College of the Desert welcomes public to its newly expanded Indio Campus ahead of the school year

College of the Desert’s newly expanded Indio Campus hosted two exciting events prior to opening its doors to regular student activity. On Wednesday, August 14, current and potential students attended the inaugural Roadrunner Rally from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

At Roadrunner Rally, new and continuing students receved personalized assistance with the application process, course registration, financial aid and more. Attendees will also have a chance to get a sneak peak of the improved Indio Campus and enjoy free snow cones.   

Nicholas Robles, with College of the Desert says the new expansion is monumental, and a conglomeration of feedback from students and staff.

"It's going to have a lot of learning opportunity," said Robles. "One of the great things is we heard from students that they wanted a little bit more of a welcoming environment. So with this new expansion, the first floor is really like the welcoming center. So we've got student services there for students, they can right when they walk in that door, they are already feeling like they are welcomed as soon as they step inside."

The project first broke ground back in 2022, and after two yeas of construction the Indio Campus Expansion Project adds 67,000 square feet of classrooms, laboratories, student support services, faculty and staff offices, a student café, open study spaces, and collaboration areas.

"Our Indio campus serves not only students in the eastern valley, but it's really students across the entire Coachella Valley," said Robles. "That's really one of the big priorities for College of the Desert, is creating equitable access for those students, so they can take courses and really make a difference here in the community."

Laura Hope, Interim Superintendent/Predsident of College of the Desert agrees.

“This project is a memorial to our commitment to meeting the community’s needs,” said Hope. “Not long after the original Indio building opened its doors, it was clear that more space was needed to serve the growing Indio community. The completion of this project ensures we can provide current and future Indio students with a quality and cost-effective education.” 

Students who attended the rally say staff members helped them register for classes and apply for financial aid.

"I needed help with my FAFSA application and to get registered through all my classes that I needed to do full time," said Graciela, an incoming student. "And they did really good. They were quick with it. They just made me sign in, and I sat down, and I did it like it was nothing."

Another student was amazed at the campus' sleek new look, saying it compares to other major colleges around the U.S.

“The classrooms are very spacious," said Ella. "It's incredible, and very modern. What I've noticed when you walk upstairs, it's like all glass. So it's very open. You don't feel suffocated or secluded.”

On Thursday, August 15 at 8:30 a.m. the public is invited to the official ribbon cutting for the Indio Campus.  

The ribbon cutting is a celebration of the hard work that was put in to make Indio Campus what it needs to be for the residents of the City of Indio. Attendees can hear how the campus has been enhanced as well as what else is in store for Indio Campus through improvement projects, including modest renovations to the original facility.  

The project investment is $75,200,768. Funding was provided by voter approved tax Measure B & CC Bond Funds.  

To learn more about the Roadrunner Rally or ribbon cutting, please visit www.collegeofthedesert.edu.