SDSU Imperial Valley Launches New Offerings, Expanded Support Services

“The upgrades to academic and student affairs will enhance the quality of the learning experience for our students inside and outside of the classroom.”

Come Fall 2021, when students return to the San Diego State University Imperial Valley campus, they will be met the faces of new staff and faculty members, have the option to enroll in a greater variety of degree programs, and enjoy a campus that has undergone noticeable remodeling and refurbishment in anticipation of its expanding role in the Valley. After extensive pandemic-induced disinfection and cleaning, which will continue when classes resume in-person in the fall, the campus facilities, both in Calexico and Brawley, were repainted in the SDSU red-and-black color scheme.  

The expanded offerings and student support services follow three years of increased investment across the Imperial Valley campus.

“Over the last 12 months, amid the pandemic, SDSU Imperial Valley has been laying a foundation to better serve the needs of our students in our expanding role as the Valley’s only public, four-year university,” said Dean Gregorio A. Ponce. 

Among the changes coming to SDSU Imperial Valley this fall are:

• A new 4-year Liberal Studies B.A. degree for freshmen
• A new B.A. in Math degree for transfer students   
• The addition of a Masters in Homeland Security degree program for graduate students  
• Additional degree opportunities being offered in partnership with SDSU's Global Campus for working adult who need a flexible path to complete a B.S. degree in Business or a B.S. degree in Childhood Development    
• The hiring of four new tenure-track faculty members 
• The addition of five new full-time staff members to the Student Affairs team 
• The addition of the new administrative position of Assistant Director of Facilities Services 
• The hiring of a full-time Enrollment Services Coordinator

The dramatic additions of programs, service, staff and faculty are due in part to the continued commitment SDSU President Adela de la Torre and Dean Ponce have made to SDSU Imperial Valley to meet the Valley’s growing needs. 

Now, additional efforts are underway to further enhance the academic offerings at SDSU Imperial Valley and expand the services students receive. 

Associate Dean for Academics Mark Wheeler is enthusiastic about the four faculty positions being filled and the caliber of the candidates being considered. The positions are a full-time, tenure-track librarian, a criminal justice professor, an English and comparative literature professor specializing in ChicanX literature, and a public administration professor.  

The librarian, who will replace a position that was part-time in previous years, will be a tremendous asset for faculty and student research, according to Wheeler. 

“I look forward to the librarian collaborating with other librarians in the Valley to make SDSU Imperial Valley a repository of local media, data and material and to make it a real asset for the region,” said Wheeler.

Additionally, to assist students, Student Affairs is adding positions dedicated specifically to; financial aid; career and veteran services; academic advising, student retention; and Campus Assistance, Response Engagement and Support (CARES) advising. 

“Previously, our staff had to wear many hats,” Ponce said. “The new positions allow us, for the first time, to have staff focused on a full-time basis on priority student needs. These changes will really enhance the way we can serve our students.”  

“The additional support services will enhance the student experience and promote student health, well-being, engagement, leadership development and personal and professional growth helping students succeed at SDSU Imperial Valley and beyond,” said Interim Dean of Students Henry Villegas. “The upgrades to academic and student affairs will enhance the quality of the learning experience for our students inside and outside of the classroom.”