LGBTQIA+ Resources
Southwestern College has a host of resources to help students find success and strengthen their voice. We have advocates who will walk beside you throughout your journey.
Student Support Resources
Southwestern College offers formal student support groups to help every step of your journey.
SWC Pride
This group of leaders will help guide and inform the development of short term and long-term collaborations to support LGBTQIA+ students succeed within Southwestern College. For more information, contact Carla Sevilla, csevilla@swccd.edu.
Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA)
Southwestern College SAGA brings together LGBTQIA+ youth and straight allies to raise awareness of different sexual orientations and gender identities. By advocating for equal treatment for youth of all sexual and gender identities, SWC’s SAGA aims to create a school environment free of phobic sexual, verbal, and physical harassment for all students.
CHEL Learning Community
CHEL is an Aztec/Nahuatl word that means, "rainbow." Our Learning Community focus will be on the LGBTQIA+ life experience and issues. We will also focus on topics and discussions related to the pursuit of higher education.
This group of faculty, classified professionals, managers and allies are here to support Southwestern College’s queer-identifying students in their morale, safety, and, importantly, their academic success. Click on the banner above to connect with our employees.
Preferred Name
What is the Preferred Name?
Southwestern College recognizes that many students use preferred names rather than legal names to identify themselves. SWC students now have the ability to indicate a preferred name on the SWC Application or by contacting the Admissions & Records office.
How do I indicate that I want to use a Preferred Name?
Visit the Admissions and Records Office in the Cesar Chavez Student Services Building, located on the first floor.
Are students required to select a preferred name?
No. If a student does not select a preferred name, the student’s legal name will appear on all college documentation.
Where will the preferred name appear?
- Class rosters
- Wait lists
- Grade rosters
- Canvas
- SARS Appointments
- MySWC Portal
Where will the legal name still appear even if I select a preferred name?
Some offices are required by federal requirements to use only the legal name. These offices are:
- Student Health Services
- Financial Aid Office
- International Students
- Transcripts (official and unofficial)
- Diplomas
Are there any other recommendations? Where can I go for support and questions?
It is recommended, but not required, that students who use a preferred name email each of their instructors at the beginning of the semester to introduce their preferred name and, if applicable, their preferred pronouns.
SWC Gender Neutral Restrooms
SWC Gender Neutral Restrooms Locations at the Chula Vista Campus
- Library/Learning Resource Center
- Building 64 ( 2nd floor)
- César E. Chávez Student Services Building 68 ( 1st Floor)
- DeVore Stadium
- Building 71 Wellness & Aquatics Complex
- Building 70
- Building 53A
- Building 60 Math & Science Building
- Building 22 College Police Building
Features
Hotlines
Contact the Trevor Project by calling 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 for 24/7 information and suicide prevention resources. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline is available from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. at 1-800-273-8255. Or you can call or text the Victims of Crime Resource Center (https://1800victims.org/) at 1-800-842-8467 or chat online for information about LGTBQ rights, legal protections and local resources.
Southwestern College Liaison for LGBTQIA+ Needs
Guadalupe R. Corona, Ed.D.
Director, Office of Student Equity Programs and Services
Office 26-120
900 Otay Lakes Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-482-6544
gcorona@swccd.edu
Southwestern College is committed to providing an environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for its students and employees through academic programs, student services, and employee development (Board Policies 7100 and 3430).
California Education Code Section 66271.2 states that the Governing Board of each California community college designate an employee as a point of contact for the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faculty, staff, and students. It further notes that “at a minimum, the name and contact information of that designated employee shall be published on the Internet Web site for the respective campus and shall be included in any printed and Internet-based campus directories.”