Classes resume for 65th year of instruction

Thousands of students returned to the Southwestern College campus this week as the South Bay community college marked its 65th year of education.

The start of the Fall semester also saw the unveiling of the college’s mascot, Jonny the Jaguar.
Southwestern College was founded in 1961 when it opened its doors to 1,657 students on the Chula Vista High School campus. It was not until 1964 when constructions of the 156-acre campus at the corner of Otay Lakes Road and H Street was completed and classes moved there.

For the 2025-26 school year an estimated 29,000 students were enrolled.