When Angel René walked across the stage at San Diego Mesa College in spring 2025, he celebrated far more than academic achievement. He celebrated the emergence of identity, resilience, and authentic self-belief. Born in Long Beach and raised between Orange County and the Inland Empire, Angel’s journey to Mesa was far from traditional. After being forced out of his home and church at age 18 for being gay, Angel endured over five years of housing instability, emotional trauma, and personal upheaval. “I tried staying in college,” he said, “but it was too difficult to balance academics with figuring out how to survive.” 

The San Diego Mesa College Athletic Program has cemented its place as one of the nation’s premier two-year college athletic programs, finishing second in the 2024–2025 Ron Case Cup standings. The award, one of the highest honors in two-year college athletics, recognizes excellence in championship competition across all sports.

When Melissa Chavez walks across the stage at San Diego Mesa College on Friday, May 30, 2025, she’ll be celebrating more than just a degree in Culinary Arts. She’ll be celebrating a journey of growth, resilience, and newfound purpose made possible by the power of community college support.

I was born in Munich, Germany, but moved to California right before I turned a year old; so unfortunately, I do not speak German. I lived in San Jose until I was eight, then I moved to San Diego, where I have been for the latter half of my life.

San Diego, CA – The students of San Diego Mesa College’s Fashion program are thrilled to present the 44th Annual Golden Scissors Fashion Show, a highly anticipated, student-led event that showcases the creativity and talent of the next generation of fashion professionals. The show will take place on May 16, 2025, at San Diego Mesa College, welcoming students, faculty, industry professionals, and the local community to experience this extraordinary evening of fashion.

SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego Mesa College will celebrate the grand opening of its newly developed CommUnity Spaces—student-centered support and affinity spaces designed to enhance engagement, learning, and a sense of belonging on campus—on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Room I4-202.

San Diego Mesa College is proud to announce that Lucio Lira, Counselor Coordinator at the Pride Center, has been selected to receive the 2025 Dr. Emilie Mitchell Rainbow Excellence Award. This prestigious recognition, presented by the California Community Colleges, honors leaders who are making significant strides in creating inclusive, healing, and empowering environments for LGBTQIA+ students.

San Diego April 1, 2025—San Diego Mesa College announced today that it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly ® School designation.