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The 40,000-square foot facility at 2505 Augustine Drive includes 22 state-of-the-art classrooms outfitted with the latest instructional technologies, three of which are interconnected to accommodate large groups, computer labs, a Web design studio, and conference rooms.
The facility is located in a three-story building offering advanced professional education for mid-career professionals who live and work in Silicon Valley. The extension offers more than 40 disciplines in four main areas, including business management, engineering and technology, applied and natural sciences, and education.
"This whole move was all about a new mission for the 21st century," Executive Director James Desrosier said. "We've really focused on those four disciplines and providing the educational needs for Silicon Valley's advanced workforce."
The campus is a consolidation of the extension's previous locations in Cupertino, Santa Cruz and Sunnyvale. Desrosier said the success of the central Silicon Valley location is reflected in the increasing rate of enrollment. Extension has seen a 22 percent increase in enrollment over the past year. For the fall quarter, enrollment has increased by 31 percent.
"The move has been hugely beneficial for us," Desrosier said.
An official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday morning attended by about 200 people, including education, business and community leaders.
UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal delivered the event's opening address.
"This new, state-of-the art facility and today's event signals the start of a new era for UCSC Extension," Blumenthal said. "We expect that UC Santa Cruz Extension will serve as a beacon of educational opportunity for the Silicon Valley community and further the mission of UC Santa Cruz throughout our region."
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