Kumeyaay Community College (KCC) is proud to partner with San Diego State University (SDSU) to expand pathways to four-year degrees for Kumeyaay students.
 

About the Partnership

In May 2024, KCC and SDSU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a formal transfer partnership between the two institutions. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to increasing enrollment and degree attainment among Native students pursuing higher education.
 

Under the MOU, SDSU and KCC work closely together to recruit and admit qualifying transfer students, with the goal of guaranteeing admission to KCC students who meet the necessary academic requirements. This means students who complete their studies at KCC have a clear, supported path to continue their education and earn a four-year degree at SDSU.

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Why It Matters

SDSU sits on land belonging to the Kumeyaay Nation, whose territory stretches from San Diego's north county down into northern Baja California and east to the Imperial Valley — home to SDSU's Imperial Valley campus as well. This partnership builds on that connection, and on the work already underway through SDSU's Office of the Tribal Liaison, American Indian Studies Department, and Native Resource Center.
 

As SDSU President Adela de la Torre put it, the goal is straightforward: more Native students pursuing higher education, and more Native students earning four-year degrees.

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A Broader Commitment

This partnership is one of the agreements KCC maintains with regional institutions, all aimed at making sure our students have real, supported options to continue their academic journey after or outside of KCC programming.
 

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Explore More at SDSU
 

• SDSU's American Indian Studies Department is one of the oldest departments of its kind in the country. The Department of American Indian Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts degree focused on the history, culture, sovereignty, and contemporary life of American Indian peoples, with an emphasis on the tribes of Southern California. Students combine coursework with hands-on, community-based learning alongside local tribes and organizations. 

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• SDSU's Elymash Yuuchaap (Meaning "Youth Think" in 'Iipay Aa, the Kumeyaay language) Indigenous Scholars and Leaders Program is a year-long leadership and mentorship program for Native and Indigenous students at SDSU. Scholars take part in a weekly seminar, are paired with a peer mentor, and build community while preparing to serve Indigenous communities after graduation. 

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