Southwestern College (California)

Community college in Chula Vista, California, US From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Southwestern College is a public community college in Chula Vista, California. It was founded in 1961.[1] It is part of the Southwestern Community College District, itself a part of the California Community Colleges system. It has an enrollment of 25,228 across all its campuses within San Diego County, as of 2023.[2] It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.[3]

TypePublic community college
Established1961
PresidentMark Sanchez
Undergraduates27,000 + (2015)
Quick facts Type, Established ...
Southwestern College
Southwestern College's main campus
TypePublic community college
Established1961
PresidentMark Sanchez
Undergraduates27,000 + (2015)
Location
Chula Vista, California
,
United States
Campus
Athletics15 teams
Colors   Gold & Maroon
MascotJaguars
Websitewww.swccd.edu
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History

The school opened as Southwestern Junior College in 1961 with William Kepley as its president. The dean of admissions was Saxon Wright. The Chula Vista Star-News reported that 15 students had registered within the first half hour the dean of admission's office was open, with Oliver Pittenger, a graduate of the nearby Chula Vista High School being the first person to enroll.[1][4]

In 2022–2023, enrollment exceeded 25,000 students across all campuses.[citation needed]

Academics

The campus is a feeder school for students hoping to transfer to the two local public universities, the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, and also private institutions.

In 2021, Southwestern was chosen as one of the eight campuses in the state to offer a "competency-based" associate's degree program without the need for grades or mandatory attendance on the student's part. Southwestern chose auto tech to be the degree they offer under this program.[5]

Specialty programs

In August 2025, Southwestern College partnered with the Sweetwater Union High School District to establish the Options Middle College High School (OMCHS), a WASC-accredited public high school located on the Southwestern College campus in Chula Vista.[6] With an inaugural class of 55 students in grades 11–12.[7] It is the first high school in the South Bay region to be located on a college campus. The program allows students to earn college credit from Southwestern College while completing their high school diploma.[8]

Athletics

Southwestern College is a founding member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) and competes in 11 intercollegiate sports, including:[9]

The college's athletic teams are known as the Jaguars. From 1961 until 2001, the teams were represented by the Apaches mascot.[citation needed]

Southwestern College's football stadium also serves as the home field for Bonita Vista High School football games.[citation needed]

Facilities

The campus features a variety of athletic facilities, including:

  • Artificial turf football field
  • Half-size artificial turf practice field
  • Baseball stadium
  • Dirt running track
  • Soccer field
  • Softball field
  • Football stadium with weight room overlooking the field
  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Basketball gymnasium
  • Five full-size tennis courts

Many of these facilities are also utilized during the week and weekends as youth soccer fields for players aged 6–18.[citation needed]

Notable alumni

Notable staff

References

External links

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