Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, which includes Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College, plays a bigger role in East County than many people realize.

✔️ Educating over 30,000 students each year
✔️ Providing premier educational pathways to careers and university transfer
✔️ Reaching nearly 4 out of 5 local residents at some point in their lives

These colleges aren’t just campuses — they are a foundation for workforce development, opportunity, and upward mobility in our community.

Learn more at https://www.gcccd.edu/about/bonds/index.php and follow along as we highlight what’s next for East County education.

Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College awarded over 6,230 degrees and certificates in 2026

On June 3 and 4, 2026, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges awarded more than 6,230 degrees and certificates to over 2,500 graduates. Nearly 1,000 graduates walked across the stage in the commencement ceremonies, cheered on by thousands of family members, friends, and supporters.
Read more: https://www.gcccd.edu/news/articles/2026/2026-06-08-6230degrees-and-certificates-awarded.php

Meet this year's Grossmont College commencement student speaker, James Jacob Magaña Sr.! 🎓🌎✨

A graduating Geography student, first-generation college student, father, tradesman, and environmental advocate, James has dedicated his educational journey to advocacy, collective responsibility, and uplifting historically underserved neighborhoods.

Raised in City Heights, James' passion for environmental sustainability, Indigenous stewardship, and community resilience has guided his work both inside and outside the classroom. Through internships, environmental restoration projects, and community leadership, he has focused on helping communities reconnect with the land and adapt to a changing world.

At Grossmont College, James found mentorship, belonging, and purpose while balancing his studies, career, and family responsibilities. This fall, he will transfer to San Diego State University to continue his studies in sustainability, with plans to pursue doctoral studies.

“True change is going to take work from all of us,” James said. “But globally, internationally, together, we can do this.”

James will deliver his speech at the 65th Annual Commencement Ceremony this Thursday, June 4 at San Diego State University.

Tomorrow!

Don't miss the final concert of the semester, Thursday, May 28, 2026, @ 7:30PM! Cuyamaca College Choir directed by Amanda Olea! Get your tickets and we'll see you here!

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

We pay tribute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country.

Grossmont College students Rania Shaker and Vondila Margo are gaining hands-on leadership experience in public service while helping fellow students discover internships, career opportunities, and community connections through their work with San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson.

Shaker, a business student who previously completed a data analytics engineering program through University of California, Berkeley, first connected with Supervisor Anderson’s office after attending a networking mixer at Grossmont College. After sharing her resume with employers at the event, she was encouraged to apply for the county internship program and was quickly hired. She later advanced into her current role as internship coordinator.

“The whole point of the internship program was that he creates job opportunities for students in San Diego, so they don’t have to look elsewhere,” Shaker said. “Supervisor Anderson really is an amazing leader that teaches us and empowers us from within.”

Margo, an administration of justice student transferring to San Diego State University, joined the internship program while still in high school after hearing a classroom presentation about the opportunity. She completed both legislative and executive internships before becoming a community outreach coordinator in the office.

For both students, balancing college with public service work has created opportunities to support their community, while Grossmont College has helped guide their journeys.

“I love that Grossmont College offers so many workshops and ways to help with transferring and navigating college,” Margo said. “If I need help, I know who to go to and where to find it.”

Shaker said Grossmont College faculty and staff also helped her grow as a leader and mentor by strengthening the communication and leadership skills she now uses while supporting interns.

“The knowledge I gained at Grossmont College and my professors has been invaluable,” Shaker said. “I wouldn’t be here without Grossmont College.”

Celebrating a Year of Student Trustee Leadership and Impact
Honoring the dedication, advocacy, and achievements of the District’s 2025–2026 Student Trustees

As the academic year draws to a close, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (the District) is recognizing the impactful advocacy of its 2025–2026 Student Trustees, Lu Tri “Vi” Huynh, Grossmont College, and Marcelia Villaseñor, Cuyamaca College. Serving from June 2025 through May 2026, both student trustees demonstrated a strong commitment to representing student voices at their respective colleges, but also at the regional and statewide levels, while advocating for initiatives that support access, inclusion, and student achievement.

Read More: https://www.gcccd.edu/news/articles/2026/2026-05-20-student-trustee-review.php