Placer Ranch Collaboration for Higher Education

Roseville, Calif. – Sacramento State, Sierra College and Westpark Communities, the developer of the proposed Placer Ranch, announced today an agreement to collaborate on higher education offerings at Placer Ranch.

The letter of intent outlines opportunities for the two higher education institutions to work together as Sacramento State develops long-term plans for a satellite campus with 300 acres to be donated by Westpark Communities from the 2,200-acre Placer Ranch development.

Sacramento State and Sierra College envision co-locating at Placer Ranch, either sharing an initial building or locating in adjacent buildings. Sierra College would offer courses at the new campus to meet academic requirements for the first two years of college.

“Sacramento State and Sierra College are collaborating extensively to meet the higher education needs of the Placer County community,” said Dr. Alexander Gonzalez, President of Sacramento State. “As we plan our satellite campus at Placer Ranch, we are pleased to incorporate a Sierra College presence on our campus.”

The concept builds on existing collaboration between the two institutions. The two are working as partners in the planned University Center in Roseville, a joint use facility including Sierra College, Sacramento State, the University of the Pacific, William Jessup University and Brandman University. Additionally, Sierra College and Sacramento State recently began a special three-year program for incoming nursing students to earn an associate’s degree from Sierra College and a bachelor’s in nursing from Sacramento State.

“Collaboration among community colleges and four-year institutions is critical to meet the changing needs and demands in higher education,” said Sierra College President Willy Duncan. “We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Sac State at a satellite campus at Placer Ranch.”

For Sierra College, the location at the satellite campus would help meet the long-term and growing need for academic offerings, particularly in the fast-growing areas of Roseville and Lincoln. The two institutions will be working together to determine the best academic programs to offer at a Placer Ranch campus, Duncan said.

Jeff Jones, chief operating officer of Westpark Communities, said Sierra College is a great addition to the Placer Ranch master plan.

“The top destination for Sierra College students is Sacramento State,” Jones said. “By Sacramento State and Sierra College working together, the community will benefit through a more accessible and integrated higher education system.”

Placer Ranch is a 2,200-acre proposed master plan, located along three miles of the northern border of the City of Roseville and in Placer County’s Sunset Industrial Area. Westpark Communities has pledged to donate 300 acres to Sacramento State, which will be a primary catalyst for helping to create a jobs center for Placer County. The plan anticipates 7 million square feet of Research & Development/Office/Commercial space and 30,000 jobs.

The Placer Ranch plan is currently being reviewed through a unique collaborative planning process involving the City of Roseville and Placer County.