The Riverside County Board of Supervisors slated $5.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, for the advancement of higher education programs at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Temecula Valley Campus. Led by Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington, this funding will support programs that foster educational attainment and economic stability in Southwest Riverside County – benefiting residents today and well into the future.
“By partnering with CSUSM, we are ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for County residents,” said Board Chair Chuck Washington, Third District. “Investing in higher education is crucial for the future of our community. I encourage those interested in pursuing higher education to consider Riverside County as a place to grow their careers and contribute to our vibrant region.”
The ARPA funds will expand educational programs in nursing, hospitality, early childhood education, software engineering and business management. Several of these industries sustained deep negative impacts during the pandemic – especially the nursing, tourism, and early childhood education sectors. This funding is designed to reinvigorate the local workforce, meet skilled workforce demands and support degree attainment within the community.
Addressing the nursing shortage in California, CSUSM's nursing programs will benefit from upgraded technology and equipment, facilitating accelerated training for future nurses. Partnering with Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC), early childhood development programs aim to meet the demand for early childhood educators, ensuring quality education for young children in support of working families. Introducing an accelerated bachelor's degree in software engineering, CSUSM will collaborate with local high schools and MSJC to prepare students ready to meet the growing demand for tech professionals. Advancing programs in business administration and hospitality management will help support a robust travel, tourism and healthcare industry.
“I’m so grateful to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Chuck Washington, the city of Temecula and Mt. San Jacinto College for this partnership in support of CSUSM’s Temecula Valley campus,” said CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt. “As a leader in social mobility, CSUSM is proud to have more than 20% of our students from Southwest Riverside County with 8 out of 10 graduates staying in the region. This expansion builds a critical workforce to serve the community’s needs.”
ARPA funding is one-time federal aid to accelerate recovery from the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These one-time dollars have been used to enhance infrastructure and create long-lasting change through economic growth. This funding with CSUSM is an investment for the Riverside County community that will benefit residents for years to come.
More information on the county’s disbursement of ARPA fund is available here.