San Diego City College handed out more than $366,000 in scholarships at a ceremony at semester’s end that not only celebrated students’ accomplishments, but also aimed to encourage them as they seek more success.

The theme, “I Am Resilient,” acknowledges the ongoing pandemic and the specific challenges it has posed to students, and also the individual obstacles they had to overcome on the way to their academic and community achievements.

At the 31st annual ceremony, on May 10 on the A Building Patio, nearly 600 students received awards valued at up to $2,500 that covered a range of disciplines, from archeology to psychology. They also supported students in vocational or technical programs.

“It validates why we do the work that we do,” said Adan Sanchez, acting dean of Student Affairs. “Students, they persevere. They don’t see the challenges they’re currently facing as obstacles, they see them as bumps along the way. They’re not going to let those stop them, or they’re not going to let parts of who they are be limitations. They’re going to do the work they’re doing in school because they’re parents, because they’re first generation, because they’re LGBTQ or because they want to do something better for themselves or their families. Their stories are phenomenal.”

The awards not only provide assistance to those currently pursuing an education, but they also honor those with deep connections to City College, some who are no longer with us, and even some who are celebrated, such as alumnus and co-founder of Costco Jim Sinegal.

On-campus readers like Sanchez, who help review applicants’ essays, find themselves connecting with the stories students tell, he said. It’s the same for the scholarship funders.

“As donors, they feel so proud to be able to support students’ journeys at City College or beyond,” he said. “It speaks to the dedication and commitment that students have, their resilience and perseverance in completing their education here at City before they move forward.”

There were new features at the event as well.

For one, it was held on campus for the first time, Sanchez said. A new program, the San Diego City College Associated Students Government Scholarships, was added to support various groups working toward an associate degree or to transfer to a four-year university, including disabled students, international students, LGBTQIA students, and students who were once incarcerated or are former foster youths.

The college also took another step toward sustainability by having a limited number of printed programs on hand. Instead, those with mobile phones or other devices were invited to scan a QR code for access to the program.

Photos from the event can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzPrQq

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Established in 1914, San Diego City College serves as the educational cornerstone of downtown San Diego. A 60-acre urban campus, City College serves more than 16,000 students, offering 200 majors and degrees and 1,800 classes. City College is part of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), the second-largest of California’s 72 community college districts, which also includes Mesa College, Miramar College, and Continuing Education. For more information, visit www.sdcity.edu.

Contact: Cesar Gumapas, Information Officer at 619-388-3911 or cgumapas@sdccd.edu