Southwestern College opens ‘hub’ of innovation, education

Southwestern College marked a major milestone this month with the grand opening of its new Instructional & Discovery Complex, a $106 million investment designed to expand access to higher education, strengthen workforce development, and bring university-level programs directly to South County residents.

Funded by Measure Z and totaling more than 113,000 square feet, the IDC represents a bold step forward in the college’s mission to create student-centered spaces for teaching, research, and collaboration. The complex houses modern lecture classrooms, advanced labs, a new planetarium, and a University Center where several four-year institutions will offer bachelor’s degree programs starting in 2026.

“This new facility is more than just a building—it’s a hub where education, innovation, and partnerships come together to transform lives,” said Dr. Mark Sanchez, Southwestern College superintendent/president. “Our students work, care for their families, and go to school, so they deserve state-of-the-art facilities and access to bachelor’s degrees right here in their community.”

The IDC brings together several academic programs and departments under one roof, including the School of Business, the School of Education, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the ESL and World Languages Departments. Among its standout features are a Cybersecurity Lab designed to prepare students for the digital workforce, a Computer Information Systems Lab, an American Sign Language Lab promoting cultural understanding, and a Language Acquisition Center supporting multilingual learning.

“The complex provides more classrooms, labs, and offices to meet our growing demand,” said Silvia Cornejo, interim assistant superintendent/vice president of academic affairs. “Each classroom supports all instructional modalities, including HyFlex, which allows students to participate either in person or remotely, ensuring flexible, student-centered learning for our diverse community.”

One of the IDC’s most distinctive additions is its 35-foot diameter planetarium, featuring 72 seats and immersive projection technology.

While primarily serving astronomy students, the planetarium will also welcome field trips from local K–12 schools and host community events related to major astronomical phenomena. “We hope it becomes a place of inspiration and discovery for everyone in the region,” said Silvia Nadalet, dean of the School of Math, Science, and Engineering.

At the heart of the IDC is the University Center, a first for any community college in the region. Through partnerships formed under the University Now Initiative—with support from the city of Chula Vista and Assemblymember David Alvarez, Southwestern College will offer pathways to Bachelor’s degrees without students needing to leave South County.

Starting in 2026, Cal State San Marcos will offer programs in Business Administration, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science, with additional degrees in Bilingual Speech Language Pathology and Human Development following in 2027.

UC San Diego will launch a Public Health program; San Diego State University will introduce Industrial/Organizational Psychology; and Point Loma Nazarene University is already offering degrees in Child Development, Nursing, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice. Arizona State University and National University will also provide online and hybrid degree options.

“Southwestern College is the only community college in the region with a University Center,” said Chief of Staff Zaneta Encarnacion. “It’s also the only place where UC San Diego will deliver academic programming outside its La Jolla campus.”

The IDC will also play a critical role in workforce development, bridging education and industry. “This complex redefines workforce training in South County,” said Jonathan Kropp, director of workforce development. “It connects students to real-world learning experiences in fields like cybersecurity, business, accounting, social services, and early childhood education—areas that drive our regional economy.”

Southwestern expects the complex to serve approximately 6,800 students annually, with capacity comparable to the college’s Math, Science, and Engineering building. Over time, success will be measured through student outcomes, instructional innovation, and community engagement.

Encarnacion said she hopes community members who visit the IDC for the first time walk away with a sense of pride. “This facility shows that South County and Southwestern College are a college-ready community. It’s about building the future together, right here at home.