Monterrey, CA - Today, the Association of California Community College Administrators [ACCCA], announced that Dr. Pamela Luster, President of San Diego Mesa College, was awarded the 2022 Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award. Dr. Luster was recognized based on her outstanding career and significant contributions to the mission of the California Community Colleges.

San Diego Mesa College has been named a 2021 Equity Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for awarding Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) to Black and Latinx students. Colleges are recognized due to their actions to intentionally ensure that Black and Latinx students who have a transfer goal earn an ADT. This is determined via the percentage point gap (PPG), which identifies campuses, such as Mesa College, that are excelling in awarding ADTs to Latinx and Black students, relative to their campus wide ADT conferral rates. Across all California Community Colleges, Mesa is recognized as having a high proportion of degree or transfer seeking Black and Latinx students who received an ADT in the 2019-2020 academic year. This is achievement is indicative of the equity work in which Mesa College engages daily.

San Diego Mesa College President Dr. Pamela Luster will visit Sacramento today to discuss the importance of addressing community college students’ basic needs such as food and housing insecurities and homelessness.

In celebration of Black History Month, San Diego Mesa College hosted its annual Rosa Parks Birthday Recognition Ceremony on Monday, February 4th. On what would have been her 106th birthday, a group of faculty, staff and students gathered in the Humanities and Cultural Studies Auditorium (G-102) to give respect and gratitude for Mrs. Parks’ courageous act to remain seated in the face of injustice—an act that would spark a bus boycott and a continued pursuit for justice and equality for all.

San Diego Mesa College President Pamela Luster is the new chair of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA), a collaboration between six community college districts in a two-county area.

Dear DACA Students, All Students, Colleagues, and Friends: The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) is deeply committed to the inclusion of all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, heritage, national origin, immigration status, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition, or disability. We believe that America is a great and compassionate country and that our students and employees should be fully supported in that context.

President Pamela T. Luster played a critical role in making San Diego Mesa College the first community college in the state to offer a bachelor’s degree. She works tirelessly in expanding outreach and equity efforts both on and off campus. She has guided one of California’s largest community colleges through an unprecedented transformation that has seen construction of seven new buildings, including centers for math, science, and allied health.