Women’s volleyball at Mesa College is on a spike. In the spring, the Olympians won the state beach volleyball title after winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title for a fourth straight year.
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.
May 12, 2016
Swimming across the Catalina Channel – 21 miles from coast-to-coast – is difficult enough. Navy veteran and Mesa student Robert Palmese would know: last June, he became the 324th person to accomplish the feat.
This year, however, he’s aiming to make history. On August 11, Palmese will attempt to be the first person to cross the channel three times, an incredible 60+ mile swim that will take roughly 36 hours.
To raise money and prepare for his ambitious goal, Palmese took to Mesa College’s pool, where he swam for 12 straight hours. For reference, one swim across the Catalina Channel is approximately 693 laps.
Palmese has also been training with the Mesa College Swim Team and coaches Nathan Resch and Jim Fegan.
“Coach Resch at Mesa College was a huge part of my success in the pool and the ocean,” Palmese explains on his website. “He didn't even know about my plans to do the channel swim until just before the end of the season. With just a couple months left for training, he was onboard right away.”
Only four other people have made triple channel crossings, all four of which having occurred in the English Channel.
With all of his swims, Palmese also raises money for and promotes awareness for those suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. His first swim across the Catalina Channel memorialized Emily Noelle Nichols, a friend of Palmese’s who passed away from the disease in early 2015.
Find out more about Palmese and his upcoming challenge at his website, www.robertpalmese.com.
Tags: Students, Swimming, Athletics
Jennifer Nichols Kearns
Director of Communications
[email protected]
(619) 388-2759
Women’s volleyball at Mesa College is on a spike. In the spring, the Olympians won the state beach volleyball title after winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title for a fourth straight year.
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.
San Diego –On Monday, July 22 to Thursday, July 25, 2024, the San Diego Mesa College Softball program and Nike’s US Sports Camp program will host a half day and day camp for local girls, ages 6-14, at all levels of experience with Softball. Campers will learn the skills required to successfully play at a competitive level and maximize their potential as players.
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.
