Student of Distinction Award
The Student of Distinction Award or SODA is considered the highest award granted to a Southwestern College student. Every year, twenty (20) students are selected from nominations submitted by current SWC Administrator, Faculty, or Classified staff. Students cannot nominate themselves or a fellow student.
Nomination will be open from February 1-28, 2025.
Students nominated must have demonstated (a) Academic Excellence (b) Leadership through campus or community involvement (c) Commitment to a goal or purpose.
A Student of Distinction Awardee will receive $1,000 scholarship, SODA medal, and certificate, presented during the Student Awards Ceremony.
Students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a current SWC student enrolled in at least 6 (six) units during the Spring 2024 semester
- Must have a minimum of 30 units complteted at SWC
- Must have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 at SWC
- Must have a Student Education Plan (SEP) on file as proof of plans to transfer or complete a program*
- Must not have received a Bachelor's degree or higher
- Must not be a past SODA awardee
- Must not have any disciplinary record at SWC
- Students under the Dual Enrollment programs (High School Special/CCAP**) are not eligible
for nomination
*Students participating in a career education and/or short-term certificate programs are exempt from this requirement and still eligible to be nominated for SODA.
**CCAP (California College and Career Access Pathways)
To verify a student’s eligibility before nominating, please email your student’s name and SWC ID number to Jenny Davis.
Please use this link to officially nominate your student: Student Nomination
- 2024 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2023 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2022 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2021 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2020 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2019 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2018 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2017 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2016 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2015 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2014 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2013 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2012 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2011 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2010 Student of Distinction Awardees
- 2009 Student of Distinction Awardees