Welcome to San Diego City College! Serving students for more than 100 years, we celebrate the rich heritage of all of our students and staff. We respect that you come to City College with an important family heritage, a valuable collection of life experiences, and a great expectation for your future.
Although we come from different places, we join together here at City College focused on one goal: student success. Student success has different definitions, but here at City College it means that each and every student is provided a pathway to reach their academic, career, and life goals.
President - Dr. Ricky Shabazz
Dr. Ricky Shabazz is an enthusiastic, student-centered leader with over 20 years of
executive experience advancing academic achievement, educational equity, diversity,
and improving access to higher education. He is an effective public speaker and team
builder with an accomplished track record developing collaborative partnerships that
improve student success. He specializes in enrollment management and cultivating institutional
policies, processes, and culture that provide personalized student experiences and
improves student outcomes. Dr. Shabazz's demonstrated strengths include using data
informed decisions to lead high impact models of practice, promoting innovative solutions
that stimulate inclusive dialogue amongst all stakeholders, and being a passionate
lifelong learner who is absolutely committed to the mission of community colleges
to educate a diverse community of learners.
Vice President of Administrative Services - John Parker, DBA
Dr. John Parker joined City College in August of 2020. As a collaborative, solutions-focused
leader, John brings 15 year of higher education experience. Prior to joining City
College, he previously served as a university CFO and as a college President. He promotes
an atmosphere of strong relationships and operational excellence in his commitment
to students, mission and culture. John earned a doctorate in Business Administration
from Argosy University, an MS in Accounting from Arizona State University and a BS
in Business Administration from USC. As a first generation college graduate and an
adjunct accounting and finance instructor, John is dedicated to serving historically
underserved students and the communities in which they live.
Vice President of Instruction - Matilda Chavez
Ms. Matilda "Tillie" Chavez was approved in December by the SDCCD Board of Trustees
to serve as City College's new vice president of instruction. Tillie brings more than
17 years of experience in higher education. She earned a BS in nursing from Arizona
State University and an MS in nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland,
Ohio. Tillie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership at Old Dominion
University in Norfolk, VA. Most recently, Tillie served as the interim vice president
of instruction at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix.
Vice President of Student Services - Denise Whisenhunt
Denise Whisenhunt is the Vice President of Student Services. She earned a political science degree from the University of California, San Diego and is a graduate of the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. She has served the San Diego Community College District in a variety of administrative leadership capacities for more than 17 years, and now serves as the Vice President of Student Services at San Diego City College. Prior to this role, she served as the Dean of Student Affairs and the Interim Vice President of Student Services at San Diego Mesa College. She has also served as the Interim Dean of Student Development at City, and the Associate Dean of Outreach for the entire San Diego Community College District. Most recently, she served as the Interim President of City College, providing leadership to the College during its transition to permanent college leadership. As the VP of Student Service, Ms. Whisenhunt provides vision, and leadership of the college's comprehensive student services programs including its student success efforts, counseling, admissions, registration, veterans', and student success, Student Affairs, such as student government, financial aid/EOPS, job placement, student grievance, and the disciplinary process equity initiatives and athletics. She also has oversight of several federal and state grants to support the colleges agenda.