Higher Education Center at National City

880 National City Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(619) 216-6665
www.swccd.edu/hecnc

Established in 1998, the Higher Education Center at National City (HEC, NC) opened with more than 600 students registered for one or more of the 39 classes offered at the Center. Today, the Center enjoys an enrollment of over 3,000 students per semester. The Centers' 200-plus courses offer a full array of classes for students who wish to pursue an associate degree, complete general education and major preparation requirements for transfer, and/or develop occupational skills for employment in fields such as Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Office Professions, and Optical Technician (non-credit). Most recently, the Center began a Weekend College – offering general education courses, career education programs, and a variety of fitness and enrichment classes on Saturdays and Sundays in various modalities, such as in-person or hybrid/online.

To help students achieve success in their courses and future careers, the Center also provides the necessary student support services on-site.  Students have access to admissions and records services, counseling, tutoring, financial aid, and disability support services. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art facility houses a dental hygiene clinic open to the public for no-cost care, a library, a health services center, a student center, a food pantry (JAG Kitchenette), and science, medical, and computer labs.

The scope of the Higher Education Center at National City also includes the Restorative Justice and the Southwest Regional Apprenticeship Programs.

The Restorative Justice (RJ) Program includes degree and transfer pathways for incarcerated students in the local prison, jails, and youth detention facilities as well as providing on-campus reentry support services to system-impacted and formerly incarcerated students entering Southwestern College.

The Southwest Regional Apprenticeship Program (SWRAP) is a collaboration with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Naval Air Station, North Island in Coronado.  Coursework leads to an Associate Degree in Business Management and a Certificate of Achievement in Project Management in addition to journey-level trade instruction supporting the repair and maintenance of the US Navy fleet.

The Higher Education Center at National City is home to the Center for Business Advancement.  This hub brings together four business service organizations to provide support to small businesses and help them achieve growth and expansion ultimately stimulating the local and regional economy.  The Center for Business Advancement encompasses the services offered by the San Diego, Imperial, and Orange County Apex Accelerator, the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center Network, the South San Diego Small Business Development Center, and the San Diego Women's Business Center.

Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa

8100 Gigantic Street
San Diego, CA 92154
(619) 216-6750
www.swccd.edu/hecom

Opening its doors in fall 2007 and expanding its facilities to include a Public Safety Training Center in 2021, the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa is only minutes away from the United States/Mexico International Border.  The Center seeks to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to students in the area of healthcare and public safety, as well as to provide our local and international communities with well-educated citizens and a strong workforce.  Our Center also facilitates Continuing Education by offering pathways for adult learners returning to school by empowering students to pursue career advancement and enhance personal growth through noncredit courses to support their success.

Specifically, the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa offers lecture and hands-on training in nine public safety and health services programs that are unique to this location, as well as general education courses for students seeking an associate degree in one of these public safety/health career fields. The Center's signature programs include the Police Academy, Nursing (including CNA, LVN, ADN, ST, CST and ORN programs), Fire Science Technology, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, and Environmental Hazardous Materials Technology.

To help students achieve success in their courses and future careers, the Center also provides the necessary student support services on-site.  Students have access to admissions and records services, counseling, tutoring, financial aid, and disability support services. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art facility houses a library, food pantry, health services center, student center, conference center, fitness center, and science and computer labs.

Higher Education Center at San Ysidro

460 W. San Ysidro Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92713
(619) 216-6790
www.swccd.edu/hecsy 

Academic excellence, learning, growth, and student success typify the educational program at the Higher Education Center at San Ysidro (HEC, SY).

First established in 1988, the HEC, SY is located only minutes away from the U.S.-Mexico International Border. Rebuilt and reopened in 2009, the state-of-the-art 18,000 sq. ft. building has more classrooms and improved facilities to serve more than 2,000 students and the surrounding community.  The HEC, SY continues to reflect a full-service philosophy, providing quality instruction and student services in one convenient location.

The HEC, SY’s instructional program proudly offers  courses for students wishing to pursue an associate degree, complete general education requirements for transfer, develop occupational skills for employment, or undertake personal development courses. Examples of courses offered include Art, Child Development, Communication, Computer Literacy, English, English as a Second Language, Interpretation and Translation, Mathematics, Reading, and Social Sciences. Courses are offered via a flexible schedule, including day and evening classes, in a full-semester or fast-track format. In support of students’ academic achievement, the HEC, SY offers a variety of student services including, but not limited to, admissions, counseling, EOPS, financial aid, health services, disability support services, and tutoring. Additionally, the Center features a student center, food pantry, library, and open computer lab.

Higher Education Center at San Ysidro Living Memorial

Located at the front of the Center is the San Ysidro Memorial, which honors the memory of the 21 victims of the 1984 tragedy on the McDonalds restaurant site. Southwestern College officials worked with civic leaders to solicit contributions for the construction of the memorial. The San Ysidro Memorial was dedicated in December 1990, and today the memorial continues to serve as a tribute and a promise to enhance the lives of the people of San Ysidro and its neighboring communities through education.