.gif)
Southwestern College (California)
Encyclopedia
Southwestern College is a public, two-year community college
located in the city of Chula Vista
, California
. Southwestern College's football stadium hosts Bonita Vista High School
's football games. Founded in 1961, Southwestern College serves approximately 19,000 students annually, while over half a million students have attended the campus since its inception.
The college began offering classes to 1,657 students in 1961, with temporary quarters in Chula Vista High School. Groundbreaking for the present 156 acres (63.1 ha) campus was in 1963 and by September 1964, initial construction was completed and classes were being held at the new campus on the corner of Otay Lakes Road and East H Street in Chula Vista.
In 1988, Southwestern College established its Higher Education Center at San Ysidro on the memorial site of the McDonald’s tragedy. The college again expanded its off-campus locations in 1998 by establishing the Higher Education Center at National City, and in 2007, the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa officially opened.
In addition to its centers, Southwestern College also provides off-campus classes at several extension sites throughout the district and operates an Aquatic Center in Coronado in conjunction with the California Department of Boating and Waterways. Current enrollment—at all locations—exceeds 19,000 students. More than a half-million students have attended Southwestern College since opening its doors 45 years ago.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has continuously accredited Southwestern College. The college offers a comprehensive curriculum, preparing students for transfer to four-year colleges or universities as well as preparing students for jobs and career advancement. Of the more than 1,100 community colleges nationwide, Southwestern College consistently places in the top 100 in the number of associate degrees conferred. The college mascot is the Jaguar
, changed from an Apache
amid local and national concerns about using people as mascots.
for students hoping to transfer to the two local public universities, University of California, San Diego
and San Diego State University
, and also many other private institutions.
, and the ACLU, became involved in an effort to conform college policies on free speech to court decisions and the Bill of Rights. The professors have since returned to work.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
located in the city of Chula Vista
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Southwestern College's football stadium hosts Bonita Vista High School
Bonita Vista High School
Bonita Vista High School is a public, four year high school located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Bonita Vista High School is one of the few schools that has both the IB and AP programs. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, and currently has about 2,800 students....
's football games. Founded in 1961, Southwestern College serves approximately 19,000 students annually, while over half a million students have attended the campus since its inception.
History
The Southwestern Community College District, located south of San Diego and extending to the U.S.—Mexico border, is one of 72 community college districts in the California Community College system. It serves as the primary source of college education for approximately 400,000 residents of the South San Diego County area including the communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Nestor, Otay Mesa, Palm City, San Ysidro, Sunnyside, and Coronado.The college began offering classes to 1,657 students in 1961, with temporary quarters in Chula Vista High School. Groundbreaking for the present 156 acres (63.1 ha) campus was in 1963 and by September 1964, initial construction was completed and classes were being held at the new campus on the corner of Otay Lakes Road and East H Street in Chula Vista.
In 1988, Southwestern College established its Higher Education Center at San Ysidro on the memorial site of the McDonald’s tragedy. The college again expanded its off-campus locations in 1998 by establishing the Higher Education Center at National City, and in 2007, the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa officially opened.
In addition to its centers, Southwestern College also provides off-campus classes at several extension sites throughout the district and operates an Aquatic Center in Coronado in conjunction with the California Department of Boating and Waterways. Current enrollment—at all locations—exceeds 19,000 students. More than a half-million students have attended Southwestern College since opening its doors 45 years ago.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has continuously accredited Southwestern College. The college offers a comprehensive curriculum, preparing students for transfer to four-year colleges or universities as well as preparing students for jobs and career advancement. Of the more than 1,100 community colleges nationwide, Southwestern College consistently places in the top 100 in the number of associate degrees conferred. The college mascot is the Jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
, changed from an Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
amid local and national concerns about using people as mascots.
Academic offerings
The college offers approximately 285 associate degree and certificate options and ranks consistently in the top 100 in the number of associate degrees conferred among community colleges nationwide. The campus is also a feeder schoolFeeder school
Feeder school is a name applied to schools, colleges, universities, or other educational institutions that provide a significant number of graduates who intend to continue their studies at specific schools, or even in specific fields....
for students hoping to transfer to the two local public universities, University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
and San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, and also many other private institutions.
Recent controversy
Southwestern College was in the news after the college administration placed four professors on paid administrative leave after they attended a student protest against 20-30% cuts in course offerings on the main campus for Spring 2010. The Foundation for Individual Rights in EducationFoundation for Individual Rights in Education
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is a non-profit group founded in 1999 and focused on civil liberties in academia in the United States...
, and the ACLU, became involved in an effort to conform college policies on free speech to court decisions and the Bill of Rights. The professors have since returned to work.
Athletics
Southwestern College is in the All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference . Southwestern College currently competes in 10 sports which include:- Baseball
- Football
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Water Polo
- Volleyball
- Swim and Dive
Notable alumni
- Brian BilbrayBrian BilbrayBrian Phillip Bilbray is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2006, and previously for the 49th district from 1995 to 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. Bilbray is Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus and a member of the influential...
, Member of the United States House of Representatives--California's 50th Congressional District, Politician - John Fox, Professional Football Coach
- Ogemdi NwagbuoOgemdi NwagbuoOgemdi Sharron Nwagbuo is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State...
, Professional Football Player - J. Michael StraczynskiJ. Michael StraczynskiJoseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
, American writer and television producer - Julieta VenegasJulieta VenegasJulieta Venegas Percevault , known professionally as Julieta Venegas, is a Mexican singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer, who sings pop-rock in Spanish. She speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently. She has a twin sister, Yvonne, who is a photographer...
, Singer