Hello community. I am Dr. Mark Sanchez and I am honored to be the new superintendent/president at Southwestern College. It is fantastic to be back working in the community that I love so much.
This is a literal homecoming for me, as I am a proud graduate of this wonderful community college. This community has changed so much since I left in the 90s, but one thing that has not changed is the tremendous opportunity Southwestern College provides to all residents looking to improve their earning potential.
At just $46 per unit, a full-time student can attend Southwestern for $1,380 per year in small classes taught by some of the nation’s best faculty. Keep in mind, nearly 70% of our students qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses. Compare that to more than $7,600 a year to attend a California State University or more than $14,400 per year to attend a University of California campus.
For residents looking to find new skills, especially post-COVID, Southwestern College offers a host of free non-credit classes and many certificate programs that can be completed in one semester.
We know Southwestern College is a beloved institution where nearly everybody in South County has some connection to. Many residents, however, don’t know the tremendous amount of support we are now able to provide students to ensure they succeed.
We are offering financial assistance through grants, scholarships and a robust financial aid package. Students can access hours and hours of free tutoring to help through any of their classes, and we’re able to provide technology to help students complete their online courses. We know that nearly a year of learning from home has created some mental stress for many of our families. That is why we have increased our personal wellness services. Students facing food and housing insecurity can get one-on-one assistance from our full-time basic needs coordinator.
We don’t want these resources to be a secret anymore. That is one of my top priorities as the new superintendent/president. I want to work collaboratively with our entire community to connect more closely with all of you. Whether it’s through a presentation to your non-profit, or community-based organization, or a personal meeting with you as a local business owner, I want to hear how we can better serve you.
I am committed to continuing to nurture our long-standing relationships with our K-12 partners, local universities and our legislators. I also want to expand our relationships with local media. We have many wonderful stories to tell–stories of our students’ resilience and hope for their futures.
We understand these are uncertain times, yet Southwestern College has many resources available to our community. With many online courses now available, you can find your new passion, or fuel a dream–all on your schedule. You can check out a whole new set of classes beginning the first week of April. Find out more at www.swccd.edu/spring.
