Launches year-long celebration to mark nine decades of providing excellence and community service.

MiraCosta College announced the launch of a yearlong celebration of its 90th anniversary of delivering accessible, equitable education and positively transforming countless lives in North San Diego County for nearly a century.

“As we celebrate our 90th year, we honor the legacy of those who came before us and pledge to continue providing transformative education and opportunities for all,” said Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke,president/superintendent of MiraCosta College. “Since 1934, MiraCosta College’s commitment to excellence, access, success, and inclusion has been consistently demonstrated, and the college is recognized as a national leader in equity and futures thinking. Together with our community partners and dedicated faculty and staff, we will continue to transform lives and shape the future of education in our region and nation.” 

Once housed in a wing of Oceanside High School in 1934, MiraCosta today serves nearly 27,000 students across four campuses in Oceanside, Cardiff, and Carlsbad, reflecting its mission to provide a wide array of educational pathways. As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a military-supportive college, MiraCosta confers over 85 degrees and certificates in healthcare, technology, and the arts. It also offers associate degrees, university transfer programs, and workforce readiness certificates and is one of the original 15 California community colleges to offer a bachelor’s degree.

MiraCosta College’s successful efforts have led to national recognition, such as being designated a national Achieving the Dream Leader College and being named by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 150 U.S. Community Colleges for consecutive years. The college’s alumni have a significant impact, with approximately 90 percent of graduates remaining in San Diego County, contributing to the economy and health of the region. 

The 90th Anniversary Celebration will showcase the completion of various construction projects, including the new Kinesiology, Health and Nutrition building, Gymnasium, the Student Services building, Library and Learning Commons, and the Nursing Simulation Labs, funded by the Measure MM $455 million bond. These state-of-the-art facilities are not just physical structures but symbols of our promise to provide an accessible, high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of our community.

Join MiraCosta College throughout 2024 to commemorate our past, celebrate alumni, faculty, and student success, and embark on a future transforming lives and shaping the future for the next 90 years and beyond. More details on upcoming 90th-anniversary events and initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

Read more about MiraCosta College’s history.

View our 90th Anniversary Digital Toolkit.