I have been thrilled to lead Monterey Peninsula College over the past year. One of the most compelling aspects of joining this institution was the community’s overwhelming support for the college. In 2020, local voters reaffirmed their investment in MPC by approving the $230 million Measure V bond. This bond represents a collective commitment to the future of education across our entire service area, including Monterey, Marina and Seaside. Measure V was designed to address critical infrastructure needs, modernize outdated facilities, and support campus expansion to meet the growing demands of our community.

Measure V is about creating a balance — ensuring that all of MPC’s campuses receive the attention they need. The Marina Campus expansion has been a key priority for many years, responding directly to the projected population growth in the area. This expansion was explicitly included in Measure V to meet the community’s future educational needs, with approximately 27% of the total bond — around $62 million — dedicated to this vital project. This allocation reflects our deep commitment to serving all of our communities and service areas.

Rest assured, approved bond projects are not being abandoned to support the Marina expansion.

For example, the Monterey campus is undergoing significant improvements, as promised. We are proud to highlight the forthcoming reopening of a newly renovated Library & Technology Center, which will feature redesigned spaces for our tutoring centers to enhance student retention and provide collaborative study areas. Additionally, we have submitted plans to the Division of the State Architect for a new Music Building, originally budgeted at $8 million, now increased to $16 million due to rising construction costs, as well as a comprehensive Welcome/Student Services Building, initially estimated at $10.5 million and now budgeted at $18 million. The Welcome/Student Services Building will serve as the hub for student services, offering academic advising and affinity spaces to support our diverse student body.

These projects, alongside infrastructure upgrades like new boilers, classroom technology improvements, repairing roofs, the resurfacing of the athletic track, and the addition of pickleball courts are clear testaments to our commitment to maintaining and enhancing the Monterey campus.

The Marina Campus is poised to meet the needs of a growing population, and its expansion is critical to providing access to education in the northern part of our service area. As Marina grows, so do the educational demands of its residents. Expanding the Marina Campus is essential not only for the present but also for the future of that community and MPC.

This expansion was explicitly outlined as part of Measure V in 2020, and the bond passed with the understanding that all campuses — Monterey, Marina, and Seaside — would benefit. Measure V was designed to serve the entire district, including our rapidly growing communities in Marina, ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to all.

MPC has been and will continue to be fully transparent about the allocation of bond funds. The Monterey Peninsula Community College District governing board will review revisions to the bond project list, reflecting careful planning and prioritization across all campuses. These revisions are not drastic changes, but necessary adjustments to ensure that the bond’s original goals — modernizing our aging facilities and preparing for the future — are fully met.

I encourage everyone to stay engaged, review the details of these revisions, and attend the upcoming Board meeting. MPC remains committed to delivering on the promises of Measure V, and I am confident that the improvements across all campuses will benefit our students, our community, and future generations.

I sincerely appreciate the community’s continued support of Monterey Peninsula College as we work together to build a stronger, more vibrant educational future.

Marshall T. Fulbright III is Monterey Peninsula College’s superintendent/president