The San Diego Mesa College Athletic Program has cemented its place as one of the nation’s premier two-year college athletic programs, finishing second in the 2024–2025 Ron Case Cup standings. The award, one of the highest honors in two-year college athletics, recognizes excellence in championship competition across all sports.
I was born in Munich, Germany, but moved to California right before I turned a year old; so unfortunately, I do not speak German. I lived in San Jose until I was eight, then I moved to San Diego, where I have been for the latter half of my life.
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.
May 28, 2025
When Melissa Chavez walks across the stage at San Diego Mesa College on Friday, May 30, 2025, she’ll be celebrating more than just a degree in Culinary Arts. She’ll be celebrating a journey of growth, resilience, and newfound purpose made possible by the power of community college support.
Originally from Pomona and raised in Indio, Melissa came to Mesa unsure of her place in college or in her future field. “Before coming here, I didn’t really believe in myself or my abilities,” she said. “But being at Mesa changed that.”
What made the difference? Supportive faculty, uplifting classmates, and a campus culture that believes in every student’s potential.
Culinary Professor Chef Tonya Whitfield became a guiding light in Melissa’s journey. “She is not only a knowledgeable and skilled chef, but a patient and dedicated mentor. She made everyone feel seen and capable,” Melissa shared. “She’s shown me what it means to lead with kindness and purpose.”
That encouragement, combined with mentorship from Hospitality Professor Brian Lesson and support from the Mental Health Department, helped Melissa grow in confidence and skill. She made the Dean’s List in her first year and discovered that she was capable of far more than she ever imagined.
While Melissa’s primary focus was culinary, Mesa opened unexpected doors—like her love for swimming. “I never imagined I’d be able to swim a mile, but with Coach Jim Fegan’s help, I did it!” she said. “That experience showed me that I’m capable of more than I thought, both physically and mentally.”
Tags: #WeAreMesa, #SDMesaGrads, Commencement
Anabell Pulido
Director of Communications
apulido@sdccd.edu
(619) 388-2759
When Melissa Chavez walks across the stage at San Diego Mesa College on Friday, May 30, 2025, she’ll be celebrating more than just a degree in Culinary Arts. She’ll be celebrating a journey of growth, resilience, and newfound purpose made possible by the power of community college support.
I was born in Munich, Germany, but moved to California right before I turned a year old; so unfortunately, I do not speak German. I lived in San Jose until I was eight, then I moved to San Diego, where I have been for the latter half of my life.
San Diego, CA. — Today, Friday, May 26 at 2:00 p.m., San Diego Mesa College will host their 58th Commencement Ceremony, where nearly 700 of the 2,000 academic degrees and certificates earned this year will be conferred. Among them are the sixth set of students receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in Health Information Management (HIM), scores of first-generation students, and over 100 each of student-athletes and Promise students. Nearly 650 students are graduating with more than one degree, and the Class of 2023 boasts 110 valedictorians and over 700 students who are graduating with honors. Mesa’s youngest graduate is 17, and the oldest is 72.
