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
Senate Documents
The Classified Senate is governed by the following Constitution and Bylaws.
Resolutions
2017.001: Classified Professional Terminology
2020-001: Condemning Sexist and Threatening Language
Presentations
Agendas & Minutes
2025 - 2026chevron_right
2024 - 2025chevron_right
2023 - 2024chevron_right
2022 - 2023chevron_right
2021 - 2022chevron_right
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.
- Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Employee Discount Programs
- Salary Schedules
- Tuition reimbursement procedures (see Classified Hacks #1)
Classified Hacks Workshops
Workshop #1
- Excel hacks
- Windows 10 hacks
- SDCCD email tips, tricks, and forwarding
- Educational incentive benefits & tuition reimbursement
- Links to free stuff for SDCCD and CA Community College employees
- Workshop 1 Presentation video
- Google Docs resources
Workshop #2
- Design Your Own Flyers Like a Pro (on Canva.com)
- Equity Discussions w/ your Supervisor & How to Store Log-In Credentials
- Safety During COVID-19, Having Difficult Conversation with a Manager
- Workshop 2 Presentation video
- Google Docs resources
Workshop #3
- Keeping Organized & Making the Most of Your Workday for Overall Balance
- Jamming out with Jamboard!
- A Classified Journey Presentation
- Workshop 3 Presentation video
- Google Docs resources
Mesa Links
- Campus Map
- Classified Hiring Priority Committee
- Classified Professional Learning Committee
- College Technology Services
- Events & Reservations Portal
- Form Finder
- Mesa Journeys
- Mesa Governance and Committees
- PeopleSoft Knowledgebase
- Printing & Mail Services
External Links and Resources
- California State Classified Senate
- American Association of Community Colleges
- California State Chancellor's Office
- San Diego Community College District Homepage
- AFT Guild, Local 1931: Represents Food Service and Office Technical
- AFT Mentoring Program: M&M: Mentors and Mentees is a mentorship program sto provide the resources and individual mentoring that prepares Classified Professionals for a successful and rewarding professional life.
- California School Employee Association: Represents Campus Police
- Service Employees International Union: Represents Facilities Services
- Guidance Memorandum for 2018-19 Professional Development for Classified Community College Employees Funds. In 2019, block grant funds were made available for Classified Professional Development. For information about the spending plan, contact the LOFT.
- Vision Resource Center - California Community Colleges: The Vision Resource Center is an online learning and collaboration platform for all professionals in the California Community Colleges. The content provided will support every individual and college as we work together toward the Vision for Success goals.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?chevron_right
Apply at the Mesa College Scholarship Opportunities web page.
Can I still apply if the classes I’ve taken are eligible for AFT Educational Incentive Tuition Reimbursement?chevron_right
Yes!
Can I still apply if I'm taking classes somewhere other than Mesa College?chevron_right
Yes!
Can I still apply if I am using Lynda.com, the LOFT, or other community resources to improve my service?chevron_right
Yes! When you are filling out the application, for fields that do not apply (GPA, Course units enrolled, course units completed, etc) enter “0 or “none” For the section that requires you upload a transcript, upload a document that states “I am not a current student” or “I do not have one.”
Who can I contact with additional questions?chevron_right
Please contact Eva Parrill with any further questions or issues: [email protected].
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:
- Visit https://myportal.sdccd.edu and sign in to your PeopleSoft account.
- Select "Employee Dashboard."
- Select "My Pay."
- Select "Voluntary Deductions."
- Select "Add Deduction."
- Enter "Classified Senate Dues - Mesa" in the Type of Deduction field.
- Complete the rest of the required fields on the "Add Voluntary Deduction" page.
- 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].
Spring 2024 Spotlightschevron_right
Kim Lan Salas - Classified Professional, Learning Resource Center
Fall 2023 Spotlightschevron_right
Thuan Le - Student Assistant Technician, STAR TRIO
Spring 2022 Spotlightschevron_right
Kyung Ae Jun - Research & Planning Analyst, Office of Instituional Effectiveness
Fall 2021 Spotlightschevron_right
Rachel Schwarz - Administrative Assistant III, Exercise Science
Pahua Vang - Administrative Assistant IV, Student Success & Equity (SSE)
Rosa Mejia - Administrative Technician, Business Services
Suzy Murillo - Administrative Assistant III, Allied Health (School of Health Sciences & Public Serice)
Spring 2021 Spotlightschevron_right
Ikuko McAnally - Administrative Technician, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Grants Office
Alicia Lopez - Senior Student Services Assistant, Transfer, Career and Evaluations Office
Bobby Vang - Administrative Technician, Business Office Support
Carlos Pelayo - Instructional Lab Technician, College Technology Services
Mimi Vu - Senior Student Services Assistant, Student Health Services
Nancy Cortez - Research and Planning Analyst, Office of Institutional Effectiveness/Research
Anastasia Doan - Certified Athletic Trainer, Sports Medicine Department
Ana Fuentes - Gardener/Groundskeeper, Facilities Department
Hai Hoang - Research and Planning Analyst, Institutional Research
Johanna Aleman - Basic Needs Coordinator, Student Success and Equity: Basic Needs
Vanndaro Chhum - Student Services Technician, Outreach Office
Fall 2020 Spotlightschevron_right
Alexi Balaguer - Senior Student Services Assistant, AVANZA Center
Alison Mona - Senior Secretary, School of Health Sciences and Public Service
Aracely Bautista - Administrative Technician, Career Technical Education (CTE)
Shanelle Watkins Changotra - Student Services Assistant, Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS)
Skyler Dennon - Federal Work Study Coordinator, Financial Aid
Zoe Adler - Instructional Lab Technician, Learning Resources and Academic Support (LRAS)
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.
