GIVE TO MESA

Classified Senate

Classified Senate

The Classified Senate represents all classified professionals at San Diego Mesa College in the shared governance and decision-making processes throughout the college, district and state. The San Diego Mesa College Classified Senate strives to enhance organizational effectiveness and fluidity in order to support exemplary teaching and learning on campus and throughout the District. The Senate functions to fulfill its mission, work toward its vision, all while encompassing its core values.

Upcoming Meetings

Meetings are regularly scheduled for the second & fourth Thursday of each month from 11am - 12pm, subject to change if date conflicts with any holidays or campus-wide events.

Spring 2026 Meeting Schedule

  • Next Meeting: coming soon!
  • TBD

Mission

The San Diego Mesa College Classified Senate shall represent classified professionals in governance and in the life of the college to create an engaged, inclusive, and equitable environment for classified professionals, students, and faculty, promoting professional learning and inspiring leadership within our diverse community.


Vision

To lead in realizing the transformative mission of the community college at Mesa.


Values

  • Communication
  • Inclusion
  • Representation
  • Diversity
  • Leadership
  • Scholarship
  • Equity
  • Professionalism

Some of the Senate's areas of focus include:

  • Representing classified professionals in participatory governance and decision-making issues not related to collective bargaining and/or contract negotiations.
  • Supporting and promoting professionalism of classified professionals.
  • Encouraging individual and collective leadership, contribution, and professional development among classified professionals.
  • Appointing classified representation within the committee framework as part of the democratic processes prevalent at Mesa College and the San Diego Community College District.
  • Providing a centralized method of effective communication throughout the college community.
  • Collecting and disseminating relevant governance information to classified professionals.

Senate Officers

Executive Officers

Senators

Agendas & Minutes

Events

The Classified Senate encourages all classified professionals to participate in professional learning.

  • Improve your work skills
  • Set new professional goals
  • Learn new technologies
  • Acquire new equity strategies and practices
  • Share your knowledge with others

Upcoming Events

Coming soon!

 

Fundraising

Coming soon!

Classified Resources

Explore the various helpful resources available for classified professionals.

Classified Hacks Workshops

Workshop #1

Workshop #2

Workshop #3


Mesa Links


External Links and Resources

If you have any questions or suggestions for resources to add, please contact Senate Manager, Jennifer Phelps at [email protected].

Joyce Skaryak Classified Senate Scholarship

The Classified Senate would like to support classified full-time, part-time and work-study professionals who participate in lifelong learning to better serve our students, departments, and the College. Eligible applicants must be classified full-time, part-time, hourly, or work-study employees actively engaged in learning that contributes to the work they do at Mesa College. Lifelong learning includes formal and informal learning that participants gain through:

  • For-Credit Classes
  • Continuing Education Classes
  • Professional Learning Workshops (such as those offered by the LOFT)
  • Other Personal or Professional Learning Opportunities

Amount: $300 - $500

Scholarship Period: Closed

Eligibility:

  • Must be a classified full-time, part-time, hourly, or work-study employee
  • Must be actively engaged in learning

Essay Prompt: Submit an original essay describing how you contribute to better serving students, your department, and/or the college through your ongoing learning, whether formal or informal. Your essay should be 500-750 words (2-3 typed, double spaced pages).

Rating Rubric:

  • Description of Learning Experienced
  • Description of service to students, departments, and/or the College
  • Description of Link between Learning and Service
  • Clarity and Readability

Scholarship Presentation and PowerPoint

Open Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions

Dues Campaign

Classified Employees: please consider donating $1.00-$5.00 per month through an automatic payroll deduction to the Classified Senate. It is sooo easy to set up through PeopleSoft. Contributions serve as our primary operating budget for the year and help to fund activities like Classified Appreciation Week, Classified scholarships, and the Center for Children Holiday Bazaar. Your contribution will also help us continue to grow the Senate on behalf of all Classified employees.

Make a difference and donate today! Classified Senate is your voice in participatory government. Your donation helps support the following activities:

  • Classified Appreciation Week
  • Classified Awards Banquet
  • Classified Retirement Gifts
  • Classified Scholarships
  • Classified Professional Development
  • Classified Volunteering and Community Involvement

Ways to Donate

  • Payroll Deduction:
    1. Visit https://myportal.sdccd.edu and sign in to your PeopleSoft account.
    2. Select "Employee Dashboard."
    3. Select "My Pay."
    4. Select "Voluntary Deductions."
    5. Select "Add Deduction."
    6. Enter "Classified Senate Dues - Mesa" in the Type of Deduction field.
    7. Complete the rest of the required fields on the "Add Voluntary Deduction" page.
    8. Click Submit.
  • PayPal
  • Check or Cash: Please make check payable to “Mesa Classified Senate” and remit to Treasurer, Jennifer Phelps, office/mailbox BT-203. You can contact any member of the Senate Executive Board by email or phone and we’ll make arrangements to come pick it up. If you’d like a receipt, we can provide that, as well.

Classified Spotlight

Mesa Classified Spotlight is produced by the Classified Senate. Each month the Classified Senate highlights two Classified Professionals, showcasing the work they do and how they contribute to the success of our students and campus. By engaging in this project, we hope this will help build community among our group of Classified Professionals and help serve as a resource for each other.

Do you want to nominate a Classified Professional for the spotlight? Qualifications include being awesome in your job and having a willingness to help others! Send your suggestions to Sahar King at [email protected].

Committees

Are you interested in leadership and networking opportunities? Get involved in Mesa College and join a governance committee. Classified representation is always needed and your voice counts! Contact Classified Senate Vice President, Eva Parrill, at: [email protected] for more information on current committee vacancies and how you can make a difference.

Committees page

©