The New Faculty Institute, San Diego Mesa College’s year-long orientation program for new faculty members, welcomed twelve new full-time faculty members to campus on August 14-15 for “We Are Mesa” Days.
Psychology major Emerald Moreno is inspired by a passion for understanding and interpreting others, along with a deep faith that psychology is her calling. She plans to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, minor in Spanish, and continue exploring a future in law.
After a major surgery and months of recovery, Tracey Kushner faced a decision that would reshape her future. In 2024, she returned to San Diego Mesa College determined to finish the degree she had started years earlier.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego Mesa College proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 29, 2026, honoring 1,958 graduates who earned more than 2,017 academic degrees and 414 certificates. A total of 727 graduates participated in the ceremony, joined by family, friends, faculty, staff, and community supporters.
August 15, 2017
The New Faculty Institute, San Diego Mesa College’s year-long orientation program for new faculty members, welcomed twelve new full-time faculty members to campus on August 14-15 for “We Are Mesa” Days.
As the first New Faculty Institute event, “We Are Mesa” Days featured two days of presentations and activities designed to acclimate new tenure-track faculty to Mesa College.
Presentations included topics such as preparing for classes and understanding job duties to learning about services available to both faculty and students.
The first team-building activity took place August 14, with the new group coming together to make lunch with the help of the Culinary Arts/Culinary Management department in the state-of-the-art Mesa Commons building.
This year’s New Faculty Institute cohort includes Blythe Barton, Dance; Kelsey Brown, Personal Trainer; Sudhakar Kalagara, Chemistry; Dave Odasso, Communication Studies; Nadia Pidgeon, Interior Design; Scott Plambeck, Communication Studies; Sean Ricketts, Track & Field / Cross Country; Allan Schougaard, Computer Information Science; Kristian Secor, Web Development; Jesus Gaytan, EOPS Special Populations; Terrence Hale, General Counselor; and Patricia Rodriguez, General Counselor.
In addition to learning about about Mesa and campus life, the New Faculty Institute provides faculty with support and networking opportunities, as well as a 50,000-ft. view of the community college system.
Tags: New Faculty Institute
Jennifer Nichols Kearns
Director of Communications
[email protected]
(619) 388-2759
The New Faculty Institute, San Diego Mesa College’s year-long orientation program for new faculty members, welcomed twelve new full-time faculty members to campus on August 14-15 for “We Are Mesa” Days.
