Imperial County supervisors unanimously support SDSU Imperial Valley expansion of STEM education

The Board of Supervisors recently unanimously adopted a resolution that explicitly supports SDSU Imperial Valley’s commitment to develop a 65,000- square- foot Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teaching and research facility at the Brawley campus that will offer students the professional degree programs needed to prepare the region’s workforce for the highly anticipated lithium extraction industry development.

In February, county supervisors unveiled their plan to steer the development of lithium extraction from geothermal brine for use in making electric car batteries. While supervisors have made no secret that they believe lithium development can be a game changer for the county’s economy, they know that the industry’s future requires a highly educated workforce.

Brittany Santos-Derieg, chief of staff for SDSU President Adela de la Torre, told supervisors SDSU’s existing engineering programs do research in these areas and teach students the specific skills that match what lithium developers need.

In part, the resolution notes that SDSU is the only four-year public university in Imperial County, and it “is committing to expanding their nationally ranked College of Engineering and College of Sciences, from their main campus in San Diego to the Imperial Valley, to help usher in the professional degree programs to transform the region’s workforce development to support lithium extraction and statewide energy priorities.”

While SDSU has requested state funds to build the STEM labs and teaching facility on their Brawley campus, Santos-Derieg said, “We also decided not to wait. SDSU has already invested $15 million in the renovation of the existing facility and the hiring of new faculty.”

The new facility at the Brawley campus will include 25,000 square feet of labs, core facilities with major instruments, and 20,000 square feet of STEM classrooms and teaching lab space.

She added that nearly $9 million of the total has been invested in lab, classroom equipment, and faculty for the new nursing programs that are projected to start in fall 2022.

Additionally, the first group of environmental health faculty are being hired for a new public health minor that will begin in fall 2022.

The resolution reads, “SDSU’s immediate goal is to expand its Brawley campus, using its available 200 acres of land to offer degree programs in STEM fields with a focus on engineering and environmental priorities and economic development.”

Several supervisors spoke enthusiastically about SDSU’s commitment to the Valley. Supervisor Ray Castillo, an SDSU Imperial Valley alumnus, said, “I am glad to see you are expanding the campus so young people don’t have to travel to get an education.”

SDSU, which launched its 125- year anniversary celebration earlier this month, has been part of the Imperial Valley for 63 years. SDSU Imperial Valley continues to grow the list of programs it offers to meet its goal of doubling enrollment to 2,000 students to meet regional workforce development needs and the educational goals of local California State University- eligible students.

“We are here to stay, and here to build,” Santos-Derieg said.