Building strong communities

As we honored Labor Day this month, I am reminded of the vital role education plays in building strong communities and a resilient economy. At Southwestern College, our commitment to workforce development is more than a mission, it’s a responsibility to our region, our students, and the future we are helping to shape.

Our goal is simple but powerful: to advance community, economic, and workforce development through relevant, responsive, and high-impact programs. We are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in today’s evolving job market while also supporting employers with a talent pipeline ready to meet regional demands.

“At Southwestern College, we see workforce development as more than training programs, they are ladders of opportunity,” says Jennifer Lewis, Dean of Workforce Development. “Each certificate, degree, and partnership we create is designed to help students take the next step in their careers and respond to the needs of local industry.”

From fast-track certificates to cutting-edge associate degrees, Southwestern College offers a wide range of career education pathways in high-demand fields like cyber forensics, culinary arts, business, drone technology, automotive systems, logistics, and health sciences, to name a few. Each year, we make strategic investments to enhance these programs, expand access, and improve outcomes for students.

One example is our newly modernized Automotive Technology Complex, where students train in simulated workplace environments using the latest equipment, industry-standard lifts, racks, and diagnostic trainers that reflect the technology found in today’s service bays. Similarly, our Dental Hygiene Program is undergoing a major upgrade, with the addition of state-of-the-art lab chairs and clinical tools that will enhance student learning, improve patient care, and streamline operations.

I am proud Southwestern College is looking toward the future and is answering one of our region’s most urgent workforce challenges: a growing shortage of skilled workers in the maritime and defense sectors. As submarine production ramps up, demand for welders, fabricators, and marine technicians is surging. To address this, we launched the Forging Futures: Maritime Welding Technology Program, backed by a comprehensive feasibility study and seed funding. This new initiative will provide hands-on, industry-aligned training for students seeking high-wage, stable careers in shipbuilding and national defense.

Our commitment to workforce readiness extends beyond technical training. Through programs like our Job Readiness Certificate developed in partnership with Goodwill, we support students with resume writing, interview preparation, communication strategies, and workplace skills. This program is especially impactful for students with disabilities and those pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

We also provide vital wraparound support through our Career and Transfer Connections Center. Students benefit from career counseling, peer coaching, and practical workshops, as well as direct job placement opportunities. A recent collaboration with the San Diego Workforce Partnership and the new Gaylord Pacific Resort brought over 800 job openings directly to our Chula Vista campus during a large-scale hiring event connecting educational preparation to immediate career opportunities.

“We listen to employers, adapt our programs, and ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in competitive markets,” said Jon Kropp, Workforce Director at Southwestern College.

Looking ahead, I am excited to deepen our commitment to educational access through a new partnership with Cal State San Marcos. Launching in Fall 2026, Southwestern College will offer bachelor’s degree pathways on our campus in Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, adding Human Development, and Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology in 2027. These degree offerings are in direct alignment with regional workforce needs identified in a recent needs assessment.

We are also launching an Automotive Technology Competency Based Education (CBE Accelerate) program allowing students to use their existing skills learned on the job or in other places to move at their own pace through instruction, slowing down when they need more help, and then demonstrating their knowledge in order to move ahead in the program.

While we obsevered Labor Day on Monday, September 1, at Southwestern College, we celebrate this commitment every day.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. Your collective dedication makes our mission possible. Together, we are not just building careers but we are building futures, community resilience and generational opportunity.

Mark Sanchez, Ed.D. is Superintendent/President of Southwestern College.