SAN DIEGO - Classes began Monday for tens of thousands of community college students around San Diego County, and some carried around guitars.
Around 50,000 students will begin studies at San Diego City, Mesa and Miramar colleges and the Continuing Education campus.
At City College, the second class in a Manufacturing Engineering Technology program involved the design and construction of custom-made guitars.
College officials said the program is aimed at helping students become skilled manufacturing engineering technicians.
"We're really excited about these guitar-building classes, as they provide yet another way for us to differentiate City College as a forward- thinking and innovative institution," said interim President Denise Whisenhunt. "No other STEM classes end up in a jam session."
Mesa College plans to dedicate a new student commons building next month, while Miramar College will offer certificates for emergency medical technicians, and graphics and visual productions.
The fall semester will also begin for Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges in the East County, MiraCosta and Palomar colleges in the North County, and Southwestern College in Chula Vista.
