THE KNOWLEDGE INDUSTRY

A team of student journalists from San Diego City College spent the spring 2022 semester reporting on AB-927, a law that allows community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, and its impact both at San Diego City College and beyond as part of the Democracy and the Informed Citizen Emerging Journalist Fellowship program. The fellows selected were Philip Salata, Jakob McWhinney, Kathy Archibald and Susana Serrano.

To view the project in its entirety, click here.

Much-anticipated bachelor’s degree at City College is here. Applications open now.

City College opens applications for first bachelor’s degree in cyber defense and analysis the same month that Miramar College and Mesa College secure approval to offer new bachelor’s programs

Eve McNally, Multimedia Journalist • October 26, 2023

Beginning in fall 2024, City College will offer a bachelor’s degree in cyber defense and analysis. The program is one of 33 offered at the 116 community colleges in California.

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SDCCD trustees reaffirm commitment to community college bachelor’s degrees

Interim Chancellor Greg Smith’s first trustees meeting demonstrates solidarity amid opposition from CSUs

Shamere Grimes, Multimedia Reporter • May 16, 2023

Members of the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees reaffirmed their commitment to supporting baccalaureate programs at community colleges after recent opposition from the California State University system at a recent meeting held in Mission Valley.

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City College set to offer bachelor’s in Cyber Defense and Analysis

New four-year degrees will begin in the fall 2024 semester

Susana Serrano, Managing Editor • February 9, 2023

In a first in the 108-year history of the campus, San Diego City College has been approved to offer its first bachelor’s degree. The Cyber Defense and Analysis baccalaureate program will begin in the fall 2024 semester, according to a press release by City College.

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City Times Media drops podcast about California higher education

New law opens the door for more bachelor’s degrees to community colleges

Jakob McWhinney and Philip Salata • June 21, 2022

The Knowledge Industry is a podcast about the changing nature of education in California. Season one focuses on the potentially dramatic effect AB-927, a law that opens the doors to more bachelor’s degrees at the state’s community colleges could have on higher education.

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City College’s graphic design program sets sights on bachelor’s degree (with video)

Professor Sean Bacon considers the program a way to provide a usually costly education at an accessible price

Jakob McWhinney and Philip Salata • March 17, 2022

For Professor Sean Bacon, part of preparing students to succeed in the field of graphic design is creating lines of communication between local employers to ensure students are getting an education that’s up to date, valuable and will allow them to easily transition from City into the workplace.

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City College submits proposal for bachelor’s in Cyber Defense and Analysis

While AB-927 allows for fifteen proposed bachelor’s degrees to be approved per submission period, only ten proposals were submitted statewide

Jakob McWhinney and Philip Salata • March 1, 2022

Even with out-of-state tuition being considerably higher, students cross state lines in search of an affordable cyber education.

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SDCCD officials: Further changes to CA higher education needed

Educators consider the 1960s California Master Plan for Higher Education outdated and a limitation to equitable and accessible education

Jakob McWhinney and Philip Salata • November 5, 2021

Though San Diego Community College District and City College officials applauded the passage of AB-927, which expanded the ability of California community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees, they argued further changes to the structure of the state’s public higher education system are necessary.

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SDCCD officials praise new law, discuss potential candidates for bachelor’s degree expansion

Mesa president hopes her college’s experience can be a roadmap for other SDCCD schools

Jakob McWhinney and Philip Salata • October 21, 2021

Current and former SDCCD officials praised the passage of AB-927, which expands and makes permanent the current pilot program that allows community colleges to develop baccalaureate programs.

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Community college bachelor’s degrees now a reality

Governor Newsom signed new bill championed by former SDCCD chancellor

Jakob McWhinney and Philip Salata • October 7, 2021

AB 927 expands the state pilot program that allowed community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in fields not offered by the University of California, or California State University.

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