Community colleges: baccalaureate degree program: Southwestern Community College District.

Assembly Member Alvarez's proposal to authorize baccalaureate degrees at Southwestern Community College District (SWC) aims to address a significant educational gap in South San Diego County, where over 585,000 residents currently lack access to a public university offering four-year degrees. The legislation would enable SWC to develop a limited number of baccalaureate programs focused on meeting documented regional workforce needs.

Labor market analyses conducted by the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center have identified 147 priority occupations requiring bachelor's degrees in fields such as business, healthcare, technology, and the arts. Regional projections anticipate 25,000 new jobs by 2033, with most requiring four-year degrees. The bill requires that any new SWC baccalaureate programs target these specific workforce demands while avoiding duplication of existing programs at other public institutions in the region.

The legislation mandates collaboration between SWC and other regional public colleges and universities when developing new degree programs. This coordination requirement aims to ensure programs address verified gaps in current educational offerings. The bill also notes the region's binational character, with substantial cross-border movement for work and education between California and Mexico, as a factor in program development considerations.

This proposal builds upon California's existing community college baccalaureate framework, which allows the Board of Governors to authorize four-year degrees at community colleges in consultation with the California State University and University of California systems. The bill represents initial authorizing legislation, with subsequent measures planned to implement specific degree programs and related provisions.