A key element in the partnership focuses on developing an SDCCD Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program-oriented academic building at SDSU’s Mission Valley campus near Snapdragon Stadium. The two institutions also finalized guaranteed admission for eligible SDCCD students in certain fields with the first transfer students benefiting from this partnership enrolling at SDSU this fall.
Expanding access and boosting STEM admission rates are seen as critical to producing more graduates for high-demand fields across the region. A shared STEM education center at SDSU’s Mission Valley Innovation District would provide SDCCD students with expanded access to university labs, on-site academic and career advising, and expanded networking opportunities.
After meeting with SDSU this spring, SDCCD’s facilities team has defined general parameters for the education center, and the District in May issued a request for proposals/qualifications to solicit prospective design and construction firms. This step does not commit SDCCD to any financial obligation.
The focus on STEM reflects a key challenge: many SDSU STEM prerequisite courses lack an SDCCD equivalent, forcing STEM transfer students to complete additional semesters after they transfer. Clear, four-year pathways provide SDCCD students with a defined road map to a bachelor’s degree from when they first enroll at City, Mesa, or Miramar college.
Just 63% of SDCCD STEM majors seeking to transfer are currently accepted to SDSU, compared with 82% of students in a non-STEM field, according to District data.
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