At Cal State Monterey Bay, our mission has always been clear. We exist to serve the people of the Central Coast and to strengthen the communities that make the region unique. Every program we expand, every partnership we form and every investment we make is guided by one purpose: to prepare students for meaningful careers that support the growth and well-being of our region.
The recently announced partnership with Montage Health to establish the Montage Health Helen Baszucki School of Nursing within the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, marks a defining moment for our university and for the Central Coast. The gift commitment from Montage Health will allow us to expand our nursing programs, attract and retain talented faculty, and prepare more healthcare professionals who will live and work in the communities that need them most.
The Central Coast, like many regions across the nation, faces a growing need for qualified nurses and healthcare providers. By educating students close to home, we are building a pathway for compassionate and well-prepared professionals who will provide care in local hospitals, clinics and community health centers. Many of our graduates choose to remain in the area, strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving the quality of life for residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.
Education is the most powerful tool for change. Through collaboration with Montage Health, we are creating an academic foundation that directly connects learning with community well-being. Faculty with deep clinical experience will prepare students through advanced training, modern classrooms, and simulation laboratories. Students will gain hands-on experience through clinical placements at healthcare facilities throughout the region, ensuring they are ready to meet real needs on their first day of employment.
Our commitment to collaboration extends to Monterey Peninsula College and Hartnell College. Together, we have built strong pathways for nursing students to advance their education. The two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allows registered nurses who hold associate degrees to earn a four-year degree while continuing to work in their field. This program benefits hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the region by expanding the number of well-trained professionals who can deliver quality care to patients.
The College of Health Sciences and Human Services continues to demonstrate the impact of focused investment in workforce development. The Master in Social Work program has doubled the number of graduates in only two years, meeting the growing demand for behavioral health and family support professionals.
Our responsibility to the region goes beyond healthcare. Agriculture and hospitality define much of the Central Coast economy, and both sectors are evolving quickly. We have quickly grown our Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management program, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, our Agricultural Plants and Soil Sciences Program, Mechatronics Engineering Program and our newly launched Agribusiness Supply Chain Management degree, to address industry evolution. Our programs connect students directly with local employers through internships, service learning and research opportunities, giving students the knowledge and experience to advance two of our most important industries.
Together, the expansion of nursing, social work, agriculture and hospitality represents a unified effort to support the workforce and economy of the Central Coast. Our university is not only educating students, but also helping to create opportunity, stability and prosperity for families across the region.
The future of the Central Coast depends on the ability of education, business and community partners to work together toward a shared vision. At Cal State Monterey Bay, we are fully committed to that vision. Through our partnership with Montage Health and the continued development of programs that serve regional needs, we are building an infrastructure for lasting economic strength and a healthier, more resilient Central Coast for generations to come.
Vanya Quiñones is the president of Cal State Monterey Bay.
