National University Opens Escondido Student Center
National University Escondido Nest opens with study space, child care, Veteran support and career services for working students.
By Academic Writing Club Newsroom
National University has opened its second Nest Healthy Learning Center in Escondido, California, serving students across North San Diego County and the Inland Empire. The university serves more than 50,000 degree students annually, plus 80,000 workforce and professional program students. Located at the Escondido YMCA Campus for Community Well-Being, the center offers study space, technology access, child care, Veteran resources and career support. A third location is planned for National City in spring 2027.
Support for Working Students
The Escondido Nest has classrooms, meeting rooms, study areas and computers available to borrow. Students can use the space to study, attend classes and meet advisors, while military-connected students can access guidance on benefits, career transitions and peer connections.
Nearly a quarter of U.S. undergraduate students are over 25, while the U.S. Department of Education estimates that 73 percent have at least one nontraditional characteristic. At National University, undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students have an average age of 37.
Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University, said:
“Higher education's center of gravity is moving. The 'typical' college student is no longer 18, living on campus and enrolled full time. Increasingly, they are professionals balancing work, family and a degree all at once. At National University, we are committed to meeting students where they are and helping them build pathways to career and economic mobility. That means supporting the whole of what they're managing, not just what happens in the classroom,”
Child Care and Military Resources
The center includes an on-site Kids Club through National University’s partnership with the YMCA of San Diego County. More than 25 student families have used the Kids Club at the university’s Spectrum campus location.
Sara Doran, a student at National University, said:
“As a military spouse with a deployed husband and no family nearby, having access to the YMCA Kids Club has made a huge difference for me. There have been times when unexpected child care issues could have prevented me from attending class, and knowing this resource was available has allowed me to continue my education while ensuring my boys were safe and having fun.”
A New Location for Families
The center brings education, health and family services together at the Escondido YMCA campus. Community members can tour the space during open houses on September 16 and 17 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Todd Tibbits, president and CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County, said:
“Student parents are working to build better futures for themselves and their children, but too often, child care and other family responsibilities can stand in the way of that opportunity. When we provide reliable, on-site child care, we're not just supporting a student, we're supporting the whole family. By helping parents stay focused on their education while their children have access to safe, quality care, we can help remove barriers that impact families across North County and create greater opportunity for generations to come.”
