OCEANSIDE — A new partnership between Oceanside Unified School District and MiraCosta College will provide high school students with the opportunity to earn an associate degree in biomanufacturing prior to graduation.
The program, set to launch this fall, will begin with a cohort of 24 freshmen who will take college-level coursework during their high school years, allowing them to complete a bachelor’s degree more quickly and at a lower cost.
Program graduates will meet all requirements for an associate degree in biomanufacturing.
“This program is unique because we’re creating a structure for them to be able to complete all of the requirements for an associate’s degree in biomanufacturing while they are still in high school,” said Dominique Ingato, co-department chair of MiraCosta College’s biotechnology program.
Students who earn an associate’s degree can complete their bachelor’s coursework in just two more years of college. For many, that path may also be tuition-free under the California College Promise Program, which waives fees for eligible full-time students who are California residents or non-resident “Dreamers.”
“It’s a huge win for our community,” said Donald Bendz, communications director for Oceanside Unified, adding that the district serves many socioeconomically disadvantaged families who stand to benefit.
Biotechnology utilizes biological systems to develop products in various fields, including healthcare and agriculture. Biomanufacturing, a branch of biotech, involves producing these products using microorganisms, animal cells or plant cells.
Students in the program will initially complete coursework online before transitioning to hands-on lab work at MiraCosta’s new $42.5 million Chemistry and Biotechnology Building.
Talks between the college and school district began several years ago as Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways expanded. CTE programs offer students practical experience in high-demand fields, facilitating a smoother transition into college or careers.
“CTE pathways help bridge students to college and vocational opportunities,” said Richard Lawrence, executive director of Educational Support Services for Oceanside Unified.
Teresa Collis, CTE coordinator for the district, said the program builds on an existing dual enrollment arrangement with MiraCosta College, one of just 15 community colleges in California authorized to offer a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology.
“We’ve been wanting to get our students into these state-of-the-art laboratories that replicate the industry,” Collis said.
The inaugural class of 24 students was selected based on their interest, attendance and motivation, rather than their grade point average (GPA).
“We weren’t necessarily looking for straight-A students, but those who were motivated to take advantage of the program,” Lawrence said.
The program will include academic support to help students manage the demands of college-level coursework while still in high school.
Program leaders say the location makes sense. North San Diego County is a central biotech hub, with employers like Genentech partnering with MiraCosta College and hiring students before they graduate.
“We’re one of the nation’s major biotech hubs, so we have lots of larger companies like Genentech, which is one of our partners located just 10 minutes down the road, that end up hiring our students even before they graduate,” Ingato said. “There are also a lot of startups in the area working on some cutting edge projects.”
According to ZipRecruiter, the average wage for biotech jobs in California is approximately $45 per hour, making it an attractive option for students seeking to stay in the region after graduation.
Ingato said the program also attracts adults, including single mothers and career changers, looking to enter a higher-paying field.
The district monitors local labor markets to align its CTE offerings with real-world opportunities, Collis said. While balancing full-time school and work is a challenge for many, she said this program makes it more manageable.
“These students are going to be seen as the cream of the crop as far as the hiring pool because they’ve already been working with industry standard equipment with lab researchers right alongside them,” Collis said.
Anthony Gomez, an incoming freshman at Oceanside High School, is among those selected for the program’s first year. Gomez said he was drawn to science in general, but especially to biomanufacturing. After weeks of checking his email for an update, he was thrilled to learn he’d been accepted.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “My parents are really excited for me too.”
