NEWS
Jennifer N. Kearns: jennifer.kearns@gcccd.edu
November 19, 2025
District Board of Trustees presents Mejgan Afshan, co-founder of Borderlands for Equity, with Community Leadership Award
EL CAJON, CA – On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Governing Board of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District awarded Grossmont College alumna Mejgan Afshan, co-founder of Borderlands for Equity, with the first Governing Board Community Leadership Award.
The Board established the Community Leadership Award to formally recognize an outstanding community member whose involvement and dedication have contributed to the well-being and advancement of our region. The award honors an individual who exemplifies a commitment to civic engagement, demonstrates inspiring leadership, and who plays a vital role in strengthening our community.
“As a distinguished alumna of Grossmont College and co-founder of Borderlands for Equity, Ms. Afshan is a tireless civil rights advocate,” stated Board President Debbie Justeson. “Her profound commitment to social justice has created a lasting, positive impact throughout East County and beyond. Ms. Afshan embodies the values of service and leadership to advance social justice and economic mobility, reflecting the mission of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.”
The daughter of refugees from Kabul, Afghanistan, Ms. Afshan has spent more than 20 years of serving the community, including representing and advocating for Muslims, refugees, undocumented, Latinx, LGBTQIA+ and trans, black and brown, Palestinian/Arab, and Shia individuals who continue to be targeted within our region. She has made it her mission to fight for, and center, the voices of the most marginalized community members to ensure equity at all levels in the community.
“Educating our communities on their human rights is critical for any true growth and change to happen,” stated Mejgan Afshan, when presented with the award. “I’m so proud, thankful, and appreciative of our growing, diverse, and inclusive partnership with the District, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, local educators, and labor unions, along with faith and community partners that continue to make our community more welcoming and safer. We’re all better because of committing ourselves to a more equitable and inclusive community.”
During her career, Ms. Afshan has worked with a variety of influential national and regional leaders and organizations, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the San Diego County Democratic Party, the Barona Tribal Government, the California Democratic Party, and the International Rescue Committee of San Diego.
About the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
As the largest institution of higher education in East County, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, has enhanced the quality of life in East County for over 65 years by providing top notch, affordable education and workforce training. The District includes communities such as El Cajon, Santee, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, San Diego, and the unincorporated County. Our institutions offer a variety of convenient online and in-person classes, along with competitive degree and certificate programs. The District, which includes Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College, serves over 29,000 students annually, and awards over 6,000 degrees and certificates each year. The colleges are consistently ranked as top transfer institutions to SDSU. Grossmont College first convened classes in 1961 and serves approximately 19,000 students every year. Cuyamaca College was built in 1978, and enrolls nearly 10,000 students yearly. The colleges lead the way in developing educational programs, classes, and services that meet the diverse needs of East County's student population. Learn more at www.gcccd.edu
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