UNIVERSITY TASK FORCE

The City of Chula Vista today announced the members of the South County Higher Education Planning Task Force, a key milestone in advancing the vision for University District at Chula Vista (UDCV), a future-ready, multi-institution university model designed to expand access to higher education, strengthen workforce development and support long-term regional prosperity.

The Task Force was established through California State Assembly Bill 662, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez, (Chapter 700, Statutes of 2025) and will convene its first meeting on May 1, 2026, bringing together regional leaders, educators, workforce experts and community representatives to help shape a strategic path forward for higher education in San Diego's South County.

"Chula Vista is entering a defining decade of growth and opportunity," said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. "Developing a four-year university is essential to strengthening our role as the economic engine of the region and ensuring we are preparing a sustainable workforce to meet the demands of the future."

A City-led effort with regional impact

The City of Chula Vista is serving as the landowner, convener and long-term steward of UDCV working in partnership with higher education institutions, the State of California and regional stakeholders. While not an academic provider, the City's role is to ensure its public land is leveraged to expand access to high-quality education and create lasting economic opportunity for its residents.

Planned as a multi-institution, co-located campus, UDCV is designed to meet the needs of today's learners - both high school graduates and adult learners seeking career-aligned education - through flexible pathways, stackable credentials and hybrid learning models aligned with workforce demand.

"I was proud to author the legislation creating the South County Higher Education Planning Task Force, and with the appointment of all its members, we are now officially launching a collaborative effort to bring a long-overdue university to our region and expand opportunity for South County students," said Assemblymember David Alvarez.

Task Force role and deliverables

The South County Higher Education Planning Task Force will play a critical role in informing next steps. The Task Force will develop recommendations for a report to the California Legislature addressing:

• Governance options

• Funding strategies

• Land use and site readiness

• Legislative and regulatory considerations

Task Force recommendations are expected to be completed and submitted in 2027, providing the foundation for future funding and implementation decisions.

Building toward a four-year university in Chula Vista

UDCV builds on more than two decades of planning and a fully entitled 380+ acre site that is ready for phased development. Initial activation is expected to begin as early as fall 2026, with San Diego State University (SDSU) academic programming at the newly built Millenia Library, located near the future UDCV campus.

The City's primary goal is to identify and secure higher education partners to establish a four-year university presence in Chula Vista, with programs designed to support workforce needs across the region and the binational economy.

"For too long, South County students have had to leave their community to pursue a four-year degree. That is changing, and the leaders serving on this Task Force will work to create a future of increased opportunities right here in Chula Vista - where education, workforce development and regional growth come together to serve our community and the entire CaliBaja global economy," said State Senator Steve Padilla.

Advancing equity, workforce opportunity and regional growth

The University District initiative is rooted in several key drivers:

• Equity: Expanding access to higher education for South County residents who face barriers to relocation and transportation

• Workforce development: Aligning education with regional industry needs and supporting long-term economic growth

• Regional impact: Strengthening opportunities across South County and the broader CaliBaja region

• Binational opportunity: Leveraging proximity to one of the world's busiest land border crossings

The Task Force brings together a diverse group of leaders representing higher education, local government and the community. The full Task Force membership is listed below.

South County Higher Education Planning Task Force Membership

California State University Chancellor appointee

• Dr. William "Bill" Tong, Provost and Senior Vice President, San Diego State University

• Alternate: Dr. Sonja Pruitt-Lord, Vice Provost

California Community Colleges Chancellor appointees

• Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President, Southwestern Community College District

• Dr. Zaneta Encarnacion, Chief of Staff, Southwestern Community College District

University of California President appointees

• Dr. John C. Moore, Dean of Undergraduate Education, University of California at San Diego

• Dr. Olivia A. Graeve, Elias Masry Endowed Professor in Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California at San Diego; Chair emerita, University of California at San Diego, Divisional Academic Senate

City of Chula Vista appointee

• Tiffany Allen, City Manager

Sweetwater Union High School District appointees

• Dr. Moises Aguirre, Superintendent

• Alternate: Dr. Vernon Moore, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Equity and Support Services

Chula Vista Public member appointees

• Gala Ledezma, Senior Research Analyst, California State University System Office, Ph.D. Graduate Student, University of California at Irvine.

• Dr. Valita Jones, Director, Office of Diversity & Community Partnerships, University of California at San Diego

• Dr. Adrian Arancibia, Professor of English & Chicano Studies, San Diego Community College District and Board Trustee, Sweetwater Union High School District

California State Assembly Speaker appointee

• Clarissa Falcon, Principal Owner and Consultant, Falcon Strategies

• David Malcolm, President, Cal West Apartments, Inc.*

*Assembly confirmation in process.

California Senate President pro Tempore appointees

• Maria Anguiano, Entrepreneur in Residence, College Futures Foundation

• Virginia Guerra, Navy Commander, Equal Employment Specialist

The Task Force is supported by the City of Chula Vista and the State of California and is led by Marlene L. Garcia, senior advisor and lead facilitator of the Task Force.

With 14 full members, a Task Force chair will be selected by a majority vote at the first Task Force meeting. Details for the Task Force meeting schedule are below.

Meeting #1 - Friday, May 1, 2026
10 am to 12:30 pm at Chula Vista City Council Chambers

Meeting #2 - Friday, August 28, 2026

Meeting #3 - Friday, November 13, 2026

Meeting #4 - Friday, February 12, 2027

The May 1 Task Force meeting convenes shortly after the City Council on April 14 approved a 10-year lease with SDSU to establish a new location in Chula Vista for its hybrid nursing program. University classes will begin as early as fall 2026 at the Millenia Library, marking the first academic offering aligned with the University District vision and demonstrating activation of the City-owned site through the multi-institution, workforce-focused model that will continue to be expanded. This partnership with SDSU reflects growing momentum for four-year degree pathways in South County to directly address regional workforce needs.

Learn more

Visit www.UniversityDistrictCV.com for updates, resources and opportunities for community engagement.

About the City of Chula Vista

The City of Chula Vista is the second-largest municipality in San Diego County and one of the region's fastest-growing communities, with a population exceeding 280,000. Situated along the San Diego Bay, Chula Vista spans more than 50 square miles of coastal landscape, rolling hills, high-quality parks, and an extensive network of trails. Located less than 10 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, the City is recognized for its diverse neighborhoods, robust economy, and strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Consistently ranked among the nation's safest cities, Chula Vista is home to a dynamic bayfront development anchored by the West Coast's largest resort, the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center. The City also hosts a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site, a historic downtown district, established neighborhoods, and modern master-planned communities-all contributing to its appeal as a destination for families, businesses, and visitors.

Through strategic planning and collaborative partnerships, Chula Vista continues to serve as a regional leader in infrastructure investment, education, sustainability and workforce development. As the landowner and convener for University District at Chula Vista, the City is advancing long-term efforts to expand access to higher education and career pathways in South County.

For more information, visit www.chulavistaca.gov or follow @thinkchulavista.