Lease agreement signed: SDSU, Chula Vista preparing for new nursing program, regional partnership
The signing of a new agreement between SDSU and the City of Chula Vista marks a significant step toward expanding access to higher education in the South Bay, and building toward the long-term vision of a four-year university in the region.
In the South Bay, access to higher education is often measured in miles and minutes. San Diego State University and the City of Chula Vista are taking steps to close that distance — now, with a signed agreement and academic plan launching this fall.
Higher education leaders, elected officials, faculty, staff and community members joined on May 1 for a special signing ceremony, celebrating an expanding regional partnership that aims to make college more accessible for students, more manageable for families and more responsive to workforce demand.
“Today feels different, and I think you can feel that. This is not just another announcement. This is the result of years of vision, persistence and a shared belief that the South Bay deserves more,” SDSU President Adela de la Torre said during the signing ceremony at the City of Chula Vista.
“For many South Bay students, going to a university isn’t just about getting admitted. It’s about whether they can manage the commute, whether they can balance work and family and whether the program is close enough to make it all possible,” de la Torre said. “We are making it possible.”
The signing ceremony comes the month after the City of Chula Vista approved the 10-year lease allowing SDSU to offer programs at the new Millenia Library. The university plans to launch an accelerated second bachelor’s degree in nursing at the site, with its first cohort expected in the new academic year.
“We are turning our vision of a four-year university in Chula Vista into reality through our partnership with San Diego State University at the Millenia Library,” said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. “This marks the starting line of an incredible journey as we collaborate with current and future partners to expand access to higher education in Chula Vista and South County. It will open new opportunities for our community, building a strong and sustainable workforce, and strengthening our regional economy.”
Speaking at a convening of the newly formed South Bay Higher Education Task Force ahead of the signing ceremony, SDSU Provost William G. Tong emphasized the importance of coordinated regional efforts and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to building a stronger presence in the community.
“Efforts like this truly matter. They bring together institutions, school districts and community partners around a shared vision for the South Bay, and they create the space for the kind of coordination and long-term thinking that benefits students and families,” Tong said. “We know that access is strongest when education is close to home, aligned with workforce needs, and built in partnership with local institutions.”
The task force was established through legislation led by Assemblymember David Alvarez, who has focused on expanding higher education opportunities in the South Bay region. Following the task force group’s meeting, de la Torre and McCann signed the partnership agreement alongside Alvarez. Both McCann and Alvarez are graduates of SDSU.
“I was proud to help secure nearly $3 million in state funding to support the establishment of SDSU’s School of Nursing and SDSU Global Campus programs in Chula Vista, expanding access to four-year degree opportunities for South Bay students,” Alvarez said.
“At a time when our region faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, this investment in local nursing education will help prepare the next generation of providers while strengthening both our workforce and our community’s health,” Alvarez added.
“This is another step toward our effort of a university education in Chula Vista. I commend San Diego State University and the City of Chula Vista for their leadership and partnership in advancing this long-standing vision, and I look forward to continuing to grow this partnership—expanding university degrees and laying the foundation for a more robust university presence in Chula Vista.”
The Chula Vista initiative reflects both regional collaboration and a focus on student opportunity, with a goal to enroll 50 students for the nursing program as part of the first cohort studying at Chula Vista’s new Millenia Library location.
SDSU’s hybrid nursing program will combine online coursework with in-person labs and clinical placements across San Diego County, helping prepare students to enter one of the region’s most in-demand professions.
Beyond the new nursing program, SDSU is continuing to build out partnerships across the region. The university recently launched a psychology program at Southwestern College and is expanding transfer pathways through long-standing collaborations with local school districts.
Tong pointed to the Compact for Success partnership with Sweetwater Union High School District as a key example of that partnership, noting steady growth in student admissions in recent years. More than 1,500 South Bay students were admitted to SDSU for the 2026-27 academic year.
SDSU is also working with the San Diego Community College District on plans for a new shared facility at SDSU Mission Valley, designed to support seamless transfer and joint learning opportunities.
“These efforts demonstrate what can be accomplished through collective action,” de la Torre said. “All of these efforts, including what we are building in Chula Vista, reinforce our commitment to expanding access to higher education and ensuring that where a student lives does not determine their opportunity.”
