SWC News Center

 
Chavez building

From Uncertainty to Purpose: My Journey as a First-Gen DACA Student

By: Daniel Estrada

Who am I?

My name is Daniel Estrada, a former Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student, and I am a first-generation college student. My journey to Southwestern College (SWC) has been a metamorphosis experience: a path of growth, transformation, opportunities and rediscovery (...)

SWC student, Jose Jackson, speaking at the 2025 Juneteenth Flag Raising event.

SWC student, Jose Jackson, Reflects on Belonging at Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony

By: Ko Inouye

As the Juneteenth flag rose into the sky at Southwestern College (SWC), student speaker Jose Jackson took a moment to reflect on what the day—and the college community—means to him (...)

SWC Puente student, Kevin Vizcarra, speaking at the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration event.

Navigating the Unknown: A Latino Student's Journey Through Higher Education

By: Kevin A. Vizcarra

I was born in National City, United States of America (U.S.A.), but due to my family’s circumstances, I spent my entire childhood and adolescence in Tijuana, México. I grew up immersed in Mexican culture, convinced my life would remain there, surrounded by friends, my volleyball club, (...)

Group photo of Southwestern College and California State University of San Marcos leadership with signed memorandum of understanding.

School Ties: SWC and CSU San Marcos Bring Bachelor Degrees to Chula Vista

By: Stephanie Kingston

In a significant move to enhance higher education access in South County, Southwestern College (SWC) and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) announced a partnership to offer bachelor's degree programs directly in Chula Vista (...)

SWC student, Rita Montano (left) with fellow Bayan Learning Community students.

From Silence to Strength: Reclaiming My Cultural Identity

By: Rita Montano

As a second-generation United States citizen and the first in my family to graduate high school and attend college, I’ve had to navigate unfamiliar systems, advocate for myself, and build a path without a roadmap (...)