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New chancellor to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion in the San Diego Community College District

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New chancellor to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion in the San Diego Community College District


Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith led the San Diego Community College District contingent in the Martin Luther King (MLK) Day Parade along the Embarcadero on Sunday.

Next week, he will take the permanent position when the Board of Trustees approves his contract.

“I have a responsibility to correct things that people who look like me have created,” Smith said.

As a white man, he is direct about discrimination and the American history that so many politicians and pundits currently disagree over. This election year, there is a cultural divide when it comes to the discussion of slavery, civil rights, and social justice for marginalized minority communities who have suffered most.

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“I exist in a context where I may not have been the enslaver, but I have benefited tremendously from that racial hierarchy. So, it’s on me to be a part of solving that and take a proactive role in solving it,” he said.

San Diego Community College District

Greg Smith, acting Chancellor, marched with the San Diego Community College District contingent in the MLK Parade, Sunday, San Diego, Calif., January 14, 2024

In December, the district’s board promoted Smith from acting chancellor, a position he’s held since last March.

He stepped up from his job as head of human resources to replace previous chancellor Carlos Cortez, who unexpectedly resigned for personal reasons.

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“I was not expecting there to be a need to serve as acting chancellor … I wasn’t expecting that the board would be thinking of me if that moment came,” Smith said. 

The moment had come.

“We are capable of creating the curriculum, the certificates, and the degrees that demonstrate our value to society. It can help us raise the standard of living wages across all industries in our region and improve the experience we all have in our communities.”

Gregory Smith, Acting Chancellor San Diego Community College District

Smith leads a district with a majority of students who come from marginalized communities of color, who want equity, access and an affordable education — on both sides of the border.

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The new year brings a new law with a pilot program allowing low-income students who live within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border to attend community college and not pay much more expensive out-of-state tuition. It works both ways.

“We’ve dropped a significant financial barrier for members of our community who just happen to live on the other side of that border, and there’s a reciprocal agreement that comes with that. Our residents will now be able to go to institutions in Northern Mexico and take classes with resident tuition as well.”

Smith will also advocate for every dollar the district can get from the state budget. Governor Newsom’s new spending proposal includes $60 million for community colleges to expand their nursing programs, including more 4-year bachelor degrees.

The Newsom budget also continues state support for affordable student housing. That includes funding for the district’s mid-rise apartment complex planned at City College through a state lease revenue bond.

Greg Smith joined the San Diego Community College District as Vice Chancellor of Human Resources in October 2020, San Diego, Calif., January 12, 2024

Greg Smith joined the San Diego Community College District as Vice Chancellor of Human Resources in October 2020, San Diego, Calif., January 12, 2024

“We are capable of creating the curriculum, the certificates, and the degrees that demonstrate our value to society. It can help us raise the standard of living wages across all industries in our region and improve the experience we all have in our communities,” Smith said.

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Almost 100,000 students will be served by the San Diego Community College District this year at City, Mesa, Miramar, and the seven other campuses of the College of Continuing Education.

The spring semester starts Jan. 29 and enrollment is already up 10% from last year.

This MLK holiday marks the beginning of a new era.

“What I’d love to see is a district where every member, student, employee, community member coming in feels like I can be authentically who I am here and I will belong. And, in that, I can actually achieve success,” he said.

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees


SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

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The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

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Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

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Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

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Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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