Cuesta College
will host Sierra Nevada College’s bachelor’s degree program starting Fall 2019. Cuesta College graduates can pursue bachelor’s degrees* in Psychology, Global Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, or General Studies through traditional classroom instruction on Cuesta’s San Luis Obispo campus.
“It is fantastic to welcome Sierra Nevada College to the Cuesta College SLO campus,” says Dr. Jill Stearns, Cuesta College Superintendent / President. “Our partnership launches tremendous opportunity for Cuesta College graduates, and local associate degree holders, who are ready to take the next step on their educational journey.”
Economic changes in the U.S. have created a surge of “non-traditional” students (NPR, 2016). Almost half of those enrolled in higher education in 2016 were such students. Many students today have intricate ties to their communities, making a transfer to another institution difficult if not out of reach entirely. Adding to this is the impacted state of the California State University and University of California systems.
The extension center model addresses this shortage, offering face-to-face courses and local student support without asking students to leave California or even the community where they already live. Sierra Nevada College brings its commitment to instruction delivered by professor- practitioners, small class sizes, and flexible schedules into the extension program. Dr. Mark Atkinson, Vice President for Academic Extension at Sierra Nevada College, is ready. “We are thrilled to offer in-demand degrees on the campus of Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, and express gratitude to our new partners for this opportunity,” says Dr. Atkinson. “Sierra Nevada College will serve the students of this community with high-quality bachelor’s degrees to elevate their education and career.”
“Partnering with community colleges to create seamless pathways to 4-year degrees is just good public policy,” says Sierra Nevada College President Dr. Alan Walker. “It helps students, it helps employers, and helps the communities where students live and work.”
Interested students may apply to the program on the Sierra Nevada College admissions webpage. For more information on the Sierra Nevada College Extension Center, please email [email protected].
*degrees and site approvals pending NWCCU and CA Bureau of Postsecondary Education
About Sierra Nevada College
Sierra Nevada College is Nevada’s only accredited private non-profit four-year university. Sierra Nevada College is committed to fostering a culture of competition, guiding students to think on their feet, communicate persuasively, and acquire the higher-order thinking skills necessary to thrive in the real world.
About Cuesta College
Cuesta College is located in the heart of the scenic Central Coast of California and is ranked by Niche as one of the Top 50 Best Community Colleges in America (Niche, 2019). Cuesta College has been educating San Luis Obispo County residents since 1963 and was founded with the core values of access, excellence, and success. The college serves more than 10,000 students across three physical sites plus online and is committed to being an inclusive institution that inspires a diverse student population to achieve their educational goals.