Longtime public sector employee, Jesse Lopez, has been appointed dean for the School of Business, Information Technology, Cosmetology, Engineering, and Trades at San Diego City College (BICET). Lopez has been serving individuals from diverse backgrounds, many who were victims of inequity, discrimination, and injustices for nearly twenty years. His new position is effective July 5.
“Nearly all large organizations have a mission and values statement. However, not all organizations stay focused on it. I was excited to learn that my personal and professional goals and values are aligned with that of City College,” said Lopez. “It was exciting to learn about City College’s commitment to social justice and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). It’s reassuring to know the time I invest here at City College will serve an organization I am proud to represent.”
He continued, “I, too, am committed to sustaining a teaching, learning, and work culture that envisions and actively validates and uplifts our diverse community’s lived experiences to ensure a strength-based structural and cultural change at our institution.”
A perfect fit for City College, whose mission is to provide open access to all who can benefit from instruction and to meeting the diverse and ever-changing educational, cultural, and economic needs of the urban core and surrounding communities of San Diego. The college is committed to the development of informed, active individuals who will be engaged in the global community, lifelong learners, social justice advocates, and literate in information technology.
Lopez is a first-generation college graduate and looks forward to being the first in his family to complete a doctorate degree, which will be in public administration.
His passion for higher education started as a federal work-study (FWS) student worker at the University of La Verne Career Center. “I consider this professional opportunity to be the foundation of my entire professional career. The experiences I gained working in the Career Center ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in career and employment services in addition to higher education. I’ve discovered many students are unaware of the benefits of FWS and other forms of work-based learning (WBL). Therefore, I share my story and experience as a FWS worker with students whenever I have a chance,” said Lopez who later became the career services office manager and employer relations specialist at the University of La Verne.
San Diego City College is a leader in workforce education for the region, and offers more than 250 degree programs. The college is the second within the San Diego Community College District to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree in the rapidly growing field of cyber security.
Inspiring innovation, creating new Career Technical Education (CTE) partnerships and relationships as well as building a sense of recognition for the students and employees of the BICET school at City College are among first-year priorities for Dean Lopez. “I will ensure our students and employees feel supported throughout their academic and professional journeys at City College. Throughout my leadership experience, I’ve learned employees who are supported and empowered by management are better equipped to support our students and other stakeholders.”
Prior to his arrival at City College, Lopez served as the dean of Business and Technical Careers at San Diego Miramar College. He worked as the director of CTE for Norco College, a program supervisor for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, an employment services specialist for San Bernardino County Human Resources, and as an information officer for the California Air Resources Board.
Lopez holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor's in Business Administration, both from the University of La Verne.