Southwestern College’s EOPS Largest in California

Matthew Manrique, a biology major, is one of thousands of students supported by EOPS through book services, dedicated counseling, priority registration and more.
For students like Matthew Manrique, Southwestern College’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is critical to his success as a student. Manrique, his mom and brother left Colombia three years ago because of scarce job opportunities and almost no higher education opportunities for folks...

ASO President Christian Sanchez Prioritizes Student Success, Mentorship

When Christian Sanchez started as a student for the third time at Southwestern College in the summer of 2018, he was unsure of his academic future and had no interest in being involved on campus. Sanchez had enrolled in Southwestern College twice before, but both...

Southwestern College’s Puente Project Celebrates 30 Years of Student Success

The 2019 Puente Project cohort of students with Puente counselor David Ramirez.
The Southwestern College Puente Project is celebrating 30 years with a special event Saturday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. on the Chula Vista campus. The Treintañera celebration and fundraiser will feature Puente alumni, special guests, current Southwestern College Puentistas, the Southwestern College mariachi, dinner...

Jonathan “J.D.” White Continues to Serve Through Southwestern College Veterans’ Resource Center

Jonathan "J.D." White, coordinator of the Veterans’ Resource Center, during Southwestern College's annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 8, 2018.
While he may be officially retired from the military, Jonathan “J.D.” White continues to serve. Throughout his 20 years in the United State Marine Corps, serving others became second nature to him because of the strong sense of honor, courage and commitment the Marine...

Graduate Ivonne Raya Dedicates her Education, Success to her Departed Mother

When Ivonne Raya walks across the DeVore Stadium stage on May 24 during the 58th annual Commencement Ceremony, there will be one person missing from the audience: her mother. Just less than one month ago, when students are trying to complete final projects, prepare for...

Southwestern College Plays Vital Role in Math Professor’s Equation to Success

Math Professor Youssef Francis teaches his differential equations class at Southwestern College.
It was late January 2004 when then 18-year-old Youssef Francis received news that his green card was ready, and he and his family could immigrate from Beirut, Lebanon to America. Described as one of the happiest moments in his life, Francis knew that better...

SWC Cares Closet Helps Students Dress to Impress

Emily Lynch Morissette inside the SWC Cares Closet, a mini-boutique for students who need free professional business clothing.
The SWC Cares Closet is a mini-boutique serving all Southwestern College students who need professional clothing assistance. The Cares Closet is located in room 104B on the Chula Vista campus.

Paramedic Program Celebrates 30 Years of Training First-Responders

Paramedic student Michelle Bostrom works with other students and her professor on cardiac patient assessment.
It’s a busy day for students of the Southwestern College Paramedic Program at the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa. They’re on a strict schedule, and four Southwestern College paramedic professors and staff members are leading them through real-world scenarios and workshops they’ll encounter...

Chula Vista Veteran of the Year is Proud Southwestern College Graduate

Southwestern College alumnus Chris Lawerence is Chula Vista's Veteran of the Year. Lawrence is a Purple Heart recipient, a police officer with the Chula Vista Police Department and a graduate of Southwestern College's Police Academy.
In 2007, Chris Lawrence had been in about his fifth month of deployment in the Al Anabar province of Iraq when an enemy improvised explosive device went off and destroyed the bridge he and his squad of about 14 soldiers were walking over. “I was...

Accounting Students Accrue Competitive Experience, Exposure Through Alumni Guidance

Southwestern College alumnus and EY tax professional gives Brittany Tavai a tour of the San Diego EY offices. Tavai was one of four Southwestern College students chosen for EY's prestigious Elements of Success program.
It was 4:30 a.m. on a Saturday in September when Gustavo Perez, treasurer of the Southwestern College Foundation and proud alumnus, drove onto the Chula Vista campus to pick up three students to take to Los Angeles. Perez was taking these students to the prestigious...