Set for Sunday Dec. 7 at Mountain Mike's Pizza; Hermes Castro to Attend

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lina Heil, Information Officer
lheil@sdccd.edu, 619-388-2759
Zephra Borges, Student, Mesa College Interclub Council
zephra@mac.com, 619-414-0752

SAN DIEGO MESA WOMEN'S SOCCER MAKES HISTORIC RUN TO STATE FINAL FOUR

#1 Santa Rosa vs. #7 San Diego Mesa College -- Friday Dec. 5th at 4 PM
#1 Cerritos vs. #3 Modesto -- Friday Dec. 5th at 7 PM
Winners meet for the State Championship on Sunday at 2 PM.

(San Diego, Calif.) -- For the first time in the history of San Diego Community College Women's Soccer programs, a team has advanced to the State Final Four. Since the inception of Women's Soccer in 1988, no community college team from San Diego County has ever made it this far. In addition, this is the first time this high of seed (#7) has ever made it to the final four from Southern California. Mesa College's run began on November 22nd:

#7 San Diego Mesa 1 #10 Santa Barbara 0 in 2 OT
In their first home playoff game, a back and forth affair found both teams desperate for a good chance on goal. Yasmina Taketa had two fantastic crosses in the first half but Mesa was unable to convert. Mesa finally broke through in the first minute of the first overtime as Taketa took the corner kick and sent it to the near post. Sola Esparza flicked it on from the near post where Danielle Carr headed towards goal. The second header hit the post and after a scuffle in front of the box, Jessica Hernandez slid through the fray and put the ball in the back of the net. Santa Barbara applied pressure throughout the match but Tiffany Apple was up to the task and had 6 key saves to preserve the shutout.

#7 San Diego Mesa 2 #2 Ventura 0
On Tuesday night, November 25th in a driving rain, San Diego Mesa took on the #2 seed Ventura College Pirates. Despite the adverse conditions, Mesa came out on fire and scored in the fifth minute on a cross from Emily Jenkins, tapped on by Yasmina Taketa and calmly deposited in the back of the net by Chelsea Gentry. Fifteen minutes later, a nifty one-two pass from Taketa to Sola Esparza resulted in Esparza calmly firing a low liner past the outstretched arms of the Ventura keeper. After dominating the first half, Mesa held strong in the second half and the MVP of the match had to be defender Sierra Williams. She shut down All-State Forward Jaz Strozier all game and helped Tiffany Apple preserve her second straight playoff shutout.

#7 San Diego Mesa 1 #6 Santiago Canyon 1 Mesa wins in Pk's 5-4
On a beautiful afternoon on November 29th at Santiago Canyon, Mesa found a way to advance to its first final four appearance in its history. After playing through a sluggish first half, Mesa surrendered its first goal of these playoffs in the 43rd minute. Responding to the challenge, the Olympians came out in the second half with a renewed energy and earned a free kick from 40 yards out in the 55th minute. Jessica Hernandez sent a curling free kick that dropped in just under the cross bar to knot the game at 1-1. Defensively Tiffany Apple was fantastic in goal again. She had 11 saves during the game and 2 OT's. Apple then turned in another outstanding performance during the PK's, saving two shots as the teams went to a dramatic 7 kickers. Apple saved the seventh kick on a diving sprawl to her left and then captain Samantha Mellinger calmly deposited the seventh kick for Mesa to send them to their First Final Four.

State Final Four
#1 Santa Rosa vs. #7 San Diego Mesa College Friday Dec. 5th at 4 PM
#1 Cerritos vs. #3 Modesto Friday Dec. 5th at 7 PM
Winners meet for the State Championship Sunday, Dec. 7th at 2 PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Todd Curran
Head Coach, Women's Soccer
San Diego Mesa College
619-388-2430

November 26, 2008 Contact: John Nunes
619-388-6557
jnunes@sdccd.edu

City & Mesa Colleges Succeeding
In "Breaking the Chain of Failure"

San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College have achieved above average transfer rates for underrepresented students from low-performing high schools, according to the UCLA Civil Rights Project.
The UCLA study indicates that City College transfers high numbers of African-American students to colleges and universities, while Mesa College does similarly for Latino students.
"We congratulate City College and Mesa College in San Diego on this achievement," UCLA project director Patricia Gandara stated.
Because of the success of both San Diego Community College District colleges,
City and Mesa administrators have been asked to participate in the second phase of UCLA research, which is expected to take place in December and January.
Only three other California community colleges have been selected for the second phase of the statewide study. The research is being conducted to foster a better understanding of factors and policies that enhance the odds of transfer for underrepresented students with generally low transfer rates, the UCLA researcher reported. The study is entitled, "Breaking the Chain of Failure: Moving from Weak High Schools to Strong Community Colleges for Students of Color."
Mesa College President Rita Cepeda stated, “The fact that the UCLA Civil Rights Project has identified Mesa College as one of five community colleges in California with a sustained record of success is quite a reaffirmation. We look forward to working with the team of UCLA researchers so that they may identify those promising practices and programs currently in place at our college that contribute to this level of success. I am sure that this work will help in our efforts to continue to improve the way in which we serve our students and community.”
City College President Terrence Burgess said, "I am extremely gratified that our concerted efforts to recruit and retain the most at-risk college students are paying dividends. San Diego City College is committed to the success of each and every student. We all keep students first in our day-to-day work."
The mission of the UCLA Civil Rights Project is "to help renew the civil rights movement by bridging the worlds of ideas and action, to be a preeminent source of intellectual capital within that movement, and to deepen the understanding of the issues that must be resolved to achieve racial and ethnic equity as society moves through the great transformation of the 21st century," the project's website states.
In 2007-08, nine percent of the City College students that transferred were African Americans, SDCCD reported. This percentage equates to 447 students. Five years ago, only 235 African Americans transferred.
At Mesa College, 14 percent of the 2007-08 students that transferred were Latino, according to SDCCD. This percentage represents 978 Latino students, which is 208 more than five years ago. City transferred 28 percent of the Latinos enrolled, which totals 1,343. This is an increase of 151 percent from five years ago.
Transfer rate figures were not available.



