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 ALC?
The Exponential Learning Academy is a yearlong Athletic Learning Community that focuses on university transfer and the student-athlete experience. The 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 English114 paired with Personal Development (PD 114). Followed up with English 115 paired with Personal Development (PD 100) during the spring semester.
ALC is a student success program aimed at enhancing academic success among student- athletes and other students enrolled at Southwestern Community College. ALC classes provide a combination of courses for student- athletes to start seeking a unique learning experience. This program pairs student-athletes with a mentor and helps to develop a sense of community amongst student athletes, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Provide pathways to successfully transition from non-transfer courses to transfer courses through an integrative approach.
- Help successfully complete college English requirements within two years while completing additional general education requirements.
- Teaching Personal Development (PD) classes in a learning community.
- Provide in class advising/workshops in learning community classroom.
- Counseling appointments to develop an educational plan and an educational goals quantitative report.
- Field trips to universities.
- Collaborate with classmates during class discussions and assignments (group work).
- Attend and participate in EVERY (LC) class.
The Athletic Counselors at Southwestern College is responsible for monitoring the academic progress of each student-athlete. They work closely with student-athletes as they explore their career goals. Student-athletes are also monitored for their eligibility status for transfer towards NCAA/NAIA institutes.
ALC Welcomes all student-athletes: The student-athlete Learning Community is open to all student-athletes at Southwestern College and is designed to assist student-athletes to learn college and life skills. This will prepare our scholars for transfer success!
Benefits to Students
ALC Mission Statement
Our mission is to increase the number of Student-Athletes transferring to four-year colleges and universities! We thrive to assist Student-Athletes 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. The courses are UC and CSU transfer credits. - Are there any prerequisites?
Yes, English 115: College Composition Reading And Writing Analytically has the prerequisites of English 114: Introduction to College Composition.
ALC Events
- Beginning of the Semester Retreat
- College Visits: San Diego State University (SDSU) & University of California San Diego (UCSD) and University of San Diego (USD)
- Southwestern College (SWC) Community Events
- Special Guest Speaker Series
Interested? Please make contact with your Head Coach and Athletic Counselor or come to the SWC Counseling Center and ask to meet with our Athletic Counselor. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Center, or call (619) 421-6700 x5240.
B2LA Services
Support. Growth. Success.
- Counseling
- Academic, Career, & Personal Mentoring
- Career Development
- Opportunities for internships
- Leadership Opportunities
- Eligibility
- Current Southwestern College student
The need for B2LA
Black Brotherhood Leadership Association (B2LA) was created in 2016 to address the systemic challenges facing African American male students at Southwestern College, as well as provide them with the necessary resources to excel academically and personally. B2LA is comprised of an on- campus leadership team of administrators and counselors whose sole intent is to increase the retention, persistence, and transfer rates among Southwestern College’s African American males. B2LA’s mission is to focus on: personal development, academic excellence, mentoring, and community services. Through these components, B2LA strives to foster a sense of empowerment among its members, which in turn will enable them to improve their social and academic skills, and transform them into the community and global leaders that they aspire to become.
B2LA Mission Statement
The Black Brotherhood Leadership Association (B²LA) is an alliance of black male student leaders that focus on academic success, personal growth, career development and community outreach. Through open communication, mentorship, accountability, and academic discipline, B²LA is dedicated to increasing retention, graduation and transfer rates of black males at Southwestern College. B²LA strives to provide a safe environment for black males to address challenges in life, build identity, and overcome personal daily obstacles.
Personal Growth
Sense of belonging and support
Accountability/responsibilityAcademic Success
Provide ongoing tutoring and academic counseling
Improve academic success for African American male students
Increase transfer and completion ratesMentoring
Career guidance from diverse professionals as well as campus faculty.
Community Service
It is paramount that B²LA members share their time and talents in giving back to the community.
Contact
- Abdishakur Omar, Counselor/Coordinator
aomar@swccd.edu - Rasheed Aden, Counselor
aaden@swccd.edu
- Counseling
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.
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.
Benefits:
- Enrollment Priority
- Designated Counselor
- Career and Educational Planning
- Designated Peer Mentor
- Workshops and Activities
- Personal Development Lifelong Success
- Special Events throughout the year
- Student Retention
Eligibility
New student with no prior college experience or recent high school graduate
Where do you begin?
Participate in the FYE Online Orientation and sign the FYE Student Agreement. Please complete the FYE Interest form and we will email you information on how to participate in this great program.
FYE Video Presentation
Southwestern College, First Year Experience - FYE
Peer Mentor Testimonials
Our Commitment
Gary Brown, FYE Specialist & Yesenia Vargas, FYE Coordinator, Counselor
Contact us:
Virtual Office through Cranium Cafe (Virtual Office)-” knock on door” of front office staff
Email: swcfye@swccd.edu
Phone: 619-421-6700 ext. 5625
Social Media
What is HUBU?
A program designed to promote the personal and academic success of African American and Latino male students. The HUBU mission is to increase faculty and student interaction; promote community, cultural and gender identity development, and encourage peer-to-peer interaction between students.
Benefits:
- Personalized tutoring and mentoring
- Counseling support and Career Guidance
- University tours, workshops, seminars, and cultural events
- Priority registration and counseling
- Develop supportive and lasting bonds with classmates
Prospective students: If you are interested in learning more about HUBU, come to the counseling center to meet with the HUBU Counselor.
What is PAIR?
A Learning Community which links or "pairs" a required course such as math, English or reading with Learning Skills 116. LS116 is a two-unit transfer course that teaches essential strategies for academic and personal success. It promotes and reinforces learning and interpersonal skills and exposes students to a wide array of college support services.
PAIR students
- Succeed academically
- Receive an in-class tutor
- Have priority counseling
- Develop supportive and lasting bonds with classmates
Prospective students: If you are interested in learning more about PAIR, come to the counseling center to meet with the PAIR Counselor.
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.
What is Title V Puertas al Futuro?
The Title V Puertas al Futuro (Doorways to the Future) Project is funded by a five-year grant from the Federal Department of Education and intends to strengthen Southwestern College by implementing research-based best practices to improve the performance of underprepared Latino students so they will stay in school and complete their educational goals whether achieving a two-year degree or transferring to a four-year institution. Most academic programs and services in this project are meant to support students in basic skills courses. A description of Title V Puertas al Futuro programs and services can be found below.
For further information, please call Martha Garcia, Director, at (619) 421-6700 x5619.
Power Study Program (PSP) Tutoring
This program offers FREE in-class embedded tutors and out-of-class tutors for students enrolled in Basic Skills English/Writing, Reading and Math Courses. For further information on this program contact Shawna Hutchins-Williams (619) 421-6700 x6662.
ESL Success Project
This program offers a learning community, ESL Advocate, staff development for faculty and community building activities, success skills workshops and referrals to counseling and tutoring. The ESL Advocate is a catalyst to help students connect with college programs, services and courses so that student’s limited English language skills to not block their success. For more information, contact ESL Advocate, Angelina Barrerra at (619) 421-6700 x5890.
Proyecto ESL
Este programa ofrece una comunidad de aprendizaje, una Especialista Defensora para el Estudiante de Ingles como Segunda Lengua, desarrollo profesional para profesores, actividades para los estudiantes ESL, talleres, referencias para consejería y tutoría. La Defensora ayuda a los estudiantes encontrar programas del colegio, servicios y cursos para que el alumno de limitados conocimientos del idioma inglés logren éxito. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con la defensora, Angelina Barrerra al (619) 421-6700 x5890.
Statway
The Math Department is working with the Carnegie Foundation to implement an accelerated course that teaches elementary algebra through introductory statistics in a two-course sequence. A student usually takes up to five courses to get from developmental math to college-level math in a regular non-accelerated course sequence. For further information, please contact Silvia Nadalet, Math Co-Chair, at (619) 421-6700 x5970.
Additional Academic & Student Support Services
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring provides students with the opportunity to access tutoring in math and other subjects at times that fit their schedules to include evenings and weekends. For further information, please contact John Rieder, Learning Assistance Coordinator, at (619) 421-6700 x5558.
School & Community Outreach
The college outreach program is strengthening its outreach efforts to its primary feeder high schools in the Sweetwater School District as well as to the Latino Community. A special effort will be made to conduct outreach activities for Latino and other under-represented males because we have learned that these students are achieving at a lower rate that the general student population. For further information, please contact Dean Aragoza, Interim Dean of Counseling, at (619) 482-6379.
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 COMM 103 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.