A Bright Future for Higher Education in South County: AB 662 Passes Assembly with Unanimous Support
A major milestone has been reached in the journey to bring a public university to Chula Vista. Assemblymember David Alvarez proudly announced that Assembly Bill 662 — the Chula Vista University Act — passed unanimously out of the California State Assembly with strong bipartisan support.
AB 662 creates the South County Higher Education Task Force, a dynamic group of leaders from local higher education institutions, the City of Chula Vista, and other key stakeholders. Their mission is clear: evaluate the pathways, funding, and legislative tools needed to establish a transformative university in the heart of Chula Vista.
“For too long, the absence of a nearby four-year public institution has limited opportunities for families in South San Diego County,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “This bill marks a pivotal step toward a more inclusive, localized, and visionary future for education in the South Bay.”
Chula Vista — the second-largest city in San Diego County and the largest in California without a public university — is home to more than 250,000 residents. It sits within a broader region of nearly 600,000 people living in what is often called a “college desert.”
That is changing. The City of Chula Vista has already committed over 383 acres of city-owned land for its ambitious University Innovation District. The vision? A vibrant, multi-institutional educational and innovation hub, partnering with the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges to streamline pathways and support workforce development.
Mayor John McCann praised the progress: “We are grateful to Assemblymember Alvarez and the Assembly Higher Education Committee for supporting our vision to bring higher education opportunities to the region.”
Southwestern College Superintendent Dr. Mark Sanchez echoed the excitement: “AB 662 is a vital step in expanding access and creating training opportunities that support regional growth.”
With AB 662 advancing to the State Senate, hope is high and momentum is strong. South County is on the cusp of a historic transformation—one that promises opportunity, equity, and a brighter future for generations to come.
The Sweetwater Valley Civic Association looks forward to these opportunities to better our community’s future and to seeing this vision realized in the coming years.
Click below to learn more and view the press release pdf.