About Us

Connecting industry with career education programs and students

Regional Consortium for Workforce Development

The San Diego & Imperial Regional Consortium (SDI RC) for Workforce Development is a collective of ten community colleges serving the two counties along California’s southern border. The governance framework of the SDI RC offers an inclusive platform for all colleges to actively engage in and derive benefits from its endeavors. Financial support for the SDI RC is provided by the California Community Colleges’ Chancellor’s Office, aimed at bolstering career education within the region.

Guiding the way in regional career education and workforce development initiatives, the SDI RC establishes a crucial bridge between industries, career education programs, and students. Utilizing an equity-centered approach, the SDI RC collaboratively engages with industry stakeholders, educators across K12, adult education, noncredit, community college, and 4-year institutions, as well as community partners. These collaborations serve to enhance student support, foster the growth of a well-trained workforce, and align with the demands of the local ecosystem.

The goals of the SDI RC encompass:

  • Building college capacity to create systemic change which closes equity gaps
  • Unifying the workforce ecosystem
  • Advocating for changes to policy, processes, and practices

The SDI RC stands as a proactive force in regional career education and workforce development, uniting industries, educational institutions, and communities to foster an inclusive, skilled, and adaptable workforce.

Vision

Transforming the way educators, industry, and community partners equitably advance economic mobility

Mission

The San Diego & Imperial Counties Regional Consortium is comprised of 10-member Community Colleges, and is committed to providing leadership and guidance on regional career education initiatives that serve its members and stakeholders. Driven by an equity framework, the Consortium collaborates with educators, industry, and community partners to support students, develop and sustain a skilled workforce, and align to the needs of the regional ecosystem.

Values

ADAPTIVE

Readily adjust our focus and efforts to address workforce needs and new initiatives

FEARLESS

Boldly and respectfully take action to address challenges and barriers that impede CTE student success

INTERDEPENDENT

Recognize and leverage the connectiveness of all of the partners of the workforce ecosystem

REFLECTIVE

Regularly review, assess, and evaluate projects, goals, and outcomes for continuous improvement

TRANSPARENT

Commit to accountability, honesty, and openness with workforce ecosystem partners 

SUSTAINABLE JUSTICE

Engage in work that promotes the long-term well-being of people, the colleges, the community, the environment, and society as a whole

Contacts

Dummy Item
Danene Brown, Ph.D.

Regional Chair

619-644-7815
danene.brown@gcccd.edu

Stephanie Bradley

Program Specialist

619-644-7868
stephanie.bradley@gcccd.edu

Connie Lafuente

Director of Regional Health Initiatives

619-644-7647
connie.lafuente@gcccd.edu

Kevin McMackin, Ed.D.

Director, Strategic Partnership

619-644-7657
kevin.mcmackin@gcccd.edu

Joseph Stark

Director, Apprenticeships

310-908-3910 
joseph.stark@gcccd.edu

Leslie Wisdom

K14 Technical Assistance Provider (TAP)

619-644-7354
leslie.wisdom@gcccd.edu

Monica Rosas, Lead

Cuyamaca College

619-721-4787
monica.rosas@gcccd.edu

Jenni Preciado

Apprenticeship

619-887-0951
jennifer.preciado@gcccd.edu

Rachel Sanchez

Health Initiatives

619-249-1112
rachel_sanchez@gcccd.edu

Miguel Gutierrez

Imperial Valley College

760-559-1212
miguel.gutierrez@gcccd.edu

Lynn Bigsby

MiraCosta College

858-414-5198
lynn.bigsby@gcccd.edu

Angela Tilley-Ruiz

Palomar College

619-920-2369
angela.tilley@gcccd.edu

Karen Overklift

San Diego City College

619-318-4327
karen.overklift@gcccd.edu

Erica Olmos

San Diego Mesa College

619-277-2656
erica.olmos@gcccd.edu

Lance Grob

San Diego Miramar College

206-889-9921
lance.grob@gcccd.edu

Vanessa Barron

Southwestern College

619-370-7229
vanessa.barron@gcccd.edu

Sally Cox

CEO

858-603-9810
sally.cox@gcccd.edu

Sue Fisher

Contracts Analyst

619-644-7095
sue.fisher@gcccd.edu

Tina Ngo Bartel, Ed.D.

Director

760-795-6889
tngobartel@miracosta.edu

Robert Chu

Project Manager

760-757-2121 x 1370
rchu@miracosta.edu

John Edwards

Labor Market Research Lead

760-757-2121 x 6484
jedwards@miracosta.edu

Regional Institutional Research Lead

760-757-2121 x 2192

Regional Priorities

Career Pathways:

Postsecondary engagement that includes equitable outreach to prospective students, educational acceleration options, and alignment of K-14 curriculum

Data & Research:

Regional workforce research and technical expertise to inform, guide, and support program decision making and resource development

Employer Engagement:

Foster and strengthen relationships with employers and other regional partners to align programs with employer needs, and identify opportunities to enrich career and work-based learning, and job opportunities and activities

Equity:

Intentional and race-conscious focus on projects that provide all community college students with access and support to complete to high quality CTE programs and educational opportunities that lead to economic and social mobility

Marketing:

Develop and implement regional and local marketing strategies to improve the awareness and perception of career education programs

Career & Pathway Navigation:

Differentiated and inclusive practices that aim to facilitate onboarding and career decision-making

Value to Our Community

We create the space and capacity to guide successful Career Education programs and initiatives.

We remove barriers and make it efficient and rewarding for students to achieve their goals.

We create the talent conditions which enhance employer success.

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