Learning Communities
What is a Learning Community?
Learning Communities are linked classes taught by trained faculty members who combine the content of the linked courses so that learning becomes easier and more relevant for the student. Teams of students share the same classes, and, with the support of their instructors and counselor, work together toward meeting the goal of educational success. Learning Communities may offer special workshops, field trips, and/or activities which make the classes more enjoyable, productive, and social. Come to the Counseling Center and ask to speak to a counselor who can assist you with any of the below programs.
What is Bayan?
Bayan is a Tagalog word that means “home”. This learning community provides a home
for all students that want to learning about the Filipino-American experience through
literature and history. A learning community is a link of two or more classes that
assist you with your college and transfer success. This is a ONE YEAR Commitment!
The two linked classes for fall semester are English 115 paired with Personal Development
100. Followed up with English 116 paired with Personal Development 114 during the
spring semester.
Bayan Welcomes Everyone
Bayan is open to all students and is designed to assist students to learn college and life skills. This will prepare our scholars for transfer success!
Benefits to Students
- Make lifelong friends
- Learn in a supportive environment
- Are recognized as leaders and scholars
- Visit college campuses
- Succeed academically
- Gain appreciation for one's cultural identity
- Explore issues minority students face in college
- Explore and learn more about the Filipino/Filipino-American experience
- Priority Counseling
- Participate in culturally-enriching activities
- Make university contacts
- Learn strategies for success in college and in life
- Priority Registration
- Caring Scholars and Professors
- Create a successful transfer plan
- Become part of the college community
Bayan History
Bayan was founded in 2006 by Professors, Maria Abuan, M.S. and Henry Aronson, M.S., at Southwestern Community College. They collaborated to create the first Fil- Am Student focused learning community in Southern California. These two inspirational leaders wanted to acknowledge the issues that Filipino-American students faced in higher education. They wanted to challenge college students to learn about Fil-Am issues through a cultural context presented via Fil-Am history and cultural literature written by Fil-Am authors. Scholars in this program are encouraged to create a supportive and intellectual learning environment. As well, these scholars create study groups, work on Barkada (Team) projects, and cultivate lifelong friendships.
Bayan Mission Statement
Our mission is to increase the number of Filipino/Filipino-American students transferring to four-year colleges and universities! We thrive to assist Bayan Scholars to gain a better understanding of their identity in order to foster a stronger sense of navigating through higher education in the pursuit of college transfer achievement and lifelong success!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I take one of the two classes only?
No. You must be enrolled in both courses. - Are these classes transferrable?
Yes. All coursework are UC and CSU transfer credits. - Are there any prerequisites?
Yes. English 115 requires English 114 or English 99 or direct placement into English 115.
Bayan Events
- Beginning of the Semester Retreat
- Fil-Am Movie Series
- Amigo: Film based on the Fil-Am War
- The Debut – Coming of Age movie about the rejection of the Filipino culture and family
- Documented – Documentary by Juan Antonio Vargas
- Silent Sacrifices
- Miss Representation
- The Mask You Live In
- College Visits: SDSU, UCSD and USD
- Community Events
- Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS SD)
- San Diego Asian Film Festival
- Special Guest Speaker Series
- Evelina Galang – author of “Her Wild American Self”
- Ella De Castro Baron – Author of “Itchy Brown Girl”
- Dr. Dina Maramba – Author of The “Other Students”
Interested? Complete the Eligibility Application or come to the SWC Counseling Center and ask to meet with our Bayan Counselor. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Center, or call (619) 421-6700 x5240.
It is with great excitement that we share our new Learning Community, CHEL with you!! 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.
There are many benefits for joining the CHEL Learning Community:
- First 15 students will be loaned a laptop while they are in the program
- Priority Registration
- Academic planning and overall support
- Make lifelong friends
- Learn in a supportive environment
- Explore issues LGBTQIA+ students face in college
- Succeed academically and personally
- Create a sense of belonging on campus
Our learning community welcomes both LGBTQIA+ community members and our allies. The year-long program will include culturally-enriching activities, life-changing experiences, and meaningful workshops. We look forward to being part of your educational and personal journey.
