The Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus recently hosted a reception to introduce Martha Garcia, the new superintendent/president of College of the Desert, to the PDC Advancement Board, members of the CSUSB administration and various community partners.

“We are fortunate to have President Garcia as our new partner,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales at the Dec. 14 event. “The College of the Desert and our Palm Desert Campus are vital to the future of the Coachella Valley. We have a shared vision and partnership to provide access to the residents of the Coachella Valley to a high quality and affordable education.”

College of the Desert alumni make up more than 80% of the upper-division students at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, and CSUSB has Associate Degree for Transfer pathways for 26 programs from College of the Desert. These pathways have been critical as CSUSB has expanded programs at its Palm Desert Campus.

CSUSB and COD have worked closely to assure a smooth transfer process for students between the campuses that take the burden off of the student. The two schools have worked together to recruit students in the Coachella Valley and to help get them on a pathway to higher education by co-presenting and co-hosting sessions and events at high schools and community organizations.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Strategic Communication at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the PDC website.

Martha Garcia, president, College of the Desert, addresses the audience at a welcome reception held in her honor and hosted by the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus.