For Jeremiah Palomino, leadership is not about titles but about creating belonging. Now serving as Associated Student Government president at San Diego Mesa College and as a student trustee for the San Diego Community College District, he uses this personal philosophy and a heart for people to serve his community.

When Angel René walked across the stage at San Diego Mesa College in spring 2025, he celebrated far more than academic achievement. He celebrated the emergence of identity, resilience, and authentic self-belief. Born in Long Beach and raised between Orange County and the Inland Empire, Angel’s journey to Mesa was far from traditional. After being forced out of his home and church at age 18 for being gay, Angel endured over five years of housing instability, emotional trauma, and personal upheaval. “I tried staying in college,” he said, “but it was too difficult to balance academics with figuring out how to survive.” 

San Diego Mesa College’s third annual Thanksgiving Feast – organized by the Mesa College H.O.S.T. program and the Associated Students – will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room MC 211 A/B.

Victoria Miller, Dean of Student Affairs, said that the faculty, staff and administrators at Mesa always want “students to feel valued and appreciated,” and that the Thanksgiving Feast is just one way that they help to accomplish this goal throughout the year.

Three days of fun activities will take place as part of the International Education Week at San Diego Mesa College on Nov. 15-17.

“International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide,” said Spanish Professor Dora Schoenbrun-Fernandez. “This is also a prime opportunity for the International Education Committee at Mesa College to showcase the college’s and the Humanities Institute’s ‘global awareness’ learning outcome.”