John Nunes
Asst. Director
Public Information & Govt. Relations
San Diego Community College District
619.388.6557

“Here, Here!” for International Rivalry
Brits Cross the Pond Take On Mesa College International Debate Team Champs

In March, the Mesa College 2008 Olympian Speech and Debate Team returned from London, England, as world class champs. After beating out teams from 35 colleges and universities in the International Forensics Association (IFA) tournament during Spring break, the Mesa College Olympians returned with a string of honors, including the title of international debate champions. Next week, the Brits are in town, and they want a face off. Always up for a match with a friendly rival, the Mesa College Olympians have accepted the challenge.

So on Thursday, November 20, it's the Brits versus the Olympians as the university and college teams face off in parliamentary, or academic, debate. In such a match, two-person teams debate against each other using a topic called a resolution. One team, the Government, supports the resolution; and the other team, known as the Opposition, argues against the Government. It's not uncommon for it to be a rowdy affair, and audience participation is mandatory. If the debaters say something you like, you can knock or yell out "Here, Here!" in approval. And, if the debaters say something you don't like, you can hiss, jeer or yell out, "Shame!" at them. Hey, who said academics can't be fun!

Representing the British are Derek Doyle, 24 of Kerry, Ireland (which he explains is “sort of like being British but more charming and unburdened by post-colonial guilt”), and Ed James, 20. Both attend Edinburgh University. On the Mesa side are Mauro Lara, team captain of the Mesa debate team, and Jessica Hastings, who joined the Mesa team in 2007.

Both sets of teams competed in England, but not against each other. In addition to the top honors, the Mesa College team members took first, third, and sixth places in debate, and secured a second place sweepstakes certificate in the community college division, and a sixth place overall sweepstake award. Lara and Haskins are the Mesa College students that brought home the gold.

In town for the National Communication Association (NCA) convention on November 21 to 24, (and of which Mesa College is co-hosting through the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association), the British students were aiming for a bout, and Lara and Haskins were only too happy to accommodate the international rivals.

The public is invited to attend the match, slated for Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

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The Brits vs. the Olympians International Debate
San Diego Mesa College
Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m., Room H117/118

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lina Heil, Information Officer, 619-388-2759, lheil@sdccd.edu
Kim Gerhardt, 619-388-5721, kgerhard@sdccd.edu

GIS Day at Mesa Helps Students Discover the World – and Future Careers

Event to be held November 19 during National Geography Awareness Week
High school students from Hoover High and Kearny High's Science, Connections and Technology High School High School will join community college students for an introduction to GIS -- one of today's hottest new technologies changing the way we live -- when Mesa College hosts GIS Day. The event is part of National Geographic Society's Geography Awareness Week -- an international forum for users of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society. GIS Day at Mesa College will be held in Room K-303 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, November 19.

The demand for GIS technicians is explosive. US News and World Report redlists GIS as "One of the twenty Top Hot Job Tracks for the next decade." Participants will learn about career opportunities and introduced to the Mesa College GIS certificate and degree programs, plus participate in ArcGIS and GPS/Google Earth hands-on activities. Three separate sessions are offered at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend at no charge.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are at the cutting edge of today's technology and a necessary skill in the 21st Century. Involving more than making maps on a computer, GIS is an information system that has the potential to create new knowledge about our world. GIS has been popularized in TV newscasts and films such as Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), and is most commonly viewed on websites such as Google maps and MapQuest.
For young students, it's also one of the most rewarding career choices to make. Mesa College offers both certificate and associate degree programs in GIS, developed in close collaboration with San Diego State University. The Mesa College GIS program is unique because it is the only program in San Diego County specifically designed to prepare students to enter the workforce as a GIS technician.


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GIS Day at Mesa College
When/Where: San Diego Mesa College, Room K 303
Three sessions will take place on Wednesday, November 19, beginning at 9, 10 and 11 a.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lina Heil, Information Officer, 619-388-2759, lheil@sdccd.edu
Professor Kim Mathis, kmathis@sdccd.edu.

Activist Sal Castro to Address Mesa College Students
on Wednesday, November 5th

San Diego, Calif. -- Activist and educator Sal Castro, a principal organizer and supporter of the 1968 East Los Angeles Walkouts, will address San Diego Mesa College students on Wednesday, November 5, at 9:30 a.m. in Room G-101. The event is free and open to the public.

Castro will address today's problems in contemporary education and its impact on Latino/Chicano students. He will also show film clips of the walkouts, discuss the conditions in the East Los Angeles High Schools that culminated in the decision to boycott the schools, and answer questions from the audience.
The series of protests in East Los Angeles, known commonly as the 1968 Chicano Blowouts, roiled Southern California in opposition to unequal conditions in Los Angeles-area schools. What began with dissatisfaction in education became a conflagration of issues whipped together in a turbulent time. More than 20,000 students boycotted school for a week in March 1968 in what is considered to be among the events that helped open the doors of higher education for people of color.

Then a local teacher, Castro was among 13 organizers arrested for their roles in the walkouts, although conspiracy charges were dropped. Now retired, Castro continues to lecture about his experiences and the importance of education, especially for Mexican Americans.
In 2006, HBO released the film “Walkout,” which tells the story of Castro and the 1968 East Los Angeles walkouts that protested lack of educational opportunities for Mexican-American students.

