APPLICATIONS FOR HIGHER ED

For nearly three decades, the City of Chula Vista has worked toward advancing its vision for a transformative University Innovation District (UID) on over 383 acres of City-owned land in eastern Chula Vista. In continued support of this effort, the City is now accepting applications from community members interested in serving as public representatives on the newly established South County Higher Education Task Force, formed under Assembly Bill (AB) 662.

Authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez, AB 662 brings together key regional stakeholders, including the City of Chula Vista, Southwestern College, Sweetwater Union High School District, the University of California, California State University, and others, to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a public four-year university in Chula Vista. The Task Force will explore governance models, funding mechanisms, and statutory changes needed to advance the project.

"Creating a world-class public university in South County has been a shared community vision for more than three decades, and I was proud to author Assembly Bill 662 to ensure that this effort moves forward with focus and urgency," said Assemblymember Alvarez. "The South County Higher Education Task Force will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of higher education in our region, and I strongly encourage qualified and committed community members to apply to serve. Your expertise and voices are essential as we work together to expand educational access, strengthen our binational economy, and deliver the university that South County students and families have long deserved. I look forward to partnering with the City of Chula Vista and all Task Force members as we take this transformative step forward."

"The South County Higher Education Task Force is an important step toward expanding access to higher education in our city," said Mayor John McCann. "Through this state partnership, we will bring together educational leaders, public agencies and community voices to identify requirements, strategies and pathways necessary to advance the University Innovation District."

"For far too long, South County students have had to leave their community to pursue a public four-year degree," said Councilmember Michael Inzunza. "This initiative has the potential to transform educational access, strengthen our local economy, and create a university presence that reflects the diversity, talent, and binational character of Chula Vista and the region."

Applicants are required to reside, work or have a vested interest in the South San Diego County region. Applications from individuals representing diverse perspectives, including business and innovation leaders, higher education staff or faculty, students, and community advocates, are welcomed. Public members will be selected through a public application and interview process conducted by the Chula Vista City Council.

The Task Force is expected to meet at least four times and will be supported by technical consultants. It is required to submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the California Legislature by July 1, 2027.

Applications can be submitted at https://www.chulavistaca.gov/university.

The deadline to apply is January 9, 2026.

About University Innovation District

Since 1993, the City of Chula Vista has pursued a strategic, long-term vision to develop a University Innovation District (UID) on nearly 400 acres of City-owned land to serve Chula Vista and South San Diego County.

The University Innovation District envisions a binational, multi-institutional university campus offering four-year degrees and establishing a business environment within the District that embraces the technology and/or higher education sectors to serve as a talent pipeline for the University(ies).

Adopted in 2018, the UID planning documents and entitlements provide the ability to accommodate up to 20,000 students with an innovation district that will include approximately 10 million square feet of mixed-use development, 4.4 million square feet of academic space, 2 million square feet of commercial space for business innovation uses and 3.6 million square feet available for development of market rate and student/faculty housing.