For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Media Contact

Lillian Leopold, Chief Public Information Officer

CHULA VISTA, CA. – Southwestern College’s significant increase in sending graduates into the California State University (CSU) system through the Associate for Degree (ADT) program will be honored in Sacramento June 2 by Secretary of State Alex Padilla and the Campaign for College Opportunity.

The Campaign for College Opportunity has named Southwestern College of one of nine High Performing colleges in California after conducting a comprehensive, independent examination of the community college to CSU transfer pathway since the 2010 Senate Bill 1440 legislation that created the pathway.

From 2013-14 to 2014-15, Southwestern College saw a 138% increase in the number of ADT students transferring to a CSU, one of the greatest increases in the state. In 2013-14, Southwestern conferred 171 Associate Degrees for Transfer, but in 2014-15 that number grew to 407, according to Campaign for College Opportunity data.

With 23 approved Associate Degree for Transfer majors, a 138% increase in transfers, and 407 ADT earners in 2014-15, Southwestern College achieved the criteria to be named a High Performer, said Audrey Dow, vice president for external affairs and operations. And the 138% increase was the largest increase of any of the nine high performing community colleges, Dow said.

“Our rapid development of ADTs, the concerted efforts of our counselors to ensure our students understand that ADTs are a pathway to success and the excellent work of our evaluators to promptly verify ADTs is a great cause for celebration,” said Southwestern College Superintendent/President Dr. Melinda Nish. “Our numbers demonstrate that our students are being successful with ADTs.”

Student success is a reflection of the Governing Board’s commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals, said Governing Board President Nora E. Vargas. “Our strategies have been efforts to not only attract students to Southwestern College, but also help them transfer to four-year universities,” Vargas said. The ADT program allows students to choose from 23 majors and complete 60 units at Southwestern College, giving them guaranteed admission to a CSU to complete the additional 60 units needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.