Posted: May 15, 2019Written by: Ritchie Bermudez

UPDATE: On August 12th, 2019, Cuesta College was informed that Sierra Nevada College (SNC) is closing all of their extension center programs. The SNC Board of Directors took action to close the extension programs as part of a comprehensive plan to address fiscal issues.

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 extension@sierranevada.edu.

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.

*degrees and site approvals pending NWCCU and CA Bureau of Postsecondary Education