Contact: Kimi Rodriguez-McSwain, Coordinator/Counselor
619-421-6700 ext 5231
The FYE program is designed to assist students through their first year in college. Dedicated counselors and peer mentors will assist and guide FYE students through the college process, providing encouragement and support during the important first year of college.
FYE Interest Form
Please complete the FYE Interest form and we will email you information on how to participate in this great program.
Note: FYE will only accept Fall semester applications.
What are the benefits of joining FYE?
Enrollment Priority - Having enrollment priority is essential especially when SWC receives over 5,000 new students per academic year who are competing for classes. Be one of the first to enroll in your classes with this benefit!
Designated Counselor - Your assigned counselor will assist you with your academic, personal and career planning. You will be provided with a Student Education Plan which outlines all of your courses you need to take to complete your associate degree or transfer to the university.
Career and Educational Planning - We will assist you in planning for your future career goals and make sure you are on the right path. If you are undecided on your major your FYE counselor will guide you through your career planning decision.
Designated Peer Mentor - All new students need guidance in transitioning into college for the first time, and having a peer mentor plays an important role in their success. Our mentors will help ease the fear of being a freshman student by providing them with resources by getting them involved with activities and events as well as being their college best friend.
Workshops and Activities- Get involved in college! By attending success workshops and events, it will not only help you become a better student, but also learn new skills.
Personal Development Lifelong Success Class- Applies physiological, social, and psychological principles to college, work and life success. Uses assessment of personality, interests, skills, and values to identify major and career options. Uses learning styles, psychological principles of learning, life management, and creative and critical thinking techniques to promote health and lifelong learning. [
Student Retention: Students who participate in FYE are most likely to graduate or transfer sooner.
Eligibility
New student with no prior college experience or recent high school graduate
FYE Video Presentation
Southwestern College, First Year Experience - FYE
Contact us:
Virtual Office through Cranium Cafe (Virtual Office)
Email: swcfye@swccd.eduPhone: 619-421-6700 ext. 5625
Social Media
Instagram
Yesenia Vargas, FYE Counselor/Faculty Coordinator
yvargas@swccd.edu
Gary Brown, FYE Coordinator
gbrown@swccd.edu
Peer Mentors
Gustavo Marquez
Major Social Science, SDSU Student
Mari Germono, Nursing Major Nursing
The PUENTE Project is an academic preparation program that has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California's educationally disadvantaged students. Its mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who:
- Enroll in four-year colleges and universities
- Earn college degrees
- Return to the community as mentors and leaders of future generations
PUENTE Project History
PUENTE was founded in 1981 by the Co-Directors, Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath, at Chabot College in Hayward, California. The Project's mission was to increase the number of Mexican-American/Latino students transferring to four-year colleges and universities. Since then, PUENTE has expanded to 57 community college and 36 high schools in California.
Outstanding Results
Community colleges with PUENTE programs transfer significantly more Latino students to the University of California than colleges without PUENTE. Southwestern College PUENTE Project has successfully transferred hundreds of students to major universities and colleges.
PUENTE – What is it all about?
PUENTE is open to all students and is designed to meet the needs of students from populations with low rates of enrollment at four-year colleges. PUENTE Project Faculty recruit students from high schools, our own community college campus and student orientations. Students who are college bound enroll in the program by attending a campus orientation, and completing and application and interview process. Students must be eligible for English 114 in the fall of the academic year. Students come from a range of backgrounds and are usually the first in their families to attend college.
Students in PUENTE work closely with their counselor, English instructor, and mentor to prepare for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. PUENTE students will participate in the following three main components:Counseling
PUENTE students take a 3 unit, transferable Personal Development 100, College Success Skills class in the fall. Additionally, they work individually with the PUENTE counselor until they graduate from Southwestern College, exploring career options, developing an academic educational plan, and identifying lifetime goals. Students visit UC and CSU campuses and attend an annual PUENTE Motivational Conference.
