Promises Made, Promises Delivered

‘It’s a powerful reminder that progress, real, visible, and lasting, is finally here. In short, we’re talking about a promise delivered.” — College of the Desert Superintendent/President Val Martinez

PALM SPRINGS — After 20 longsuffering years, College of the Desert Superintendent/President Val Matinez Garcia spoke with stunning conviction when he told the City Council on Wednesday that the $405 million Palm Springs Campus will soon be going vertical. The capital investment is single largest investment in higher education infrastructure in the West Valley.

Once built, it will become a year-round economic engine that will directly support the city’s strategic goals in education and workforce development and economic growth, Martinez said. “Most important, it will be an investment in students, families, and local businesses, and the long-term economic growth of the valley, an investment in our collective future.”

After starts and stops, lawsuits and leadership changes at College of the Desert, the Palm Springs Campus is becoming a reality, Martinez Garcia told Councilors.

“So, looking ahead, we’ll be sharing more details very soon about a long-awaited milestone going vertical. A Going Vertical Ceremony is planned for later this year. After more than two decades of visioning, planning, and perseverance, this moment will mark the shift from groundwork to skyline, when steel begins to rise and the communities can finally see what has long been believed can transform this community. It’s a powerful reminder that progress, real, visible, and lasting, is finally here. In short, we’re talking about a promise delivered.”

We encourage everyone to follow our progress online at College of the Desert website, through the city’s engaged Palm Springs portal, and through the periodic community updates and site visits, Martinez Garcia said. “We encourage everyone to drive by and get a nice view of what’s going on there. “The campus at Palm Springs is a long-term commitment to education, economic opportunity, and community impact. We are energized by the progress in our evolving partnership with the city to build a campus like no other in this city like no other.”

At full operation, this campus will support more than 3,000 students, faculty and staff on site, Scott Adkins, director of Educational Centers for the West Valley, said. This alignment ensures our efforts multiply one another, making the Palm Springs campus not just a college site, but a regional workforce innovation center and destination for experimental industry connected learning, Adkins said. Our new campus has been designated to support the future work of creativity and community needs. The core academic offerings are hospitality and tourism, digital media, film and technology, including an AI hub, culinary arts, allied health and healthcare, architecture and sustainable design.

Students will be able to start and finish a variety of degrees and certificates in these areas. We are also launching a university center to bring bachelor’s and advanced degrees to the West Valley through partnerships with four-year institutions, Adkins said. This would start with a bachelor’s degree in architecture offered with our partner, Cal Poly Pomona.

“And we’re now accessing the feasibility of launching the nation’s first casino management degree at a community college. A consultant is guiding our proposal through the Chancellor’s Office,” Adkins said. “Pending feasibility, we will be back to you with more information and partnership opportunities.

In addition to COD’s signature programs, the Palm Springs campus will offer a full slate of general education courses including English, lab sciences, psychology, sociology, art and kinesthesiology, ensuring students can complete their associate’s degrees for transfer seamlessly to a four-year university. These general education classes are the foundation for degree completion and transfer pathways, giving West Valley students convenient access to the core requirements needed for graduation and continued education.

Both Area 2 Trustee Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton and Area 3 Trustee and Vice Chair Ron Oden attended the presentation.