Episode 116 | Gregory Smith, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District

In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Gregory Smith, the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District .

What a journey.  The feeling that Gregory Smith must have when he visits any of the four colleges within the District.  The feeling of once having been a community college student to now running four community colleges which serve over 90,000 San Diegans each year.  Had it not been for the "entry point" to higher education he enjoyed, he likely would have never graced the campuses of Arizona State and USC.  

We also learn from Gregory the difference in public perception between four-year universities and community colleges, with community colleges enjoying an upward trend.  In general, perhaps because of access, affordability, and connection to workforce needs, the San Diego Community College District enjoys a strong public perception.  

An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Gregory Smith. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:

• SDCCD has four colleges: City College, Mesa College, San Diego Miramar, and the College for Continuing Education, each offering different programs
• They became a living wage employer as of January 1, 2024
• His view that while community colleges have always been culturally responsive, he wants to expand the cultures they are responding to 
• How humility informs their growth plans
• The growing list of four year degree programs offered by SDCCD, including new ones either  coming or under development in cybersecurity, public safety administration, PT Assistant, and possibly nursing
• The answers to the rapid-fire questions.

An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Gregory, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

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If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to [e-mail]. Thank you for listening.

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