Southwestern College is committed to your educational success. We know that some students are more successful when they participate in a community of learners. We have developed specialized programming just for your needs.

Learning communities are linked courses that use common themes, readings, and assignments . These classes meet a variety of requirements for a degree or for graduation while promoting learning in a friendly, supportive environment that encourages success and better teacher-student relationships. Learning community courses not only offer opportunities for greater academic success, they also provide more student-teacher and student-student interaction. Students who have completed such courses have developed lasting friendships with other students from their learning community cohort.

For more information on Southwestern College Learning Communities, contact the Counseling Center at (619) 482-6317.

Bayan Learning Community

The word "Bayan" in Pilipino implies a place where one belongs or feels welcome, as in a family or home. The Southwestern College's Bayan Learning Community provides a scholarly home for students of all races, cultures, or ethnicity to explore Filipino/a American issues. Bayan scholars learn critical thinking, life and college skills to help them transition from Southwestern College to a four-year university or college. They do so by taking a pair of linked transfer level courses, English Composition and Personal Development. Both courses focus on the Filipino/a American experience. As well, Bayan scholars have a dedicated counselor and participate in array of field trips and co-curricular activities, all to support student success and university transfer. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at (619) 482-6317. Bayan is open to all students.

Chel Learning Community

The word "Chel" comes from the Aztec/Nahuatl language and means "rainbow." The rainbow's colors are widely recognized as representing the LGBTQIA+ culture. Our program's aim is to help students graduate and transfer while also instilling college success skills like study habits, test taking, and time management. Students must enroll in and complete two related courses in order to be a part of our learning community: a Personal Development course taught by the program's Coordinator/Counselor and a college level English course. Both classes meet the criteria for general education. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at (619) 482-6317. Chel is open to all students.

Puente Program

The mission of the Puente Program is to increase the number of Chicano/Latino students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as leaders and mentors of future generations. Puente students commit to two consecutive semesters of English and Personal Development instruction, academic counseling, and mentoring. Classroom instruction features Mexican-American/Latino literature and opportunities for self-exploration. For more information or enrollment into the Puente Project, contact the Counseling Center at (619) 482-6317. Puente is open to all students. 

Umoja Learning Community

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. The Umoja Community fosters civic engagement so that all participants, students and educators alike integrate learning and service.  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 achievements and lifelong success! During the fall semester, students enroll in English 115 (ENGL 115) and Personal Development 100 (PD 100). In the spring semester, students will take English 116 (ENGL 116) and Personal Development 114 (PD 114) (These classes are subject to change) For more information, contact the Counseling Center at (619) 482-6317. Umoja is open to all students.