Mt. San Jacinto Gets $2.2 Million Budget Boost For Temecula Campus

TEMECULA, CA — The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges unanimously approved its "Center Status," Mt. San Jacinto College Temecula Valley Campus announced this week. The decision follows a presentation by MSJC Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Schultz.

The Center Status designation secures approximately $2.2 million in additional annual basic apportionment funding, reinforcing MSJC’s commitment to providing equitable access to higher education for Southwest Riverside County’s rapidly growing population.

"This is a historic moment for Mt. San Jacinto College and our Temecula Valley Campus," Schultz said. "The Board's unanimous approval recognizes the incredible growth and impact of this campus in addressing the educational needs of our community. At MSJC, we are committed to taking our educational offering to where our students are—physically in the heart of our population district—and providing them with the resources they need to succeed. This additional funding will enable us to expand access, enhance student success, and strengthen our role as a vital regional resource."

In 2017, MSJC acquired a 365,000-square-foot building in Temecula for $55 million, funded through local bond Measure AA.

"By 2020, the facility was transformed into a state-of-the-art learning center, opening during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the campus serves nearly 4,000 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students annually, meeting the region’s increasing demand for higher education.

"The Temecula Valley Campus exemplifies MSJC’s commitment to financial stewardship and sustainability. Its current value of $424 million demonstrates the foresight of MSJC leadership and the community’s investment in the future," the release said.

Dr. Schultz spoke on what this means to the campus.

"The successful application for Center Status was made possible through the diligent efforts of Dr. Carlos Tovares, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, whose leadership and attention to detail were instrumental in completing the comprehensive application packet. Dr. Schultz expressed his gratitude: "Dr. Tovares’s expertise and dedication were critical in achieving this milestone. His work ensures that MSJC continues to deliver exceptional opportunities to our students and community."