Second-year student Zora Williams is using her voice to bring more mental health and nutrition programming to San Diego Mesa College. Williams was elected president of the college’s Associated Students (AS) for the 2024-2025 academic year and serves as the college’s student representative on the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees.
Sometimes, you hear a story that makes you want to know more. Kevin Gonzalez has such a story. The last time this story was updated, San Diego Mesa College student Kevin Gonzalez was a 15 year-old heading off to Massachusetts to complete his high school education. In the ensuing years, he has travelled to the other side of the world, built houses, but remained in close contact with his Mesa College professors and connections he made while on campus.
The San Diego Community College District has appointed four new student trustees for the upcoming academic year. Dalia Ramirez (San Diego City College), Zora Williams (San Diego Mesa College), Hailey Hua (San Diego Miramar College), and Haydee Zuniga (San Diego College of Continuing Education), will be sworn in during the June 20 SDCCD Board of Trustees meeting.
April 14, 2025
San Diego Mesa College is proud to announce that Lucio Lira, Counselor Coordinator at the Pride Center, has been selected to receive the 2025 Dr. Emilie Mitchell Rainbow Excellence Award. This prestigious recognition, presented by the California Community Colleges, honors leaders who are making significant strides in creating inclusive, healing, and empowering environments for LGBTQIA+ students.
Lucio was nominated for his leadership and advocacy in developing supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, including affinity spaces and the newly established Pride Scholars Learning Cohort. The award will be formally presented at the California Community Colleges LGBTQ+ Summit today, Tuesday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m. during a free, virtual event.
Reflecting on what this award means to him, Lucio shared:
“I feel honored and proud that the work we’re doing at Mesa College is being recognized at the state level, especially in today’s social-political climate. This award highlights the critical need to support our LGBTQIA+ students and reaffirms the importance of showing up for them every day.”
Lucio’s passion is deeply personal. As a proud product of the community college system and a former Puente Project student, he draws from his own experiences to connect with and uplift the students he serves.
“I see myself reflected in our students—students who have experienced food insecurity, who’ve felt unseen. I strive to ensure they feel a sense of belonging here at Mesa.”
When asked what advice he’d give to others hoping to create more inclusive environments, Lucio emphasized the importance of community and intentional action:
“Advocacy looks different for everyone. Whether it’s creating new resources or simply being a safe person in the classroom, all efforts matter. Connect with your students, listen to what they need, and build coalitions within your institution. Community is everything.”
San Diego Mesa College President Dr. Ashanti T. Hands praised Lucio’s impact and leadership:
“Lucio Lira embodies the heart and soul of Mesa College—equity in action, rooted in care. His work ensures our LGBTQIA+ students are not only seen but celebrated. This statewide recognition affirms what we already know: when we lead with purpose and create the conditions for every student to belong, transformation happens.”
About San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College is a fully accredited, comprehensive college committed to equity and excellence. We honor our diverse community of students, faculty, professional staff, and administrators who collaborate to foster scholarship, leadership, access, and innovation in an inclusive learning environment. By promoting student learning and achievement that leads to degrees and certificates, transfer, workforce training, and lifelong learning, we empower our students to reach their educational goals and shape their future. Among the largest community colleges in California, Mesa serves approximately 29,000 students per year, 25% of whom are full-time. Mesa offers over 200 associate degree and certificate programs and is one of 15 California community colleges offering a four-year baccalaureate degree. Mesa ranks as one of San Diego’s top transfer institutions, is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and a Military Friendly Gold Status School, serving nearly 2,500 active duty, veterans, and their families. www.sdmesa.edu
The Pride Center at San Diego Mesa College aims to promote a safe environment where LGBTQIA+ students, staff, faculty, and allies can be their authentic selves, feel welcomed, comfortable, and at home.
For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Anabell Pulido
Information Officer, San Diego Mesa College
Find San Diego Mesa College on Social Media:
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Tags: Pride Center, In The News, Pride Scholars Learning Cohort, Lucio Lira
Anabell Pulido
Director of Communications
apulido@sdccd.edu
(619) 388-2759
SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego Mesa College will celebrate the grand opening of its newly developed CommUnity Spaces—student-centered support and affinity spaces designed to enhance engagement, learning, and a sense of belonging on campus—on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Room I4-202.
San Diego Mesa College is proud to announce that Lucio Lira, Counselor Coordinator at the Pride Center, has been selected to receive the 2025 Dr. Emilie Mitchell Rainbow Excellence Award. This prestigious recognition, presented by the California Community Colleges, honors leaders who are making significant strides in creating inclusive, healing, and empowering environments for LGBTQIA+ students.
Five students at San Diego City, San Diego Mesa and San Diego Miramar colleges have been named as semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship that provides a tuition-free pathway to a four-year degree at a college or university of their choice.
