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UC San Diego outlines pilot Chula Vista programs as step toward broader regional 'University Now' goals
Summary
UC San Diego presented a four‑year pilot to offer a BS in public health and professional certificates at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, aiming to expand access without building a new UC campus. The plan includes student supports, a small initial cohort and partnerships with local stakeholders.
UC San Diego told the Assembly subcommittee it will pilot programs in Chula Vista in partnership with Southwestern College to expand access to a UC education in South San Diego County without building a full new UC campus.
Chancellor Khosla and Dean John Moore described the plan required by the 2024–25 supplemental report (SB 108). The proposal would launch a 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Public Health taught by UC San Diego faculty at Southwestern’s University Center, with an initial cohort of roughly 30 students growing over the pilot’s four years. UC would place dedicated advising, tutoring and wellness staff at Southwestern and provide disability services, financial aid counseling and career supports to ease transfer and retention.
UC also proposed short professional certificate programs through UC San Diego Extension in market‑driven subjects (health care, business and education) that could be launched with about nine months’ lead time.
UC Office of the President provost Catherine Newman told the committee the system is pursuing a range of intersegmental strategies to serve regions without nearby UC campuses, including transferable online UC courses, SAPEP outreach programs, transfer pathways and pilots that prioritize transfers from colleges with lower UC transfer rates. The Chula Vista pilot fits the system’s larger goal of increasing regional access while managing capacity without building entirely new UC campuses.
Members praised the intersegmental work and encouraged continued coordination with Southwestern College, local officials and CSU and community college partners. The committee will monitor pilot progress and consider potential funding and statutory support as part of ongoing higher‑education planning.