The lecture is a presentation of the Chicano/Chicana Studies Department and the San Diego Mesa College Humanities Institute.
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For more information, contact Lina Heil
lheil@sdccd.edu or call 619-388-2759


Lina Heil
Information Officer
San Diego Mesa College
PH: 619.388.2759
FAX: 619.388.2969

7250 Mesa College Drive
San Diego CA 92111-4998
lheil@sdccd.edu
www.sdmesa.edu

Colleges and Universities Committed to Diversity Recognized by Minority Access, Inc.

San Diego Mesa College Honored at National Role Models Conference


Minority Access, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization of national prominence, honored prestigious colleges and universities at its Ninth National Role Models Conference in Arlington, Virginia, September 26-29, 2008. As a deliverable of its agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Minority Access identifies, honors and publicizes institutions committed to graduating minority biomedical researchers as Role Model Institutions. Three years ago, Minority Access expanded its recognition of institutions to include colleges and universities committed to diversity. The National Role Models Conference serves as the venue in which Minority Access honors and publicizes institutions and individuals worthy of emulation.

Among the institutions recognized at the Ninth National Role Models Conference were colleges and universities committed to diversity in 2008. On Saturday, September 27 at an elegant dinner moderated by Dr. Kay Clayton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas Woman's College, thirty-nine diverse colleges and universities were recognized for their commitment to diversity. Dr. Rita Cepeda, President of San Diego Mesa College; Dr. John Matlock, Associate Vice Provost and Director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives at the University of Michigan; and Dr. Max Stewart, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Vice Provost at The Ohio State University, delivered presentations highlighting the success of diversity on their respective campus. Following their presentations, Andrea D. Mickle, President of Minority Access, Inc., presented individually special framed citations to representatives of the institutions. In addition, a copy of the 147-page publication by Minority Access describing diversity plans of the institutions was distributed to each guest.

“It is fitting for Minority Access to recognize and publicize the advances colleges and universities are making toward diversifying their campuses, especially their student population. Since our incorporation in 1995, Minority Access' mission has been to assist colleges and universities, Federal agencies and corporations to diversify their campuses and worksites,” stated Andrea Mickle. “Furthermore, she stated, we are pleased that our research on data supplied by the Office of Educational Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education has resulted in Minority Access' recognizing colleges and universities that genuinely seem to appreciate the value of diversity in creating a well-rounded educational experience.”

Colleges and universities cited by Minority Access for their commitment to diversity in 2008 gave approval to be recognized after being notified of their nomination.

Minority Access is located in Hyattsville, Maryland, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Additional information on Minority Access is available at www.minorityaccess.org.

Contact:Minority Access, Inc.
October 2, 2008(301) 779-7100

Mesa College Celebrates Constitution Week
Constitution Day is recognized September 17

Most Americans recognize that the 4th day of July marks our nation's birthday. Only a few are aware that September 17th is the birthday of our government. On that date in 1787, 39 of the 55 original delegates to the Philadelphia Convention completed and signed the U.S. Constitution.

In celebration of the signing of the Constitution and to increase awareness of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, San Diego Mesa College will recognize Constitution Day, September 17, and Constitution Week, September 15 to 19, with a series of lectures and student interpretations of presidential speeches by the internationally acclaimed Olympian Speech and Debate Team.

Events kick off on Monday, September 15, when San Diego author and pundit Richard Lederer hosts a lively discussion on facts, foibles and fun, fascinating insights into the lives and histories of the 42 men who have held the office of President of the United States. The presentation is based on Lederer's most recent book, Presidential Trivia: The Feats, Fates, Families, Foibles, and Firsts of Our American Presidents. It will be held Monday, September 15 in Room G-101 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students take center stage on Constitution Day, Wednesday, September 17, when the internationally acclaimed Mesa College Olympian Speech and Debate Team present “Great Moments in Presidential Speeches.” These oral interpretations of some of the greatest speeches in presidential history will be presented from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in H-117/118.

On Friday, September 19, Mark Vezzola, a lecturer in History at Mesa College will present his paper, “The Power of Words: How the Constitution Eroded Native American Sovereignty.” The lecture will be presented from noon to 2 p.m. in Room 435 of the Learning Resource Center.

Events are free and open to the public. For more information please see www.sdmesa.edu.



To view the language of the entire U.S. Constitution, visit:
The U.S. Constitution Online

San Diego Mesa College President Rita Cepeda
to Address Hechinger Institute Fellows
“Covering America, Covering Community College” Fellowship Conference
Aims to Support In-Depth Media Coverage of Education Issues
Related to Community Colleges

