College of the Desert (COD) is putting education, workforce development, and economic revitalization into high gear with its newest venture: Roadrunner Motors. Set to open for instruction in spring 2027, this state-of-the-art, nearly $38 million automotive training facility, being funded by the college’s Measure CC bond funds, is under construction near one of the valley’s busiest automotive corridors. This strategic location signals both intention and ambition.
Dr. Scott Adkins, Director of Education Centers for COD’s West Valley, delivered an update to the Cathedral City City Council at their October 22 meeting, reinforcing the project’s vision and describing the anticipated benefits to Cathedral City and the entire region, as construction of the new facility unfolds at the site on a parcel of land behind the Cathedral City Auto Center south of Highway 111. Adkins described the initiative as “more than construction. It’s collaboration.”
The College of the Desert Roadrunner Motors site in Cathedral City.
The Roadrunner Motors campus will feature general and specialized classrooms, a teaching lab equipped with lifts, active vehicle storage, electric charging stations, and even a compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station. Office space, an industry partner conference room, and ample parking round out the plan, which is tailored to the surrounding network of auto dealerships, repair shops, and parts retailers.
“This isn’t just a building,” Adkins said. “It’s about placemaking.”
The project aims to reinforce Cathedral City’s historical identity as a hub of the automotive industry while preparing a new generation for careers in modern mobility. The facility is being designed with hands-on learning in mind, enabling students to train with cutting-edge tools, computerized diagnostic systems, and electric vehicle technologies. The program offers both certificates and associate degrees in automotive technology, aligning education with immediate job readiness.
“Our automotive students are dreamers and innovators. They see themselves not only as mechanics but as leaders in a rapidly changing industry,” said Adkins.
The project directly addresses the needs of both local students and employers. COD has already established partnerships with leading automotive brands, including Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, Subaru, and Audi. These relationships will support student apprenticeships, internships, and job placements. A new Director of Apprenticeships is being hired to expand these efforts, backed by a team that includes an employment engagement manager and a job specialist.
The economic development strategy is tightly woven into the curriculum. The program is tailored to ensure students graduate with certifications aligned with employer demands, particularly within Cathedral City’s robust auto sector. COD’s approach is flexible, with pathways that begin in high school through dual enrollment, continue through certification, and lead to associate degrees, with multiple on-ramps and off-ramps along the way.
“We have a pathway that meets just about every need,” Adkins said. “Whether they want to take classes in person, online, in high school, or go straight to the workforce, we serve the top 100%.”
City leaders have supported the project from the beginning. As Adkins noted, “City officials and community members have supported this project, advocated for this project, sometimes had to beg for this project.” He credited Cathedral City’s proactive stance in aligning Roadrunner Motors with broader economic development goals.
The Cathedral City City Council is pictured in a proud moment at the Roadrunner Motors groundbreaking ceremony.
Construction is on schedule and on budget, thanks to COD’s forward-thinking procurement strategy. Materials like steel, concrete, and infrastructure components were purchased in advance and stored, a move that shielded the project from inflation and supply chain disruptions.
Roadrunner Motors is already resonating with residents. Adkins shared the story of Jesse, a Cathedral City resident who lost his job but found purpose and direction at COD.
“He said, ‘COD is helping me believe in myself again, and my teachers are the best mentors I’ve ever had,’” Adkins recounted.
That personal transformation is at the heart of Roadrunner Motors’ mission. “This facility symbolizes the partnership between College of the Desert and Cathedral City, where student success and civic pride interact,” Adkins said.
In the coming years, graduates of the program will not only fill critical workforce gaps but also help sustain and expand the region’s automotive economy. From hybrid diagnostics to electric vehicle systems, Roadrunner Motors will prepare students for what’s next — and keep Cathedral City in the driver’s seat of economic growth.
“This is engagement at the highest level,” Adkins said. “And it ensures the success of both our students and this city as well.”
