City College president announces new parent center, other updates during Fall 2023 Convocation

Ricky Shabazz shares ongoing City-related plans and improvements during the semester-opening event. Here’s what you need to know.

Luke Bradbury, Multimedia Journalist

August 31, 2023

Vice President of Administrative Services John Parker, left, embraces ASG President Diego Bethea, right, after receiving the Golden Pillar Award during the Fall 2023 Convocation at City College, August 17, 2023. The award recognizes outstanding administrators at City College. Photo courtesy of City Communications

San Diego City College President Ricky Shabazz announced a new parent center for students during the Fall 2023 Convocation on August 17.

It was one of many goals and initiatives announced at the event, which kicks off the new semester for City College faculty, staff, and other stakeholders in attendance.

The center, to be completed this fall, will offer child support for up to 12 students at a time and will remain open late into the evening as an expansion on the Basic Needs Center, Shabazz said.

“For those of us that are parents, we know that childcare is 24 hours,” the City president said during his presentation at the convocation.

A parent center isn’t the only way City College is increasing its support for student parents. Shabazz also announced a $100,000 investment into “reimagining” the library, with the goal of allowing student parents to bring their kids while they study.

“I want to go into the library and see a Starbucks kinda feel, a café kinda feel.” Shabazz said.

Associated Student Government President Diego Bethea also addressed the crowd at the event, inviting everyone to turn and greet the people around them.

“We talk about community, this is community right there. Everyday little interactions,” Bethea said.

Shabazz hopes to engage with a larger number of underrepresented students by opening up a barbershop and offering free haircuts once a month through the Basic Needs Center.

“Many of our Black, Latino, and men of color are not using our services. So we’re going to trick them,” Shabazz said.

Shabazz said that he spends $50 on his hair cut every week, and that the monthly haircuts provided by Basic Needs could expose the students to services available to them.

Additionally, Shabazz spoke of a desire to increase awareness of the financial aid form known as FAFSA among the student populace, going so far as to suggest extra credit for students who have submitted.

“We’re leaving a lot of revenue on the table,” Shabazz said, citing concerns over supplemental funding, something that could be helped with increased FAFSA submissions.

Shabazz also urged staff to donate $100 as a contribution to a student car giveaway to be held during commencement week.

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