(San Diego, Calif.) -- Dr. Rita M. Cepeda, President of San Diego Mesa College, is among a group of experts that will address 15 journalists and Fellows selected to attend the Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media's "Covering America, Covering Community Colleges' Fellowship Conference. The conference, held September 14 to 17 at Columbia University in New York City, is presented by the Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media.
The "Covering America, Covering Community Colleges' Fellowship promotes quality in-depth media coverage of education issues related to community colleges. Fifteen journalists are selected each year to travel to the Teachers College campus. During the residency they study these important institutions that struggle with high expectations in their communities and states, and yet receive little media attention.
This year's group of journalists was selected from a competitive field of more than 40 applicants. Six will receive a $7,500 stipend each to complete a major reporting project on community colleges; nine Associates are also named. All 15 will attend the conference in New York City, where they will meet with experts, discuss their projects with other journalists, conduct research and visit local colleges.
Dr. Cepeda will participate in a panel of community college presidents and lead discussion on workforce issues. She will also work directly with three Fellows who are doing major projects looking at immigration issues, and another specializing in workforce issues.
The six Fellows and their projects are:
•Kathleen Carroll, The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record, "Workforce development and New Jersey's community colleges."
•Robert Chaney, The (Missoula, Mont.) Missoulian, "Tribal community colleges in Montana."
•Aaron Glantz, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee, "Role of community colleges in transitioning Iraq veterans."
•Lygia Navarro, Latino USA,' National Public Radio, "Divisions over open-door policies for undocumented immigrants at community colleges."
•Tom Marshall, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, "The role of community colleges in serving the educational needs of refugees and asylum-seekers."
•Encarnacion Pyle, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, "Growth and expansion of Ohio community colleges."
Nine additional journalists selected as Associate Fellows proposed projects ranging from a training program for Inupiaqs in Alaska to a series of editorials about community colleges and workforce preparation, technical education and teacher quality.
The nine Associate Fellows are LaRaye Brown, The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; Camille Esch, Washington Monthly magazine; Larry Gordon, Los Angeles Times; Laura McCandlish, The (Baltimore) Sun; Colby Sledge, The (Nashville) Tennessean; Amy Dalrymple, The (Fargo N.D.) Forum; Catalina Garcia, Univision 14 in San Francisco; Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, Alaska Public Radio Network; and Amy Rolph, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
The Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media, named for former New York Times education editor Fred Hechinger, is part of Teachers College, Columbia University. Its mission is to promote fair, accurate and insightful coverage of education. For more information, please see:
Dr. Rita M. Cepeda has served since July 2005 as president of San Diego Mesa College, and is its first Latina president. She began her career in the community colleges in 1980 and has served as a college president for the past ten years. A naturalized citizen, Dr. Cepeda came to the United States when she was 11, learning English as a second language. A product of the California public school system, Dr. Cepeda earned a bachelor's degree in communications disorders and a master's degree in clinical psychology from California State University Long Beach. Dr. Cepeda went on to earn a doctorate of education from the University of Southern California. Her professional affiliations include: Board Member, California Basic Skills Initiative, and the Community College Advisory Committee on Legislation, the Intersegmental Coordinating Council and the Latina Leadership Network of the California Community Colleges. President Cepeda sits on numerous community boards and committees, including San Diego United Way, the San Diego Dropout Task Force, the San Diego Youth Services Council, San Diego Workforce Partnership and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Regional Economic Prosperity Strategy Committee.

SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASPIRING JAZZ MUSICIANS
San Diego Mesa College is now accepting applications for seven $1,000 scholarships which will be awarded to incoming students who plan to study jazz music at the Mesa College campus this fall.
The seven merit-based scholarships are offered to incoming students at Mesa College who desire to continue playing jazz with the Mesa College Jazz Band. The scholarships are the E. F. K. Music Scholarships (three $1000 scholarships); the Gustavo Romero Music Scholarships (three $1000 scholarships), and the Shellist Memorial Music Scholarship (three $1000 scholarship).
Students who are new to the Mesa College Jazz Band and plan to be enrolled full time at Mesa College are invited to apply. Auditions will be held Friday, August 7, and you must be preregistered to audition. An online application and complete eligibility requirements can be found at www.sdmesd.edu/music, or by calling 619-388-2809.
Mesa College offers one of the most the most comprehensive music theory programs in San Diego County. The music program offers both an associate degree and certificates of completion, and is designed for students with interests in continued study and in a wide range of careers in academic, vocational and commercial music. The department is chaired by jazz performer and saxophonist James J. Romeo, and its faculty includes world-class performing musicians such as jazz artists Bob Magnusson and Jaime Vale, classical guitarists George Svoboda and Randy Pile, and pianist/vocalist Jaeryoung Lee. More information is available at www.sdmesa.edu/music.

San Diego Mesa College Recognizes Radiologic Technology Graduates
During August 7th Pinning Ceremony

San Diego, Calif. -- Thirty-seven graduates of the San Diego Mesa College Radiologic Technology program will participate in a special pinning ceremony at 7 p.m., Thursday, August 7, 2008 at the Scripps Mercy Hospital Auditorium. The ceremony is held each August following the students' final clinical practice commitments and marks the completion of the intensive, 24-month program.

Graduates will be recognized by college administrators and clinical instructors who have supervised their clinical practice requirements of the program. Thirteen healthcare centers in the region partner with Mesa College in providing the clinical practice to students.

Many students will move directly into employment in their clinical practice settings following program completion. In fact, students enrolled in the program are not your typical community college student. Most are mid-career and enter the program having already earned a bachelor's agree.

One graduate is Jennie Rieche, 26, who signed up for the Radiologic Technology program at Mesa after graduating from San Diego State University. She graduates with honors and has earned both an associate degree and certificate of completion. Even after logging 2025 hours of clinical practice at Scripps Mercy Hospital, Jennie says “I have grown such a passion for my work and still get that adrenaline rush!”

“These students have worked long and hard to achieve their goal. The public can be assured that graduates from the San Diego Mesa College Radiologic Technology Program are the best,” said Lori Covington, Radiologic Technology Program Director.

The Mesa College Radiologic Technology Certificate Program prepares students for entry into a high-demand career with opportunities in every health care setting. The two-year program features an integrated plan of classroom work and closely supervised clinical practicum at a partnering healthcare facility. Partners include Rady Children's Hospital San Diego; Sharp Grossmont Hospital; Kaiser Permanente Medical Center; Scripps Mercy Hospital; Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center; Sharp Memorial Hospital; Sharp Rees-Stealy, Mira Mesa; Tri-City Medical Center; VA San Diego Medical Center; UCSD Medical Center; UCSD Thornton Hospital; and UCSD Women's Center.

Upon completion of the program, students receive an Associate of Science Degree or Certificate in Radiologic Technology and qualify to take the ARRT National Registry Exam. Mesa College is the only community college in the region to offer an associate degree and certificate in this allied health field. The Mesa College program is certified by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

If you are interested in the Radiologic Technology diploma program or any of the diploma programs offered at Mesa College, call 619-388-2682 or login to www.sdmesa.edu. Fall classes begin August 25/

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“This program is a great entry level into the world of diagnostic imaging and most radiologic technologists continue their education by cross training into another modality or bridging their diploma to attain their bachelor's degree in Radiologic Sciences. Radiologic Technology is a definite hands-on profession.

