Taking flight with Measure HH

A message from Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson

Each Measure HH project starts with a clear purpose: creating spaces that support students today while preparing them for tomorrow. This month, that work quite literally takes flight. 

At Miramar College, the planned Aviation Instructional Center represents a meaningful investment in both facilities and future opportunities. The project will replace an existing, outdated 75-year-old facility with a larger, modernized space designed to support today’s dynamic aviation training demands. 

With advanced technology, instructional equipment including a flight simulator, and flexible learning environments, the facility will offer students more opportunities for hands-on experience in a growing, high-demand field. An aviation talent forecast indicates the country will need nearly 1.5 million new civil aviation professionals over the next 10 years, including 416,000 aircraft maintenance technicians – a need Miramar College can help fill, as the region’s only FAA-approved aviation maintenance school. 

Just as importantly, it reflects the alignment of our facilities and curriculum with the evolving needs of our regional workforce. 

As highlighted in this issue, Miramar’s aviation program continues to grow, including plans to offer air traffic control training - an opportunity available at only a limited number of institutions in California. Building on a strong foundation in aviation operations and maintenance, this next step expands students' career pathways (more shared below). 

These are not off-the-shelf programs. They require thoughtful planning and specialized environments where students train with industry-relevant tools, technology, and equipment. Measure HH supports the delivery of facilities needed for this level of instruction. 

That impact reaches well beyond our campuses. A recent analysis found that the San Diego Community College District contributes more than $5 billion each year to the regional economy - an important reminder that investments in education, workforce training, and facilities, such as those funded by Measure HH, benefit the entire community. 

This work depends on strong partnerships between our colleges, workforce education teams, and the construction professionals delivering these projects. From early planning through construction, that collaboration helps ensure each space is built to support both teaching and learning. 

As Measure HH projects continue to move forward, our focus remains on building facilities that support what comes next. The Aviation Instructional Center is one example of how design and construction come together to expand opportunities and help students move toward their goals. 

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

Sincerely,

Joel L. A. Peterson, PhD, MBA, MA

Vice Chancellor & Executive Operations Officer

San Diego Community College District

CITY COLLEGE

'A' Building Expansion Programming Celebration

As the programming phase wraps up for the 'A' Building Expansion, the project is now transitioning into schematic design, marking an important phase change from planning into design development. Joel Peterson, executive operations officer, reflects on this milestone and how faculty and staff input has helped shape a project focused on improving the student experience and strengthening campus connection.

MESA COLLEGE

Seeing the full flight path

The Mesa Performing Arts, Administration Center, and Parking Structure project is taking shape with help from a perspective that is not always visible from the ground. Throughout planning and preconstruction, drone and aerial imagery have helped project teams better understand the site, coordinate logistics, and communicate progress across campus stakeholders. 

With nearly 50 feet of grade change between the lower parking level and the mesa above, the site presents unique design and construction challenges. Drone technology has enabled teams to capture aerial imagery, topographic scans, and point cloud data, providing a detailed understanding of existing conditions early in the process. 

“Really, a project like this doesn’t start with a shovel - it starts with understanding the site and existing conditions,” said Patrick Goforth, design manager for PCL Construction. “Drone technology lets us see the full scope of what we’re working with and view the site from every angle.” 

The aerial perspective also reveals relationships that can be difficult to fully understand during traditional site walks, including how construction boundaries interact with surrounding infrastructure, pedestrian circulation, utility corridors, and neighboring campus facilities. 

“A ground-level visit shows you the details,” Goforth said. “Altitude helps you understand how every decision on the site affects the people and systems around it.” 

For the design team, drone imagery has also improved how early concepts are visualized and communicated. 

“Having access to high-resolution aerial imagery allows us to place design concepts within the actual campus environment instead of relying on generalized renderings,” said Christina Delgado, architect and project manager with HGA Architects. 

The imagery has also become a valuable communication tool for campus leadership and project stakeholders.  

“By overlaying project information directly onto aerial views of the campus, teams can more clearly explain construction sequencing, access impacts, and how the future facility will integrate into the surrounding environment,” Delgado added. 

