Portside Community Academy Graduates Two Cohorts Including First All-Spanish Class

Community Encouraged to Sign Up Now for Upcoming Academies

The Portside Community Academy marked an important milestone this year with the graduation of its first-ever all-Spanish language cohort. The Academy hosted two graduating classes in the fall of 2024, one in English and one in Spanish, which culminated in a joint graduation ceremony during a boat tour of San Diego Bay. The Academy is now accepting applications for its spring 2025 English and Spanish cohorts. Classes will begin in January and include a bus and boat tour of Port of San Diego maritime operations.

The award-winning Portside Community Academy is an educational program aimed at building deeper connections between the Port of San Diego and our portside communities where the public is given a unique opportunity to explore innovations in the maritime industry that are helping improve human health and quality of life on and around San Diego Bay.

"I am incredibly proud of our new Portside Community Academy graduates, especially as we celebrate the first ever all-Spanish cohort," said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. "Not only are these graduates learning about the important work at the Port of San Diego to reduce pollution and improve air quality around the bay, but they are also becoming important community ambassadors. I encourage all community members to jump at the chance to join next year's academies."

Following its launch in 2023, the Academy has graduated nearly 100 participants from its structured educational program. Designed for adult community members, this five-session program was developed by Port subject-matter experts. The curriculum explores the Port's clean air and electrification projects, focusing on impacts to human health, quality of life, and technological advancements in the maritime industry. It includes a bus tour of the Port's marine terminals and a narrated boat tour of San Diego Bay as well.

This educational program is designed with topics of special interest to residents of portside communities, which encompass parts of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights and National City, along with communities in Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, and San Diego. The Portside Community Academy is a pioneering cross-departmental effort, representing the Port's dedication to becoming a "Port of Firsts." It aligns with the Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) and efforts to be an early adopter of zero-emissions technologies for ships, cranes, tugboats, and trucks, while also addressing the specific needs and concerns of environmental justice communities, including community education.

Participants receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity to be recognized at a Board of Port Commissioners meeting.

For more information and to sign up on the interest list for the Portside Community Academy, please visit portofsandiego.org/academy.