STUDENT SUCCESS DAY OFFERS HEAD START ON COLLEGE LIFE
MESA COLLEGE ORIENTATION FREE
TO INCOMING STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

San Diego, Calif. – Research shows that students who attend orientation programs are more likely to stay in college, more likely to be satisfied with their college experiences, more likely to get better grades and more likely to graduate. San Diego Mesa College is helping students and families get a head start on college life with its popular, free orientation session, dubbed Student Success Day.

Open to interested students and their families, the one-half day orientation is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the college's Kearny Mesa campus. Fall classes begin August 25.

Launched in 2006, the Mesa College Student Success Day is intended to acquaint all new students with academic programs and student support services available to students, including: financial aid, disability support services, counseling, clubs and organizations, transfer options and other programs.

The day's program includes sessions for parents and families, workshops for students, registration and financial aid information, an information fair, introduction to student life, a free barbeque and drawings for prizes, including a semester's worth of books. Students who have not yet enrolled for classes can do so on-site, and also obtain immediate approval for the Board of Governor's Fee Waiver. Student Success Day is open to all students new to Mesa College. To register, call 619-388-2896 or go online to www.sdmesa.edu/student-success.


Among the largest community colleges in California and the nation, San Diego Mesa College is a fully-accredited two-year college offering 158 associate degree and certificate program and has an enrollment of more than 22,000 students. Mesa College is the largest of three colleges in the San Diego Community College District, which also includes City College, Miramar College and San Diego Continuing Education.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES MEET TO ADDRESS STUDENT SUCCESS RATES
Representatives from 15 California Community Colleges Expected to Attend
June 9-10 Meeting at Mesa College

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (June 6, 2008) -- San Diego Mesa College is collaborating with the California Community Colleges Systems Office and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to ensure that faculty from all of the state's 109 community colleges will receive training and support to improve basic skills instruction.

On Monday, June 9 and Tuesday June 10, San Diego Mesa College will host community college representatives from Southern California for a two-day meeting to increase success rates among academically under-prepared students who are enrolled in courses offered by the community colleges. San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance M. Carroll and Mesa College President Rita M. Cepeda will address the attendees. President Cepeda is a member of the statewide Basic Skills Initiative Steering Committee.

Basic skills are defined as those foundation skills in reading, writing and mathematics, and learning skills, study skills, and English as a Second Language which are necessary for students to succeed in college level work.

Faculty from 15 Southern California campuses will be present to learn strategies that can be applied to their respective college, classroom or service area that can help all students be more successful. This interactive session will include faculty input and planning with regards to future basic skills initiative projects at their institution.

In addition to representatives from Mesa, City and Miramar colleges and Continuing Education, campuses in attendance are Cuyamaca College, Grossmont College, Imperial Valley College, Irvine Valley College, Miracosta College, Palo Verde College, Palomar College, Saddleback College, Santa Ana College, Santiago Canyon College, and Southwestern College.

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Basic Skills Initiative: Foundation for Success Regional Meeting
When/Where: San Diego Mesa College, Room G-101 (Humanities Building)
Monday, June 9 and Tuesday June 10; 9:30 a.m. Opening Remarks

Contact: Lina Heil 619-388-2759; lheil@sdccd.edu

MESA COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND ON NEW ALLIED HEALTH BUILDING
May 21, 2008 (San Diego, Calif.) – San Diego Mesa College broke ground this week on its new Allied Health Building. The $20 million, three-story, 49,000-square-foot instructional facility will house five degree and certificate programs in the following health care fields: Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Physical Therapist Assistant and Radiologic Technology.
Located at the east entrance of Mesa College, the new health facility will be a cornerstone of the college, which is located in Kearny Mesa. The project is funded by Proposition S Construction Bond, which was approved by San Diego voters in 2002. It is the second instructional building to be built using Prop S funds. The Humanities, Languages and Multicultural Studies Building (which opened in January, 2003) and the Parking Structure and Police Substation, currently under construction, are also funded by Prop S funds. Expected completion date is August 2008.
The four-year collaborative design process involved faculty, architects, health care professionals and regional experts in health care facility design and incorporates state-of-the-art “smart” classroom technology and ergonomically sound classroom and laboratory design. The three-story structure will include a computer lab, classrooms, and clinical dental, physical therapy and medical laboratories, plus faculty and staff offices. In addition to serving approximately 250 students annually, the facility will be used to provide vocational training and continuing education units (CEUs) for healthcare professionals throughout the region.
In her remarks, Mesa College President Rita M. Cepeda said that the building will “train much needed professionals in high demand health occupations and support the ability of local health providers to provide high quality caring professionals.”
An important objective for all construction projects taken by the San Diego Community College District is to meet the highest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) possible. The Allied Health Building has achieved LEED Silver Certification and there is a real possibility that it may achieve Gold Certification.
The project carries forwards sustainable design features begun with the Parking Structure and Police Substation including low-water use landscape, recycled materials content, high-efficiency energy systems, Energy-Star roof systems, and construction waste recycling. The building's power requirements will also be offset in part by energy provided by solar panels which will be placed on the roof of the parking structure.
Project architect is Architect | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker. Contractor is McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., one of the nation's leading higher education builders.
Among the largest community colleges in California and the nation, San Diego Mesa College is a fully accredited, two-year college offering 160 Associate Degree and certificate programs. The college's excellent academic and career preparation programs cover a wide range of disciplines, making Mesa an important economic development catalyst and the number-one transfer institution in San Diego. Mesa's premier programs include six programs in allied health fields, fashion design, architecture, multimedia, hospitality and event management, animal health technology, American Sign Language, and interior design. Mesa College is the largest of three colleges in the San Diego Community College District, which also includes City College, Miramar College and San Diego Continuing Education.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the nation's 10th largest domestic general contractor (Engineering News-Record, May 2007) and among the top 10 education builders (Engineering News-Record, October 2006). The firm has been building in the education market for the last 50 years. Committed to the construction of high performance buildings, the company has managed construction or built more than 400 K-12 school projects nationwide, totaling more than $2 billion in construction value, and more than 200 higher education projects on more than 40 campuses. In addition to San Diego, McCarthy has offices in Newport Beach, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; St. Louis; Dallas and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lina Heil, 619-388-2759; lheil@sdccd.edu

