Grant expands collaboration in health and human services workforce development
SDSU, CSU San Marcos and county health officials are partners in an expansion of the Live Well Center for Innovation and Leadership, increasing classroom-to-career opportunities for students and alumni.
San Diego State University will play a central role in a new regional effort to strengthen the health and human services workforce, following the County of San Diego’s acceptance of a $900,000 grant to expand an academic–practice partnership with the County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA).
For SDSU’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), the investment directly supports the goals outlined in its 2025–28 Strategic Plan: leading community impact, advancing innovative practices, developing students for compelling careers, and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
At the heart of the grant is the Live Well Center for Innovation and Leadership, which serves as the region’s academic health and human services department. Building a diverse, competent and engaged health and human services workforce across San Diego County is one of its top priorities. By uniting county and college leaders, faculty, students, and community partners around shared workforce goals, LWCIL is supporting students, alumni, and other professionals to be prepared and inspired to enter and advance in the health and human services field.
The new funding will expand LWCIL’s capacity to coordinate these efforts across SDSU and California State University San Marcos, ensuring regional workforce needs align with academic programs, employer-informed training and equitable practice-based opportunities for students.
“The opportunity from increased regional collaboration and impact is immense," said Nicole Magnuson, LWCIL director. “Collectively, we will work to better coordinate regional health and human services workforce development efforts, create more opportunities for students, alumni and other professionals, and advocate for the field overall.”
At SDSU, the College of Health and Human Services enrolls roughly 5,000 students across six schools, and the grant will strengthen one of the college’s signature commitments: preparing health and human services professionals who can serve the region’s diverse communities. Through the new funding, students will gain increased access to career-connected internships and applied learning experiences and further extend their access to interprofessional education opportunities that reflect the collaborative reality of modern health care and social service systems.
The new funding will also support a continuation of the CHHS and HHSA co-hosted Health and Human Services Careers Week at SDSU, planned for April 2026. During this week, students, alumni and other professionals have access to workshops, a career fair and a “Meet the People” networking event. These experiences not only enrich academic training but also open clearer, more supported pathways into high-demand careers in nursing, social work, public health, speech and hearing sciences, physical therapy, and exercise and nutritional sciences.
The grant will also support a regional workforce report and digital dashboard that brings together the latest labor data, employer projections and ongoing trends across San Diego County’s 18 cities, tribal communities and unincorporated areas. This will enable market-informed decision-making, strengthen advocacy efforts and allow CHHS faculty and partners to align curriculum and field training with regional needs.
By strengthening the infrastructure that connects K-16 education and workforce development, this investment reinforces CHHS as a driving force in preparing the next generation of health and human services professionals. “We are excited to extend our shared commitment to public service, grow a strong health workforce, and further our collaborations across our region,” said Amy Bonomi, CHHS Dean.
