SDSU and community colleges partner on Mission Valley building

Driving the news: The institutions signed an agreement Thursday that expands access to four-year degrees for hundreds of students and supports workforce development through the new facility.

• Eligible students from San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges earning associate degrees in specific majors will be guaranteed admission to SDSU starting for the fall 2026 semester. SDCCD students will also be able to take more SDSU courses.
• The community college district will continue its growth by constructing the five-story academic center with classrooms, labs and offices for faculty, staff and students from both institutions.

Zoom in: This is the first partnership of its kind within the CSU system, according to SDSU, and is aimed at supporting students pursuing high-demand careers.

Between the lines: Most California community college students never make it to a four-year university as they struggle to navigate the complicated transfer process.

• Yes, but: Local community colleges have higher-than-average transfer rates, and transfer students account for nearly 40% of SDSU's incoming class each year.
• The new guaranteed admission program expands on existing SDSU and Cal State University programs aimed at boosting those numbers.