Mesa College Celebrates 44th Commencement
Class of 1,453 Includes 12 Valedictorians

SAN DIEGO – San Diego Mesa College will hold its 44th commencement exercises at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, University of San Diego on Sunday, May 18. The 2008 Mesa College class of 1,453 is the largest 2008 graduating class in the San Diego Community College District, which also includes City College, Miramar College and Continuing Education.

With this commencement, Mesa College has awarded a total of 43,858 certificates and degrees. The Mesa graduating class will receive diplomas from 64 academic programs offered by the two-year community college. The most popular degrees are Animal Health Technology, Business Administration, Interior Design, Psychology, Radiologic Technology and Transfer Studies, which enables graduates to transfer to the University of California or to the California State University having met lower-division general education requirements.

The Mesa College 2008 graduating class is comprised of 1,389 students who will receive academic degrees: 752 Associate in Arts degrees and 325 Associate in Science degrees. Of this group, 448 or 42 percent are men, and 629 or 58 percent are women. Of the 312 who will receive certificates of achievement, 93 or 30 percent are men, and 219 or 70 percent are women.

Forty students will graduate with two or more degrees and 33 students with honors. The Class of 2008 includes twelve valedictorians, who achieved the rare and perfect grade point average of 4.0. Eleven of the valedictorians will graduate with degrees in Transfer Studies; one valedictorian will receive an Associate in Science in Multimedia studies.

More than 337 graduates ranging in age from 18 to 68 are expected to participate in the commencement activities. The oldest 2008 Mesa College graduate is Allen Victor Wooldridge, 68 of Linda Vista; the youngest, Hafsa Mohamed, 18, of City Heights.
Commencement will be a family affair for brothers Krit Sritong and Kan Sritong; and several sets of sisters: Michelle Leigh Taylog and Marlene Sanfliippo; and Brenda Garcia and Minerva Garcia.
Another set of sisters, Nasra Nimaga and Bahawa Nimaga, received special recognition at Mesa College Scholarship banquet last week. Originally from Kenya, both sisters are honors students and members of Phi Theta Kappa. Bahawa has served as Vice President for Mesa's Associated Students Government and is the recipient of the 2008 President's Scholarship. Nasra is a tutor, class valedictorian and graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. A student of the Mesa College International Studies program, Nasra was recipient of the prestigious 2008 Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. The scholarship is worth up to $60,000 (depending on the program and expenses) and is the largest scholarship in the country available to community college students.

Nasra Nimaga is one of 25 students to graduate from the Mesa International Student Program. Representing 14 nations from across the globe, these students choose Mesa College as their campus of choice for an education abroad in the United States. Of the 25 graduating international students, four have the distinction of being named valedictorians with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Commencement speaker is Dr. Gerardo E. de los Santos, President and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international organization dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement. De los Santo is a recognized scholar in the field of community college education, and a community college graduate. Student speaker Philippe Louis-Jean.
Summer session at Mesa College begins in June, with 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-week sessions beginning June 2, 17, 23 and July 7. For more information, call 619-388-2682 or log on to www.sdmesa.edu.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lina Heil, 619-388-2759; lheil@sdccd.edu
Jodi Corliss 619-388-2801; jcorliss@sdccd.edu

McCARTHY BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF ALLIED HEALTH BUILDING AND PHASE III ROAD REALIGNMENT AT MESA COLLEGE IN SAN DIEGO

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com), one of the nation's leading higher education builders, has construction underway for the new 49,000-square-foot Allied Health building at San Diego Mesa College, located at 7250 Mesa College Dr., in the Clairemont area of San Diego, Calif.
McCarthy is providing full construction services for the $20 million project for the San Diego Community College District. The project is funded by Proposition S Construction Bond, which was approved by San Diego voters in 2002. It is the first teaching facility to be built at Mesa College, one of the largest community colleges in California and the nation, since the college opened in 1964.
San Diego-based Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker is the project architect. Construction manager Richard Burkhart is providing oversight on behalf of the San Diego Community College District.
The three-story Allied Health building will include a computer lab, classrooms, a clinical dental lab, physical therapy lab, medical lab, plus faculty and staff offices. Situated at the College's main campus entry off Mesa College Drive, the building will serve as a prominent landmark for the college. A groundbreaking ceremony will be conducted on Wednesday, May 21. Completion is slated for August 2009.
Because the building site is significantly compact, a three-story building layout was necessary to accommodate all of the uses required by the faculty, staff and students. This made it paramount in the exterior design to reduce the vertical emphasis of the tall building by incorporating multiple horizontal design elements such as a continuous ribbon window curtain wall system with integral horizontal window eyebrows that also play a significant role in shading the glass and reducing the amount of internal solar gain inside the building.
Another important design element is the introduction of stone cladding on the more powerful vertical elements such as stairs and entry areas. This will be the first building on the campus to use stone elements on the exterior.

