SDSU Imperial Valley campus gets a whole new makeover

New look, degree offerings, faculty and student-support

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - San Diego State University (SDSU) Imperial Valley campus announced Friday that come Fall 2021, students will be met with 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. 

"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," declared Dean Gregorio A. Ponce. 

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. 

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.

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.  

"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," expressed Wheeler.

Additionally, 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," Dean Ponce continued. "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."