English Instruction
PUENTE students take two consecutive writing classes, English 114 and English 115 with the same PUENTE English Instructor. These classes provide a supportive environment for PUENTE students to build confidence in their writing skills. The content of both courses focuses on Latino/a authors and issues.
Mentoring
Each PUENTE student is matched with a mentor who is a businessperson or professional in the local community. Students and their mentors commit to a minimum of nine hours of contact during the academic year. Mentors share their knowledge and experiences with students. The network of trained PUENTE mentors provides many resources for the PUENTE students, their families, their colleges, and the community.
Benefits to Students
- Join the PUENTE Club
- Become part of the San Diego PUENTE Project Alliance
- Are recognized as leaders and scholars
- Visit college campuses
- Succeed academically
- Belong to a statewide network of leaders and professionals
- Meet professionals in our community
- Graduate from four-year colleges and universities
- Develop and improve reading and writing skills
- Network with students from throughout Southern California
- Participate in culturally-enriching activities
- Make university contacts
- Create a successful transfer plan
- Learn strategies for success in college and in life
- Meet new Friends
- Become part of the college community
Interested? Fill out this Student Information Form or come to the SWC Counseling Center and ask to meet with our PUENTE Counselor. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Center, or call (619) 421-6700 x5240.
UMOJA (A Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students.
Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through a curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas.
Umoja links the following courses in a cohort yearlong model:
Fall Spring English 115 English 116 PD 100 PD 114 What is UMOJA?
Umoja is a year-long learning community that focuses on university transfer and the
African American experience. A learning community is a link of two or more classes
that assist you with your college and transfer success. This is a ONE YEAR Commitment!
The two linked classes for fall semester are English 115 paired with Personal Development
100. Followed up with English 116 paired with Personal Development 114 during the
spring semester.
UMOJA Welcomes Everyone
UMOJA is open to all students and is designed to assist students to learn college and life skills. This will prepare our scholars for transfer success!
Benefits to Students
- Make lifelong friends
- Learn in a supportive environment
- Are recognized as leaders and scholars
- Visit college campuses
- Succeed academically
- Gain appreciation for one's cultural identity
- Explore issues minority students face in college
- Explore and learn more about the African-American experience
- Priority Counseling
- Participate in culturally-enriching activities
- Make university contacts
- Learn strategies for success in college and in life
- Priority Registration
- Caring Scholars and Professors
- Create a successful transfer plan
- Become part of the college community
UMOJA Mission Statement
Our mission is to increase the number of African-American students transferring to four-year colleges and universities! We thrive to assist Umoja Scholars to gain a better understanding of their identity in order to foster a stronger sense of navigating through higher education in the pursuit of college transfer achievement and lifelong success!
Student Empowerment
The Umoja Community fosters civic engagement so that all participants, students and educators alike, integrate learning and service. (add umoja club social justice, conferences)
Culturally Responsive Practices
We provide support and resources to help educators and counselors guide their students from A to Z.
Transfer Readiness
Umoja community programs have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving the retention and success of African American students. Umoja students embark on multiple transfer tours such as the Historically Black College Tour, campus trips to UCLA, UCSD, UC Riverside and other Umoja affiliated campus trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I take one of the two classes only?
No. You must be enrolled in both courses. - Are these classes transferrable?
Yes. All coursework are UC and CSU transfer credits. - Are there any prerequisites?
Yes. English 116 requires English 115 and reading proficiency or a passing grade in Reading 158.
UMOJA Events
- Beginning of the Semester Retreat
- College Visits: SDSU, UCSD and USD
- Community Events
- Special Guest Speaker Series
Interested? Complete the Eligibility Application or Come to the SWC Counseling Center and ask to meet with our Umoja Counselor. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Center, or call (619) 421-6700 x5240.