- more -
ADD 1 – McCARTHY HAS CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY FOR ALLIED HEALTH…


Part of the project scope involves extensive realignment of an existing roadway, which posed the challenge of deciphering how to perform the majority of the work without interrupting the access/egress requirements of the campus. The McCarthy project team worked with the District to save several months on the District's original schedule and sequencing plan. Collectively they came up with a shorter phasing plan that will significantly reduce the campus disruption and ultimately save the District a considerable amount of money.
Paul Schroeder AIA is serving as principal-in-charge for Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker, with Doug Paterson, AIA, as project architect and Kerry Ringle, Associate AIA, Alison Morita, Associate AIA, and Javier Nava serving as the technical staff.
The project team consultants include Hope Engineering for structural engineering, RBF Consulting for civil engineering and TKG Consulting Engineers, Inc. for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering. Wimmer Yamada & Caughey is the project team's landscape architect, and Churchill Engineering, Inc. is the code consultant. URS Corp is serving as the construction manager for the owner.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the nation's 10th largest domestic general contractor (Engineering News-Record, May 2007) and among the top 10 education builders (Engineering News-Record, October 2006). The firm has been building in the education market for the last 50 years. Committed to the construction of high performance buildings, the company has managed construction or built more than 400 K-12 school projects nationwide, totaling more than $2 billion in construction value, and more than 200 higher education projects on more than 40 campuses. In addition to San Diego, McCarthy has offices in Newport Beach, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; St. Louis; Dallas and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.
Among the largest community colleges in California and the nation, San Diego Mesa College is a fully-accredited two-year college offering 160 Associate degree and certificate programs. Recognized in 2007 as one of the top 100 producers of associate degrees in the nation, Mesa ranks as San Diego's top transfer institution. The college also serves as an important economic catalyst for the region. Its career programs and industry alliances offer graduates almost immediate job placement in the fields of allied health, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, business technology, consumer studies, and more. Other top specialized career programs include fashion, architecture, multimedia, animal health technology, American Sign Language, interior design, and hospitality and event management. Mesa College is the largest of three colleges in the San Diego Community College Districts, which includes San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College and San Diego Continuing Education. More information is available online at www.sdmesa.edu.

CONTACT: Bonnie Kutch or Tara Sharp, (619) 299-1010, info@kutchco.com

Mesa College last stop in San Diego for Artic explorer
Robert Swan to speak on “Voyage for Cleaner Energy” Expedition

Robert Swan, polar explorer, environmental leader and the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles, makes a stop at San Diego Mesa College to talk to students about environmental awareness on Tuesday, May 6.
The Mesa College Environmental Stewardship Committee is hosting the popular scientist and lecture as part of the spring Biology Lecture Series.
After experiencing global warming firsthand, Swan has dedicated his life to increasing public awareness and promoting environmental preservation. The stop at Mesa College is the final of three stops in San Diego for Swan, who was in town to his launch his Voyage for Cleaner Energy. The five-year worldwide lecture series and sailing expedition that includes stops in the U.S., Europe and Asia was launched this month on the west coast of American and will finish in Asia at the 2012 World Summit for Sustainable Development.
Mesa College student Nathan Nowak will join the crew for part of his journey.

Canyon Day at Mesa College Set for May 3
Campus and community come together to celebrate, educate
and preserve Tecolote Canyon

Canyon Clean-up Set for April 12

SAN DIEGO, CA (April 10, 2008) – San Diego Mesa College launches its first Canyon Day -- an annual event when students, faculty, and staff join members of the community to celebrate, educate, help protect and preserve Tecolote Canyon -- on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, family friendly event focuses on outreach, education and awareness around the issues of conservation of the environment and preservation of the Tecolote Canyon. Canyon Day is preceded by Canyon Clean-up, which will be held Saturday, April 12 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Canyon Clean-Up Will Ready the Canyon for Nature Walks
Led by Ranger Janice Lavallee of Tecolote Canyon Natural Park, this effort of students, faculty and community residents will clean up and ready the Tecolote Canyon trail in preparation for canyon walks that will be conducted during Canyon Day on May 3. Anyone interested in participating in this hands-on effort to remove invasive species and restore the Tecolote Canyon habitat to its natural state is invited to meet at the Tecolote Canyon entrance located at the intersection of Genesee Avenue and Marlesta Drive at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 12.
Canyon cleanup activities will include trash and invasive species removal. Tools and supplies will be provided; please wear long pants and close-toed shoes.
Free Information Fair, Festivities and Fun Family Activities Set for Canyon Day…
On May 3, Canyon Day will open with a traditional Native American blessing by Jane Dumas, a respect tribal elder of the Jamul Band of Kumeyaay Indians. Welcome remarks will be made by Councilmember Donna Frye and Mesa College President Rita M. Cepeda.
Following, participants can choose from a host of activities and workshops, including vendor and information booths. Hands-on activities for children coordinated by the MET High School students include arts and crafts with recycled materials, and opportunities to create bird feeders with natural materials and paint a peace mural. Separate canyon walks for children and adults will led by trained volunteers.
The idea of Canyon Day evolved in January, 2007, when the San Diego City Council considered a request to construct the Mesa College parking structure and police substation at the head of a branch of Tecolote Canyon. Under the leadership of Councilmember Donna Frye, the City Council and the San Diego Community College District agreed that Mesa College would sponsor an annual community educational experience.
San Deigo Mesa College wholeheartedly embraced the recommendation as an extension of its efforts to use the canyon as textbook. Bordered on the south and west sides by Tecolote Canyon, Mesa College has always been committed to Tecolote Canyon and its preservation. Geology Professor Don Barrie, Biology Professor Leslie Seiger and other faculty members have for years used the canyon as a living textbook to enhance classroom learning.
"Canyon Day and the canyon clean up preceding it represent the best example of synergy of an idea whose time has come," said Mesa College President Rita M. Cepeda. "This is an opportunity for us all to 'think green' and demonstrate how to respect nature and the environment. On Canyon Day, we will take our involvement even further by engaging our surrounding community, parents and their children with our own students faculty and staff in an effort to learn about the Canyon, enjoy its natural beauty, and most important of all, become active in preserving it for the future."
More information on Canyon Day is available at www.sdmesa.edu/canyonday. Interested community groups and businesses should call 619-388-2699.
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CANYON DAY COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
Bayside Community Center
Boys and Girls Club, Clairemont and Linda Vista
Center for Community Service Learning, USD
Clairemont Mesa Planning Committee
Clairemont Town Council
Councilmember Donna Frye
Indian Education Community Liaison
Kearny Mesa Recreation Council
Linda Vista Civic Association
Linda Vista Recreation Council
San Diego Center for Children
San Diego Community College District
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College Enviro Club
San Diego River Park Foundation/River Days
Tecolote Canyon Citizens Advisory Committee (TCCAC)
Tecolote Nature Center

