CSUSB Palm Desert campus envisions new hospitality management program
The Palm Desert campus of Cal State San Bernardino is set to expand, this after local lawmakers presented school officials millions of dollars on Tuesday, which one day will turn the campus into a full-fledged, independent university.
Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-56) and California Assemblyman Chad Mayes (R-42), presented a $3 million check in hopes of providing more opportunities for students in the valley.
“Our region is seeing the benefits of the work being done in Sacramento and in this case, the resources coming back to our community for the purposes of higher education,” said Garcia.
“I know that this community is committed to making sure that Cal State University San Bernardino becomes Cal State University Palm Desert,” said Mayes.
School officials said the money also will help with the campus 30-year expansion plan, hoping to bring many buildings and athletic fields to vacant land between Gerald Ford Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive.
The expansion can add more faculty and classes in healthcare and STEM education programs, along with helping start a new hospitality management program.
“As we build programs, as we build hospitality curriculum, as we build science and mathematics curriculum, we’re going to need places to put these students,” said Dr. Ward Fredericks, president of Advance Board at CSUSB Palm Desert.
“Hospitality, all over the world, is the largest industry. It’s growing very fast. Students who take a hospitality-management degree here can get hired by a Marriott, by one of the big hotel chains, and they can make a career which will take them up the ladder here but also around the world,” said Fredericks.
Garcia and Mayes said they’ll ask for $10 million for the school, from the state budget during the next session.
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