College of the Desert outlines Roadrunner Motors campus in Cathedral City, aims to open instruction in 2027

College of the Desert officials on Tuesday described plans for Roadrunner Motors, an automotive education facility in Cathedral City, saying the project is on schedule and expected to support local dealerships and technicians.

Scott Aggins, director of Education Centers for the West Valley at College of the Desert, told the City Council the facility will include general and specialized classrooms, a teaching laboratory with lifts, vehicle parking for instructional use, electric vehicle charging and a compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station. "Roadrunner Motors enhances that identity, positioning Cathedral City as the home of the valley's future workforce in automotive and mobility industries," Aggins said.

The presentation emphasized workforce development and industry partnerships. College of the Desert leaders said the facility will anchor a pipeline from high schools through certificate and associate-degree programs into local dealers and repair shops. "We are creating different partnerships throughout," said Dr. Jessica Enders, interim dean of Applied Science and Business, referring to existing relationships with local dealerships and SunLine transit. The college is hiring a director of apprenticeships and an employment engagement manager to link students to internships and jobs.

Council members asked about costs, timing and program scope. Aggins said the project team has front‑loaded material purchases and completed infrastructure work to limit exposure to rising prices, adding, "we're still on budget" and that the schedule targets classes in 2027 after construction completes late next year. Officials described a balanced approach to procurement and storage of larger components to avoid inflation-driven overruns.

Program details discussed include a two‑year associate degree pathway in automotive technology and industry certifications for graduates. Aggins and Enders said the curriculum will cover engine diagnostics, electronic systems and hybrid/electric vehicle technology, and noted the program will maintain advisory committees with area employers to align training to industry needs. The college also said some curriculum threads address smaller electric vehicles such as golf carts, though that topic is embedded within broader coursework rather than a standalone certification.

Council members and staff noted the facility's potential to attract students and employers and to strengthen Cathedral City's role in the Coachella Valley economy. No formal action was requested or taken at the study session; College of the Desert staff said they were available to continue coordination with the city on partnerships and workforce placement.

Plans described in the presentation include internship and apprenticeship commitments from local dealers and a focus on dual and concurrent enrollment with valley high schools to build earlier pathways into the program.

Roadrunner Motors is presented as a multi‑year collaboration between College of the Desert and Cathedral City; college representatives said construction progress is visible on site and that enrollment and employer engagement work will intensify as opening approaches.