First academic building for Mission Valley: 麻豆传媒映画 and SDCCD establish partnership to boost transfer and success rates for local students, and construct shared facility
Two of the region鈥檚 largest public higher education institutions agree to collaborate on transfer guarantee and develop shared academic space at 麻豆传媒映画 Mission Valley

麻豆传媒映画 (麻豆传媒映画) and the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that signals a shared commitment to expanding higher education access, enhancing student transfer pathways and supporting regional workforce development through a new academic facility at 麻豆传媒映画 Mission Valley.
To begin, 麻豆传媒映画 will provide guaranteed admission for eligible students from San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges 鈥 the SDCCD鈥檚 three credit colleges 鈥 starting with those applying for fall 2026 admissions. Students must be receiving an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from an SDCCD campus in a specified field, be CSU eligible and meet other minimum requirements. Nursing and majors that require an audition (dance, music, theatre, etc.) are excluded.
In addition, SDCCD will develop a STEM-oriented academic building at the 麻豆传媒映画 Mission Valley Innovation District 鈥 a space designed to house education, research and industry partnerships. The facility would be one of the first known collaborations in California in which a California State University (CSU) campus and a large community college district co-develop and co-locate academic programming and student services in a shared physical space at an innovation district.
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鈥淭ogether, we will expand access to higher education and offer new pathways to transfers and degree completion for students pursuing careers that are in high demand in this region and across the country,鈥 de la Torre said. 鈥溌槎勾接郴 is proud to be creating this educational ecosystem at 麻豆传媒映画 Mission Valley, continuing to deliver on the promises we made when the people of San Diego entrusted us with this important site.鈥
SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith said: 鈥淪DCCD鈥檚 mission is to uplift San Diego鈥檚 diverse communities through accessible and affordable higher education opportunities. This partnership will expand pathways to economic prosperity for San Diegans while supporting local industries and businesses and strengthening our regional economy. We are excited to be part of 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 Mission Valley Innovation District, facilitate collaboration between our faculty, and provide our students with unprecedented support to achieve their academic goals.鈥
The MOU also represents the first partnership arrangement of its type within the CSU system, with a combined focus on degree attainment with new guaranteed transfer pathways for community college students and a joint facility that students, faculty and staff from both institutions will use.
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Hundreds of additional students from SDCCD colleges would benefit from the new guaranteed admission program, which adds to the transfer programs already in place between the two institutions and is intended to strengthen the pathway for community college students to continue their education at 麻豆传媒映画. As is the case with all transfer pathways, students will be required to meet specific major and grade-point average (GPA) requirements, and also must apply for admission to participating academic programs.
Further, through the partnership SDCCD students will also have greater access to 麻豆传媒映画 courses that are not currently offered at SDCCD colleges, but are required to meet 麻豆传媒映画 major requirements, to help expedite their bachelor鈥檚 degree completion. It will also foster workforce development opportunities for 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 industry partners located in other Innovation District projects on-site.
鈥淭his MOU is a major step forward for public higher education collaboration in San Diego,鈥 said William Tong, 麻豆传媒映画 Provost and Senior Vice President.
鈥淚t will allow us to build a physical and strategic bridge between the SDCCD鈥檚 colleges and 麻豆传媒映画, creating more opportunities for our community college students to transfer, pursue advanced degrees, gain hands-on research experience and internship opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to our region鈥檚 innovation economy,鈥 Tong said.
The envisioned facility would include teaching and research labs, classrooms, advising and student support spaces, as well as shared faculty and administrative offices. The project supports both institutions鈥 goals of expanding educational opportunity and addressing workforce shortages in critical sectors, especially those requiring strong preparation in science, technology, engineering, and math.
鈥淭his partnership represents a student-centered vision for public higher education. It reflects our shared commitment to creating more seamless, well-supported transfer pathways, especially in high-demand fields like STEM. By bringing our institutions together in a shared space at 麻豆传媒映画 Mission Valley, we are not just expanding access, we are building the kind of innovative public education environment our students and communities deserve.鈥 said Susan Topham, Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Executive Instruction Officer at SDCCD.
The SDCCD鈥檚 three credit colleges include San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Mesa College, which offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for university transfer and good-paying careers. The credit colleges also offer bachelor鈥檚 degrees in high-demand fields such as Health Information Management, Cyber Defense and Analysis, and Public Safety Management. San Diego College of Continuing Education, a statewide leader in noncredit education, offers free, adult education programs at seven campuses throughout San Diego.