President's Office
Greetings Campus Community:
I hope this message finds you well and that you鈥檙e enjoying a restful and rejuvenating
summer! Here鈥檚 a quick update on what鈥檚 happening across campus:
Enrollment Update: Our current enrollment stands at 2,700.39, compared to 2,792.7 this time last year,
slightly behind by about 4%. There鈥檚 still time to close the gap, and we鈥檙e working
hard to boost enrollment in the coming weeks. For example, we鈥檙e hosting a registration
event on August 5, 2025, to help students get enrolled and prepared for the fall semester.
Additionally, our marketing team is launching an 鈥淗our of Power鈥� recruitment and outreach
blitz to connect with prospective students and encourage last-minute registrations.
We鈥檙e encouraged by the momentum and looking forward to a strong finish!
With everyone鈥檚 effort and support, we can finish strong and welcome a great fall
class!
Convocation 2025: I鈥檓 extremely excited for our upcoming Convocation onThursday, August 8, starting at 8:00 AM. This annual gathering is one of the few times we come together as a campus community,
where we reconnect, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead.
This year鈥檚 theme is:鈥淢颈蝉蝉颈辞苍Im笔辞蝉蝉颈产濒别鈥� because all things are possible, no matter what others may say or our self doubts.
We鈥檒l have a very special guest, Mr. Richard Monta帽ez, whose inspiring journey is
featured in the movie "Flamin鈥� Hot." I highly encourage you to watch it ahead of time! It鈥檚 streaming on Hulu, and the library
will have a few copies available for checkout.
A huge thank you to the Convocation Task Force & those who contributed to this event
(Martha Gutierrez, Hector Garza, Leticia Pastrana, Daniel Hernandez, Maria Esquer,
Cindy Morales, Jessica Prock, Linda Diaz, Dixie Krimm, Sheila Dorsey Freeman, Xochitl
Tirado, Mirella Cital, Allen Leon, Mabel Vargas, Jose Carrillo and many others ).
The agenda will be sent out soon once finalized, but in the meantime, please be sure
to RSVP so we can plan accordingly. RSVP here:
Campus Priorities for 2025鈥�2026: At Convocation, I鈥檒l share our key campus priorities for the academic year, all aligned
with our Vision 2030 goals. Like in the past, we鈥檒l focus on five overarching strategies:
- Increase Student Access and Success
- Fully implement 8-week courses
- Scale up enrollment to maximize fill rates in current non-credit offerings
- Increase completion and transfer rates
- Integrate AI in College Operations
- Develop policies, procedures, and innovative uses of AI in and out of the classroom
- Enhance Financial Management and Solvency
- Braid funding resources, grow alternative revenue streams, and plan ahead for state
and federal changes
- Leverage Professional Development
- to support campus initiatives, innovation, and succession planning through targeted/tailored
training
- Enhance Outreach and Marketing
- Measure the effectiveness of our activities and expand community visioning efforts
Construction Update: If you haven鈥檛 noticed, the Autotech and Art Laboratory Building is about 30% completed.
The new facility is scheduled to be substantially completed by Spring 2026. Thereafter,
the district will work on adding the necessary furniture, equipment, and technology.
The building will be ready for student occupancy by summer 2026. This long-awaited
project FUNDED BY MEASURE J, over 20 years in the making, is almost here! We鈥檙e so
excited to bring this state-of-the-art facility to 海角破解版, where students will gain hands-on
training to repair and maintain cars, electric vehicles, trucks, diesel engines, and
much more. This will create new career pathways and stimulate jobs and opportunities
across our community.
Other exciting projects are also in the works:
-
Public Safety Regional Training Center and Maintenance & Operations Warehouse: set
to break ground in Spring 2026, with an expected completion timeline of about two
years. FUNDED BY OUR 2022 MEASURE B GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
-
Industrial Automation Building (Lithium): set to break ground in the Summer of 2027.
FUNDED BY OUR 2022 MEASURE B GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
-
Joint Intersegmental Housing Project with SDSU: designed to provide much-needed housing
for students, this is on track for an anticipated completion date of Fall 2026.
