By Jeanette Sanchez
January 3, 2026, is the deadline for community members to apply to join the historic South County Higher Education Task Force, established under AB 662, also known as the Chula Vista University Act. The Task Force will bring together the City of Chula Vista, Sweetwater Union High School District, Southwestern College, San Diego State University, UC San Diego, and other stakeholders to evaluate governance models, funding mechanisms, and statutory changes needed to create a four-year public university in South San Diego County.
This effort is part of the University-Innovation District, a nearly 30-year vision to build a higher education and innovation ecosystem on over 553 acres in eastern Chula Vista, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
he district will integrate academic institutions with commercial, residential, and research spaces in a mixed-use urban environment, providing up to 4 million square feet of academic space for 20,000 students and 6,000 faculty, 2 million square feet of innovation uses supporting 8,000 jobs, and more than 1.6 million square feet for student and faculty housing.
The University Now Initiative (UNI), a partnership between the city and Southwestern College with legislative support, aims to identify priority academic programs to strengthen higher education in the region.
Phase one is already under construction: the Millenia Library, a 168,000-square-foot Class “A” office building, is scheduled for completion in Summer 2026.
The city is accepting applications from South County residents or individuals with vested interest in the area, including education leaders, business and innovation representatives, and students. More information chulavistaca.gov