The year ahead: Top 10 for 2019

Jan 4, 2019

Palomar College celebrated many significant milestones in 2018, from the opening of new education centers in Rancho Bernardo and Fallbrook to the successful expansion of the Palomar Promise. With the New Year, the college is anticipating a flurry of activity, with additional grand openings, program expansions and full-time faculty hires.

Here are the top 10 stories coming to you from Palomar College in 2019.

1. Grand Openings

Following several years of ground breakings and ribbon cuttings, Palomar continues to expand and improve facilities, with the introduction of several notable campus additions in 2019:

  • Police Building Grand Opening

Adjacent to the college’s parking structure—a highly anticipated project completed in 2018—the Police Building is conveniently located to better serve the campus community. The grand opening event is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. Rumor has it that donuts will be served.

  • Learning Resource Center Grand Opening

With a breathtaking design and a variety of innovative features, the much-anticipated new library on the San Marcos campus is scheduled to open its doors during the spring semester, with the official celebratory event slotted for Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.

  • Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Grand Opening

Also scheduled for a spring opening, the M&O has already won three prestigious design awards. Designed to achieve the equivalent of LEED Platinum status, this “Net Zero” project will be the first community college building in the world to earn Living Building Petal certification.

Palomar Promise student

2. Further Expansion of the Palomar Promise

The college is planning to expand the Promise, and with the introduction of California Assembly Bill (AB) 2, may be able to add a second year free to the already successful program. In 2018, 1,515 students started the school year tuition-free in the program, and there are nearly as many who have already applied for the 2019 fall class.

Program information and applications are available online

Rancho Bernardo Palomar College campus

3. First Anniversary of Rancho Bernardo and Fallbrook Education Centers

With the two centers already successfully serving the northern and southern portions of Palomar’s district, plans are in place to further expand programs and services at both sites with the first anniversary of classes this summer.

Fallbrook Palomar Campus

4. Moving Ahead with a Permanent Facility at the Fallbrook Center

While the modular units in Fallbrook are serving more than 1,200 students, plans were recently unveiled to build a beautiful permanent facility on the property. Next up for the year are finalizing the plans and moving forward with construction.

5. Athletic Teams Continuing Success

The college’s athletic program enjoys a long history of success, with many student-athletes committing to four-year programs. Palomar boasts one of the largest comprehensive athletic programs at any community college in the nation—22 men’s and women’s teams—and with an outstanding track record, the various Comet squads are anticipating continued successful accomplishments in the field of play and in the classroom.

6. New Full-Time Faculty in the Classrooms

With increased funding for full-time faculty hires, the college got a jump-start in the fall semester of 2018; the new crop of instructors will start in spring. Additional full-time faculty hires are planned for 2019 across a variety of disciplines.

7. Palomar College Foundation Naming Opportunities

The college orchestrated an exciting naming opportunity in the fall with the grand opening of the Anita & Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center on campus. With expanded centers and beautiful new facilities, there are almost unlimited naming opportunities for businesses and individuals who want to become a permanent part of the college landscape.

8. “Shattered Dreams”—Documentary on Sex Trafficking

This highly anticipated documentary, from the Emmy Award-winning Palomar College Television team, is scheduled for a spring 2019 release.

9. Performing Arts—Theatre, Dance, Music

With over 100 performances annually, from theatre to dance to music, there is something for everyone at the Howard Brubeck Theatre and beyond. The spring theatre schedule includes Legally Blonde (March 8-17) and Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) from May 3-12. Music and dance performances occur throughout the year and information is available online.

10. Monster Dash and Bash 5K Walk/Run 2019

It’s not too early to start planning your costume for North County’s newest fun walk/run. The inaugural event to raise funds for student scholarships and programs in 2018 was a huge success, and 2019 promises to be bigger and better.