-
Our One-Stop Student Services Building is in the early planning and engineering phase
but this project (building) is scheduled to be open by the summer of 2030. FUNDED
BY OUR 2022 MEASURE B GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
-
The State Chancellor's Office (as part of the 2025-26 state budget) approved a 50%
matching of funds for the renovation of our gymnasium. The district's project management
team is working with our architects on the required DSA approval. We are hoping to
break ground and begin the renovation by the summer of 2026. THIS PROJECT WILL BE
50% STATE BOND (PROP. 2) FUND AND 50% - DISTRICT'S BUILDING FUND. Overall, the cost
to renovate the gym will be approximately $20 million
-
Facilities - Upcoming Projects:
-
Also, our Campus Safety enhancements are nearly all complete:
-
Campus Safety Office has relocated to building 2600 (2603)
-
Security Camara Refresh - to be completed by July 30, 2025
-
Blue Towers (Poles) replacement - to be completed by August 30, 2025
-
Extended and enhanced our contract with ICSO to include two armed deputies
Through these efforts, we are more prepared than ever to protect our most valuable
resources... You, and of course, Our Students.
Federal Updates and Budget: We鈥檙e closely monitoring the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the downsizing
of the U.S. Department of Education. At this time, the impact on 海角破解版 is expected to
be minimal, only about 3% of our total budget comes directly from federal sources.
Here鈥檚 what we know so far:
- The Board approved the tentative budget last month, reflecting the most up-to-date
projection that was submitted to the state.
- TRiO programs make up the majority of our federal funding:
- Student Support Services has been renewed for the next five years
- Upward Bound remains funded through 2027鈥�28
- Educational Talent Search is funded for this year, and we鈥檒l submit our renewal application
before December
The good news is our overall budget remains healthy, as we have been diligent in managing
our resources effectively. Thank you, Business Office, and to the wonderful faculty,
staff and administrators who have been prudent in their spending!
We are also carefully monitoring the happenings at both the federal and state levels.
In reviewing plans coming out of Washington, many of the functions currently handled
by the U.S. Department of Education may be shifted to another federal agency or directly
to the states. This means that now, more than ever, we must advocate strongly at both
levels to ensure our college and our community are represented and supported.
The leadership team will continue to meet regularly with union and academic leaders
to share updates and work together proactively to keep all parties informed as these
changes unfold.
Final Thoughts: I鈥檓 truly looking forward to seeing all of you at Convocation. It will be inspiring,
informative, and of course, fun. It is a great way to kick off another year of possibilities
together and to illustrate that our mission of Eradicating Poverty in Imperial County
is Possible!
In the meantime, I encourage you to check out the movie "Flamin鈥� Hot," for convocation, and Mark your calendars for August 8
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and thank you for all you do to make 海角破解版 exceptional!
A Aspen Winner and One of the only Colleges in the State with the destination of being
an Our Mission is POSSIBLE!
Warm regards,
Lennor
Lennor M. Johnson, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
President鈥檚 Office
President鈥檚 Office
380 E. Aten Rd
William J. Thornburg Administration Center, Building 10
Superintendent/President
Lennor M. Johnson, Ed.D.
Senior Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/President
Mabel I. Vargas, MPA
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/President and Board Support
Claudia M. Aguilar
Let鈥檚 Chat 海角破解版: Virtual Town Hall Meetings
Twice each semester, 海角破解版鈥檚 President hosts a Virtual Town Hall
to provide students and campus community members with direct updates from college
leadership. Launched during the 2025 spring semester, these meetings offer valuable
insights into key campus developments, available resources for students and employees,
and other important topics. Each session concludes with a live Q&A, giving participants
the opportunity to engage with 海角破解版 leadership and get their questions answered.
Recordings of past Virtual Town Halls are posted here, along with related resources
and contact information from guest speakers. Updates on the next scheduled session,
including the date, time, and participation details, will also be available on this
page.
Stay informed and connected鈥攃heck back regularly for the latest updates!
Spring 2025 Let鈥檚 Chat Sessions:
Session 2: Date not yet announced
