If California were a sovereign nation, it would rank as the world’s fifth largest economy – just behind Japan and ahead of India.
As the largest economy in the U.S. (~$3.9 trillion gross state product), California has significant ambitions to educate its population and develop talent in its high-growth industries – including healthcare, green energy, and microelectronics.
Yet nearly half (48%) California’s high school graduates do not enroll in any college program within the first year of graduating. Further, as the second most diverse state in the US, California sees 55% of Black and Latino graduates enroll in college – compared to 68% of white students.
ASU in California: bolstering access and opportunity
That’s why ASU has been committed to the success and prosperity of California students by collaborating in creative ways with cities and local higher education systems. With seven colleges and schools well established at the ASU California Center, ASU has also been advancing access and opportunity with its ASU Local program.
ASU Local, which has locations nationwide, was launched by the executive vice president of ASU’s Learning Enterprise, Maria Anguiano, who saw a need for more flexible options for learners. Through ASU Local, ASU brings more than 160 of its top-ranked undergraduate degree programs to students in California.
The growth of ASU Local in California
The hybrid college experience for ASU Local launched initially in downtown Los Angeles in 2021 at the iconic Herald Examiner Building, combining online coursework with in-person programming in a highly supportive model with success coaches, career-oriented learning, internships and programming focused on student well-being.
With the success of ASU Local–Los Angeles, new possibilities emerged – specifically helping community college students pursue bachelor degrees. For example, while more than 2 million students attend one of 116 colleges in the California Community College system, only 2.5% transfer to four-year institutions within two years, with approximately 23% making the transition after four years.
In Fall 2023, ASU rose to the occasion by partnering with Long Beach City College to launch ASU Local–Long Beach. The first cohort of students have been able to seamlessly transition from their associate’s to bachelor’s degrees.
“My career goal is to work in non-profit hospitals, performing cardiovascular medicine,” said Gabe Leal, an ASU Local — Long Beach student pursuing a major in biological (biomedical) sciences, a minor in global health and a certificate in evolutionary medicine. “I chose ASU Local because I wanted to stay home and expand my college experience instead of being in a dorm room.”
Enter: ASU Local–Chula Vista for Southwestern College students
Like Long Beach, the San Diego economy is growing fast – and so is the demand for a highly educated workforce. Over the next ten years, the San Diego economy is expected to add 264,000 jobs, with 25,500 jobs projected in South San Diego County alone. Many of the priority roles most needed in the region typically require a bachelor’s degree, such as computer programming, nursing, and civil engineering.
Thanks to a new partnership between ASU, Southwestern College (SWC) and the City of Chula Vista, the latest ASU Local site is enabling SWC students to earn their bachelor’s degree in these critical fields from ASU. This new partnership will create additional educational opportunities for students to earn their four-year degrees from ASU, taught by world-class ASU faculty, without leaving their community.
As with all ASU Local sites, the program allows students the flexibility to access all coursework online 24/7. ASU Local is reimagining the way students experience college. Every student gets career development opportunities, ensuring they can apply their skills in real-world scenarios. ASU Local’s holistic approach also engages local organizations, families and industry partners to open doors and create opportunities for students, empowering them to thrive in all facets of their lives.
“ASU Local is making a bachelor’s degree more accessible to students in South San Diego County,” said Maria Anguiano, executive vice president of the Learning Enterprise at Arizona State University. “Our partnership with Southwestern College and the city of Chula Vista will enable students to earn an ASU degree while staying close to their family and friends in their local community. Students can choose from the most high-demand bachelor’s degree programs while receiving high-touch coaching with a tight-knit cohort of peers.”
A vibrant setting for learning in Chula Vista
The city of Chula Vista is at the center of one of the richest culturally, economically, and environmentally diverse zones in the United States. It is the second-largest city in San Diego County, with a population of nearly 280,000. A leader in conservation and renewable energy, Chula Vista has outstanding public schools and has been named one of the safest cities in the country. Established neighborhoods, contemporary communities, start-up firms, corporations, a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, and a historic downtown contribute to Chula Vista’s appeal for families and businesses.
Chula Vista, the 15th largest city in California, is on a mission to ensure there are access to more bachelor degree options that will enable students to learn the skills they need to succeed in high-demand jobs. This new partnership will expand degree opportunities to help residents to thrive in well-paying careers.
“For over three decades, the city has held a vision to bring a university to Chula Vista. Recently, we have celebrated critical milestones in our effort, including the groundbreaking of UniverCity. This announcement reinforces the city’s vision and illuminates the need we seek to address by bringing higher education opportunities to Chula Vista and the South Bay,” said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann.
Southwestern College is the sole public higher education institution in southern San Diego County, offering diverse academic programs and comprehensive student services, including online learning, to cater to students from all walks of life.
“South County has long been in need of more four-year opportunities,” said Roberto
Alcantar, president of the Southwestern College Governing Board. “Southwestern College is proud to partner with the city of Chula Vista, and we welcome Arizona State University to expand local access to higher education.”