Seasoned for a New Era: President Jeffery Faces Hurdles with Optimism

Renée Bartlett-Webber | News Editor

Santa Monica College (SMC) Superintendent/President Katheryn E. Jeffery poses during an interview in the SMC District Office, Santa Monica, Calif. on Sept. 15, 2023. (Danniel Sumarkho | The Corsair)

With a budget deficit and low enrollment SMC President Dr. Kathryn E.  Jeffery expresses the layers of emotion as this unique academic year unfolds.

In her office at 2714 Pico Blvd., Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery reflects on the last few years of hardships and accomplishments as she kicks off her eighth academic year at Santa Monica College. Students, staff, faculty and administration return to on-ground classes for the first full semester since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency amidst budgetary constraints. “This is an unprecedented time in the life of higher education – This is an unprecedented time in the world,” she said. 

 Jeffery has led three colleges as president and has been a counselor, administrator and leader. “I’ve been doing this for 50 years – I shouldn’t say that – but I’ve been in this business for a long time and I still get jazzed about it.” She originally studied piano and voice, “but I never had the personality to be on stage, but as a counselor, you have to be a good listener,” she said. “I took great pride in making sure I gave students accurate information based on what they shared with me about their goals and aspirations.”

As more students return to in-person classes, Jeffery expresses delight at the energy on campus. “I’m ecstatic that we have more people on-ground this fall,” she said. “It’s the kind of thing you don’t even know you miss that much until you come back together.” Last semester was the first full in-person graduation since the pandemic and more students have continued to come on campus this semester. “I know we’ll just continue to grow.”

 Despite the renewed influx of students attending classes in-person, only 55% of students have returned to face-to-face classes this semester, compared to 80% before the pandemic began. Jeffery says she hopes to increase this percentage but doesn’t expect to reach the same 80/20 split. “I want to make sure that we have a good balance of courses on ground and online … because if we offer more things on ground, but students don't enroll in the classes, then we have to pull the classes.” 

 Challenges filling classes is a new reality in many community colleges in California. During the pandemic, SMC saw a 16% decrease in enrollment, which followed the statewide trend. The college has recovered 3.32% of students this year, according to Jeffery. To continue this trajectory, the administration plans to strengthen the dual enrollment program, build partnerships with new high schools and increase awareness of career training opportunities.

 A glaring obstacle facing SMC this year is a large budget deficit. The 2022-2023 academic year ended with an almost $10 million deficit as illustrated in this year’s proposed budget. As a result, the Board of Trustees has taken 10 actions to reduce budgets including cuts to class offerings, supplies, employee overtime and hiring freezes. “It does create a financial hardship on the college to offer classes with low numbers of enrollment,” Jeffery said. Classes will be added back to the schedule based on student demand, she added. There were an additional 322 teaching hours (4%) added to the schedule this fall semester.

 Despite class cuts, there are still new curricula on the horizon. SMC’s second baccalaureate offering in cloud computing could be available as early as the spring. It awaits two more approvals to ensure there are no conflicts with existing Bachelor degree programs at four-year universities. Additionally, “Aquacultural Revolution” is a new program coming soon that is intended to open opportunities in sustainability and ocean-related careers.

 Community colleges are the most affordable and accessible higher education institutions in the country, making them the top choice for many low-income students. With Santa Monica’s median gross rent at $2,055, the question of student housing has been a long-standing concern. In 2021, the Higher Education Student Housing Grant was established to help fund developments for districts with a demonstrated need. SMC has applied and qualified, but there has been more demand than funds available. “We might have to look at different ways to try to fund it if the state is unable to include us in their next rounds of applications,” Jeffery said. SMC does, however, offer a food security program to all enrolled students. The “Bodega” food pantry offers fresh produce, meats, canned food, clothing and even supplies for infants.

 “[Community college] is the most accessible education in the world and I’m glad to be part of it.” Jeffery said. “I hope that everyone who comes to SMC, that we’re able to make a huge difference for them. For the better.”