MIRAMAR COLLEGE

Where careers take off

Miramar College's aviation maintenance program is one of only two in the California community college system, and the students coming out of it are going straight into remarkable careers. With industry-recognized credentials and hands-on training that employers are looking for, many graduates step directly into high-paying careers the moment they complete the program.



We spoke with President Wesley Lundburg, Aviation Department Chair Max Moore, and students from the program to hear what makes it so special. From classroom instruction to hands-on training in the hangar, it is a program deeply committed to student success. Through Measure HH, we are making sure the facilities match the caliber of the education happening inside them. 

COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

Where engineering meets the sky

Every great project needs someone who can see the bigger picture. At the Educational Cultural Complex Theatre Renovation, that perspective comes to life through Gabi Icheva, project engineer with PCL Construction, whose work includes piloting the drone that captures progress as the transformation unfolds. 

Her role reflects how the project is steadily moving from early stages into visible transformation, with each phase of work revealing more of what is taking shape on site. 

Vice Chancellor Peterson presents to CE student leaders

Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson joined the Associated Students of the College of Continuing Education (ASCCE) at the Harbor View Campus to share updates on Measure HH and the bond-funded improvements taking shape across Continuing Education campuses. The conversation offered a direct look at current projects, their purpose, and how they are designed to support student success. 

ASCCE brought their usual level of engagement and curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and connecting the work back to their own campus experience. Moments like these reflect how the Measure HH journey is gaining altitude through ongoing dialogue, shared understanding, and active student involvement. 

COMPLETED PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Miramar College - Tree well trip hazard abatement

At Miramar College, the main pedestrian corridor in front of Buildings N and M – one of the campus’s busiest drop-off and arrival areas – has been restored through Measure HH as a capital repair project. 

What appears today as a simple walkway is the result of detailed work beneath the surface. Over time, tree roots had pushed up the existing brick walkway, creating uneven surfaces and potential trip hazards for students and visitors moving through the area each day. 

To restore the pathway, crews removed the raised brickwork, carefully shaved and ground back intrusive tree roots, and installed new pavers designed to create a smoother, safer, and more durable walking surface while preserving the character of the space. 

The finished result blends seamlessly into the campus environment while improving accessibility, safety, and the daily experience along one of Miramar College’s most heavily traveled pedestrian routes. 

Mesa College - Baseball field safety improvement

The Mesa College Baseball Field safety improvement project is now complete through Measure HH, delivering a major upgrade to player and spectator safety. 

Nearly 300 feet of new fencing with reinforced posts, top rails, and 28-foot protective netting has been installed to help contain stray balls and improve overall field functionality. The result is a safer, more secure environment that supports Mesa College student athletes as they train, compete, and return to play. 

City College Learning Resource Center - Emergency call boxes

New emergency call boxes installed near the LRC provide accessible emergency communication and support ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security across the City College campus. 

The College of Continuing Education - ECC dual swing door operator

Installation of a new dual-swing automatic door operator at the Educational Cultural Complex is improving ADA accessibility and pedestrian flow during ongoing theater construction detours. 

ALPHABET SOUP

From planning to construction, Measure HH comes with a lot of terminology. Each month, we highlight one term you're likely to see or hear along the way. See more terms and definitions in our Measure HH & Capital Projects Glossary!

Programming Workshop

Focused meetings held early in a project to define space needs, adjacencies, and functional requirements. 

ICYMI (In case you missed it)

Did you miss a past issue or want to go back and re-read an article? Here are links to some past issues:

>> February

>> March

>> April

MEASURE HH PROJECT PROFILES

Would you like to learn more about each project taking place across the San Diego Community College District? Explore the list of profiles for detailed insights on all projects.

CONNECT WITH US

With construction underway and major projects in procurement, Measure HH is transforming facilities that serve nearly 90,000 students annually while demonstrating exemplary fiscal stewardship. Future e-news updates will provide additional details on all bond-related activities.

If you are interested in learning more about Measure HH and would like to schedule a presentation for your departmental team or a community organization, or have ideas for future stories, please email us at SDCCDMeasureHH@sdccd.edu.