San Diego City College (SDCC) recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Established in 1914, City College was the first community college in San Diego (San Diego Junior College) with 34 students and 4 instructors. Fast forward to 2015, SDCC now boasts over 16,000 students and more than 1,200 faculty and staff.  While the number of students, staff and faculty has grown over the years, so has their dedication to supporting positive change on campus.

SDCC became the first higher education institution to receive a Live Well San Diego designation for its commitment to supporting the health and wellness of its student body. Through many collaborative efforts, SDCC is changing the campus culture to increase health and wellness. Students and staff came together in November 2013 to start the “Step Up to Live Well” campaign – a wellness program celebrating the many sets of stairs on campus – that focuses on fitness, nutrition and behavioral health. The program also includes a one-mile walking path, healthy menu options, and promotion of behavioral health through education and resources.

Adding to campaign efforts, the Live Well City College Committee developed a calendar of monthly themes such as healthy hearts in February and disease prevention in October. The committee has also started a monthly Step Up to Live Well newsletter for students and staff.

Faculty and staff have embraced wellness efforts, leading by example and encouraging their students to participate in wellness activities and make positive changes in their lives.

“We soon realized that to really develop sustainability and to change our campus culture from within, we needed to focus on our faculty and staff since they are here consistently over long periods of time while students cycle through,” said Veronica Ortega, professor at SDCC. “Our faculty and staff serve as role models and set the cultural expectation of health and wellness.”

Students and staff are being recognized for their work together in creating a healthy campus. SDCC earned the League of Innovation award for its “Step Up to Live Well” wellness program. Watch their nomination video here.

Going forward, the Step Up to Live Well at City College Committee plans to promote a healthy environment by developing menu option signage and giving nutrition presentations. The food manager is also featuring events where students and staff can sample the growing number of healthy menu items.

SDCC plans to continue to engage the campus community in creating a healthy community that is safe for individuals and promotes a thriving environment through awareness and empowerment.

SDCC would like to encourage the community to join them at their Health and Wellness Fair on April 14, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event will include more than 50 vendors for health, mental health, behavioral health, environmental health and safety. Yoga, dance, self-defense, bike safety and bike riding information, safe driving tips and other demonstrations will also be provided.  There will be free parking on campus.  Also visit the campus on April 16, 2015 for its 2^nd Annual Community House Day to explore and tour the campus.