Temecula partners with MSJC to launch dual enrollment program for local students

In a dynamic address during the 2025 Temecula State of the City meeting, Mayor Brenden Kalfus spotlighted the collaborative efforts between local educational institutions and healthcare providers aimed at enhancing higher education and medical training in the region.

Kalfus praised the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) for its strong foundation in education, highlighting a new dual enrollment program with Mount San Jacinto College. This initiative allows students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, providing significant financial and time savings for families. "Thriving schools support a thriving city," Kalfus stated, emphasizing the importance of education in community development.

The mayor also announced that the California Community Colleges Board of Governors has granted center status to Mount San Jacinto College, unlocking an additional $2.2 million in annual funding. This funding will bolster the college's commitment to equitable access to higher education for the growing population of Southwest Riverside County. Plans are underway to co-locate Cal State University San Marcos classes at the college's Temecula campus, with an estimated $18 million needed for improvements and equipment.

In a significant move to address the physician shortage in the area, Kalfus highlighted the residency program established by Southwest Healthcare at Temecula Valley Hospital. This program trains new doctors locally, with a retention rate of over 60% for graduates. The mayor described the emotional significance of the white coat ceremony, marking the transition from medical student to resident physician, and underscored the community's role in supporting these future healthcare leaders.

Kalfus concluded by expressing pride in the collaborative spirit of the region, stating, "Projects like these truly do take a community." The initiatives discussed not only aim to enhance educational opportunities but also to ensure that the healthcare needs of Temecula's residents are met by homegrown professionals.