San Diego Unified School District:
Kroc Middle School
The MET School
Montgomery Middle School
Pacific Beach Middle School
Taft Middle School

About Mesa College:
Among the largest community colleges in California and the nation, San Diego Mesa College is a fully accredited two-year college offering 160 Associate degree and certificate programs. Recognized in 2007 as one of the top 100 producers of associate degrees in the nation, Mesa ranks as San Diego's top transfer institution. The college also serves as an important economic catalyst for the region. Its career programs and industry alliances offer graduates almost immediate job placement in the fields of allied health, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, business technology, consumer studies, and more. Other top specialized career programs include fashion, architecture, multimedia, animal health technology, American Sign Language, interior design, and hospitality and event management. Situated on a sprawling, suburban 104-acre campus in Kearny Mesa, the college's small classes, outstanding faculty, and reputation for quality offer an unparalleled academic experience.

Lina Heil
Information Officer
San Diego Mesa College
PH: 619.388.2759
FAX: 619.388.2969

The San Diego Mesa College Glass Gallery Presents:

PUPPETRY AND PERFORMANCE IN AFRICA
San Diego Mesa College Glass Gallery presents unique African art exhibition
featuring puppets, masks and masquerades.




The San Diego Mesa College Glass Gallery is proud to present a unique African art exhibition that features unusual puppets, as well as masks and masquerades. The exhibition will be on display in the Library Atrium of the Mesa College Learning Resource Center from Friday April 4 to November 30, 2008. The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Friday, April 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The reception will feature an African Masquerade Performance, a Silent Auction, refreshments, a video presentation and an illustrated discussion led by the Mesa College Professor and Exhibit Curator Barbara W. Blackmun.

The exhibit and video display demonstrate varieties of African creativity, according to curator Barbara Blackmun. The mouths of Ogoni talking heads open and close as they speak, large constructions of comic animals are animated by hidden performers, and fantastic creatures float across dark lagoons. During civic street parades in Bamako, brightly-costumed puppets interact in skits and wave to the public from decorated floats, accompanied by singing crowds of young adults.


On a smaller scale, silent figures point their fingers during private sessions of clairvoyant divination, and circles of listeners gather around storytellers who illustrate their tales with tiny puppets on strings. Larger puppets are manipulated from behind public platforms, entertaining, shocking, and amusing spectators.

In addition to the exhibition's video clips, a live masquerade featuring two traditional characters from Guinea will be danced by the Bomani Drum and Dance Group at 5:00 pm at the Opening Reception. Through a display of these varied theatrical artworks, the exhibition samples African arts that are rarely exhibited or seen in performance, outside of Africa.

San Diego Mesa College Glass Gallery exhibitions are supported entirely by the generosity of private donors, and are installed with the aid of student volunteers.

xxx

GALLERY AND EXHIBIT INFORMATION:


PUPPETRY AND PERFORMANCE IN AFRICA
April 4 – Nov 30, 2008

Opening Reception:

Friday, April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, LRC Library Atrium
Refreshments, African Masquerade Performance, Silent Auction,
Videos, Illustrated Discussion by Curator Barbara W. Blackmun

Admission and parking are free to the public
Exhibition viewing hours: Regular LRC hours
7:00 am – 10:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Friday)
8:00 am – 3:30 pm (Saturday)
Closed Sundays


PARKING IS FREE ON RECEPTION NIGHT. Due to construction on campus at the Mesa College Drive entrance, please use the Genesee-Marlesta-Chasewood entrance. On April 4, you may park anywhere in the lower lots as well as in the upper parking areas near the flagpole.

To reach the upper parking areas from the Marlesta and Chasewood entrance, turn right at the end of Chasewood, and drive uphill. After the road bends to the left, you will see faculty parking lots on both sides of the road. You may park in either one.

The wide stairway entrance behind the flagpole leads into the central campus. You will see the LRC directly in front of you, which is the largest building on the horizon. (It is to the right of the Mesa College Art Gallery entry).

During regular college hours, use the visitors' metered spaces across the street from this flagpole entrance. For additional information, call 619-388-2498 or 619-461-5930.

Lina Heil
Information Officer
San Diego Mesa College
PH: 619.388.2759
FAX: 619.388.2969

7250 Mesa College Drive

13th Annual HBCU Transfer Day
Showcases Black Colleges & Universities


On Wednesday, February 28, San Diego Mesa College will host an information fair featuring representatives from the nation's top historical black colleges and universities (HBCU). The 13th Annual HBCU Transfer Day is open to all community college students.

Students will have an opportunity to learn about attending an HBCU, learn about career opportunities from professionals, and talk to representatives from a number of historically black colleges and universities, including Virginia Union University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, Morehouse University, Dillard University, Texas Southern University and Clark Atlanta University.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with workshops and presentations, followed by the opportunity to meet one-on-one with college representatives from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The annual event of the San Diego Community College District is organized by directors of the transfer centers at City College, Mesa College and Miramar College. A number of high school students from high schools within the San Diego Community College District are also invited to attend.

For more information, go to www.sdmesa.edu or call 619-388-2472.


CONTACT:Lina Heil, Mesa College Public Information Officer
(619) 388-2759 lheil@sdccd.edu
******PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST*****