A Whole New World: Student Finds New Role in Life Through Theatre, Education

Inside the Old Globe's Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Cynthia Ochoa feels as much a part of the theatre as the seats, the sets and the stage. She walks through the halls with the stories of artists, actors and directors she's worked with. She mentions the technical challenges she's faced on the many productions she's worked on as an Old Globe house manager for the past year. The magic of the theatre, to her, is both on stage and behind the scenes, and Ochoa does everything she can to protect each performance.

Men of Color Conference Inspires Southwestern College Students

Mexican-American cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz signs copies of his artwork and takes pictures with students after his keynote speech at Southwestern College's second annual Men of Color Conference.
Dr. Andre Pinesett opened up Southwestern College’s second annual Men of Color Conference with a message simple enough to fit on his T-shirt, “No excuses just dominate.” He explained to a room full of students, both male and female, how you can succeed in the face of adversity. As an African-American doctor who overcame poverty and a learning disability, it’s something he knows first-hand.

Student Workers, Volunteers Integral to Food Pantry’s Success

In March, more than 620 individual students walked into the Jag Kitchen Food Pantry to get something to eat. That same month the pantry served more than 2,180 meals, with some students attending the pantry every single day.

Architecture Student Misaki Sano Has a Design on Life

Architecture Student Misaki Sano examines shelter model.
(Chula Vista) Twenty-one year old Misaki Sano’s life has been full of unexpected twists and turns. Yet, she says, “it has led me to the place I need to be.” Sano is one of the top students in Southwestern College’s Architecture Program, “Misaki is a...

Meet the 2018 Student of Distinction Award Recipients

2018 Student of Distinction Award Recipients
It's Southwestern College's highest student honor. The Student of Distinction Award is awarded each year to 20 Southwestern College students who have excelled academically, are leaders on campus and demonstrated they're working to become the best student they can be.

Counselor Prepares to Run Boston Marathon 5 Years After Witnessing Marathon Bombing

EOPS Counselor Tayler Nichols trains for the Boston Marathon.
It was five years ago that Extended Opportunity Programs and Services Counselor Tayler Nichols was just one mile away from the Boston Marathon finish line, cheering on people from around the world finishing their 26.2-mile run. She didn’t know then that day would turn into one of the most tragic days in Boston history.

Meet Momo: Student, graphic artist, and ‘unapologetically Filipina’

Monique “Momo” Arao Garcia against a wall of the graphic work and art she's created for Southwestern College. Momo is the college's first official graphic design intern and she's been the Associated Student Organization graphic designer for almost two years.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Monique “Momo” Arao Garcia at Southwestern College, chances are that you have at least seen her work as a campus artist and designer. Take a walk through the Chula Vista campus, pick up a flyer or...

Theater Department Brings Star Power to Campus

Broadway producer Tony Vincent conducts a master class for Southwestern College students—helping them prepare for upcoming production of American Idiot.
Imagine being a college athlete and having the chance to practice with a professional. It could be any of the big names: Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant or Lionel Messi. That’s the kind of opportunity Southwestern College Theatre Department students recently had when Broadway star...

Transfer Spotlight: Angel Ramirez

Angel Ramirez had a problem. It was different than any of the other academic problems he’d faced, like graduating Hilltop High School with a 2.1 GPA or dropping out of Southwestern College when he was 18. This problem was unique to his academic career. After...

Donor Spotlight: Gabriel Gutierrez

Gabriel Gutierrez outside Chula Vista City Hall.
Gabriel Gutierrez has had many educational accomplishments after graduating Hilltop High School. He graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration. He was a part of the University of Kansas’ National Urban Fellows program where he received an executive leadership certificate.