Connie Renda, MA, RHIA, CHDA, Program Director and Assistant Professor for Health Information Technology and Management, was recognized by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) with the prestigious Leadership Award.
We are excited to share the members of Generation Hope's California Presidents Circle, the first in a new national initiative designed to equip higher education executives with tools, data, and peer support to truly champion parenting students and their families.
Women’s volleyball at Mesa College is on a spike. In the spring, the Olympians won the state beach volleyball title after winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title for a fourth straight year.
July 17, 2025
Two of the region’s largest public higher education institutions agree to collaborate on transfer guarantee and develop shared academic space at SDSU Mission Valley.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 17, 2025) – San Diego State University (SDSU) 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 SDSU Mission Valley.
To begin, SDSU will provide guaranteed admission for eligible students from San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges – the SDCCD’s three credit colleges – 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 SDSU Mission Valley Innovation District – 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.
“This MOU reflects SDSU’s and SDCCD’s shared commitment to transforming higher education
in ways that directly benefit our region’s students, workforce and economy,” said
SDSU President Adela de la Torre. Both SDSU and SDCCD already significantly contribute to educating the San Diego
region’s population and each generates billions of dollars in regional economic activity
annually.
“Together, 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,” de la Torre said. “SDSU is proud to be creating this educational ecosystem at SDSU Mission Valley, continuing to deliver on the promises we made when the people of San Diego entrusted us with this important site.”
SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith said: “SDCCD’s mission is to uplift San Diego’s 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 SDSU’s Mission Valley Innovation District, facilitate collaboration between our faculty, and provide our students with unprecedented support to achieve their academic goals.”
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.
This project complements SDSU’s existing plans with Lincoln Property Company (LPC), which was selected in 2023 to lead the first Innovation District project at SDSU Mission Valley. The partnership with LPC marked a major step in expanding educational and workforce opportunities, and includes 315,000 square feet of research and innovation space across three buildings, along with a business incubator, workforce development opportunities and parking structures.
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 SDSU. 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 SDSU courses that are not currently offered at SDCCD colleges, but are required to meet SDSU major requirements, to help expedite their bachelor’s degree completion. It will also foster workforce development opportunities for SDSU’s industry partners located in other Innovation District projects on-site.
“This MOU is a major step forward for public higher education collaboration in San Diego,” said William Tong, SDSU Provost and Senior Vice President.
“It will allow us to build a physical and strategic bridge between the SDCCD’s colleges and SDSU, 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’s innovation economy,” 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’ goals of expanding educational opportunity and addressing workforce shortages in critical sectors, especially those requiring strong preparation in science, technology, engineering, and math.
“This 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 SDSU Mission Valley, we are not just expanding access, we are building the kind of innovative public education environment our students and communities deserve.” said Susan Topham, Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Executive Instruction Officer at SDCCD.
The SDCCD’s 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’s 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.
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About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a major public research institution and an R1 university, as designated by Carnegie. SDSU provides transformative experiences for its more than 39,000 students. SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 95 areas, master’s degrees in 88 fields and 29 doctoral programs, with additional certificates and programs at regional microsites. SDSU ranks as the number 1 California State University in federal research support, as one of the top public research universities in California. In addition to academic offerings at SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley and SDSU Georgia, SDSU Global Campus offers online training, certificates and degrees in areas of study designed to meet the needs of students everywhere. Students participate in transformational research, international experiences, sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, internships and mentoring, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. SDSU is committed to inclusive excellence and is known for its efforts in advancing diversity and inclusion. SDSU is nationally recognized for its study abroad initiatives, veterans’ programs and support of LGBTQA+ students, as well as its powerhouse Division I Athletics Program. More than 50% of SDSU’s undergraduate and graduate students are students of color. The university resides on Kumeyaay land and was most recently recognized as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SDSU is also a long-standing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The university’s rich campus life and location offer opportunities for students to lead and engage with the creative and performing arts, career and internship opportunities with SDSU’s more than 500,000 living alumni, and the vibrant cultural life of the greater San Diego and U.S.-Mexico region.
About the San Diego Community College District
As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 90,000 students annually through its four colleges. San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for university transfer and good-paying careers. The credit colleges also offer bachelor’s 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.
Editor's note: Images from today's announcement are available upon request.
Photo Credit: SDCCD Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs
Anabell Pulido
Director of Communications
[email protected]
(619) 388-2759
For Jeremiah Palomino, leadership is not about titles but about creating belonging. Now serving as Associated Student Government president at San Diego Mesa College and as a student trustee for the San Diego Community College District, he uses this personal philosophy and a heart for people to serve his community.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 17, 2025) – San Diego State University (SDSU) 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 SDSU Mission Valley.
The San Diego Community College District has appointed four new student trustees for the upcoming academic year. Dalia Ramirez (San Diego City College), Zora Williams (San Diego Mesa College), Hailey Hua (San Diego Miramar College), and Haydee Zuniga (San Diego College of Continuing Education), will be sworn in during the June 20 SDCCD Board of Trustees meeting.
