The City of Chula Vista, Assemblymember Alvarez, and partnering institutions are committed to creating a University-Innovation District to meet the high demand for a quality, accessible higher education within the City and across the State and to address inequities in higher education that are prevalent in communities of color.
For more than thirty years, Chula Vista has been dedicated to the University-Innovation District: a multi-institutional, bi-national consortium of universities, building a new city within a city, on nearly 400 acres of City-owned and entitled land.
With a steadfast commitment to fostering local higher education opportunities, the Chula Vista University Initiative is transforming Chula Vista's economic landscape and creating a hub for academic excellence and workforce development.
San Diego's economic forecast predicts an impressive surge in job opportunities, particularly in South County, with over 25,000 jobs expected to be added within the next decade. Recognizing the need to equip residents with the skills and knowledge to thrive in this evolving economy, the University Now Initiative is making strides to establish a four-year university in Chula Vista, a dream decades in the making.
California has more eligible students for admission to the state's public universities than those campuses have space for.
Deficit of 1 million bachelor's degree holders by 2030 and deficit of 1.5 million skilled workers by 2025
32,000 eligible freshmen and transfer applicants were denied admission to their preferred CSU campus due to capacity issues
Chula Vista is the only city in CA with a population over 200k that does not have a four-year nonprofit or state university. Chula Vista is 60% Hispanic, 40% of Southwestern College students transfer to SDSU
Increasing access to higher education and physical attendance is linked to better health, employment and economic outcomes.
Building upon years of planning and strategic land acquisition efforts, the initiative reached a significant milestone with the reservation of 380 acres for a University Innovation District. This visionary move secures the foundation for a transformative educational ecosystem, poised to shape the future of Chula Vista and beyond.
On September 25, 2023, the city celebrated the groundbreaking of the first phase of the University-Innovation District, marking the beginning of the UniverCity at Chula Vista. This groundbreaking event symbolized the commencement of a groundbreaking journey towards educational excellence and economic prosperity. The inaugural phase includes the construction of a state-of-the-art 168,000 square foot office building in the vibrant Millenia neighborhood.
We invite you to be part of history in the making. Whether you're an academic institution, an industry leader, or a member of the community, your input is appreciated!