Latest news with #SowelaTechnicalCommunityCollege
American Press
17-07-2025
- General
- American Press
Never too young to start thinking about a career
Practical Nursing Instructor Sandra Smith tells the career explorers all about Sowela's high-fidelity mannequins that are used to give nursing students hands-on, clinical experience. (Emily Burleigh / American Press) Students of all ages toured Sowela Technical Community College's campus on Tuesday for the inaugural 'Career Exploration Day.' About 120 participants (parents included) met in the Sycamore Student Center and split into four groups and took a walking tour of the main campus, making stops at five different buildings. Sowela's nursing, culinary arts, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and vehicle maintenance and repair programs were highlighted during the tour. At each stop, the students got to meet Sowela instructors, who told them about the program and the different careers they could have after graduation. The walking tour was designed for children aged 5 to 18 years old. Alison Dering, executive director of enrollment management and student affairs, said they centered the tour around programs with hands-on components to appeal to the younger children in attendance. The explorers got to crawl into an N890 Jet, see a fully-functioning professional kitchen, and interact with life-like high-fidelity mannequins used by Sowela's nursing students. Studies show that children should be exposed to different career paths in elementary school, so Sowela believes it's never too early to start looking at career options, she said. 'It's never too early to start exposing our kids to what's out there and the types of jobs they could have,' she said. 'There could be fields they've never even thought of because they just don't know yet.' The exploration day opened the students' eyes to new possibilities. For Jagger Lawson, 11, the criminal justice program sparked his interest. 'It was really cool to see the crime scene that they had,' he said. 'I loved it.' Career Exploration Day was also an opportunity for parents to go on an excursion with their kids before the school year starts, Dering said. 'We also know that it's summertime, and parents are looking for fun and educational things for their kids to do,' she explained. 'We thought, what better event than to showcase some of our hands-on programs so kids can get an idea of what we have to offer.' It was also a good opportunity for parents to see Sowela's updated campus. 'A lot of times, the parents don't realize what we have to offer, if they haven't been here for quite some time,' she said. 'It's just another opportunity for us to showcase our beautiful campus and our state-of-the-art equipment to the community.' Spots for the inaugural event filled up quickly. Dering said they were happy to see that the community was just as excited about the event as they were. She hopes the tour will become an annual event. Students who missed Career Exploration Day (and are closer to graduating age) can schedule a campus tour by sending an email to recruitment@
American Press
24-06-2025
- Health
- American Press
Sowela nursing students building experience in expanded simulation lab
Sowela's high-fidelity simulation labs provide students with practical experience in a safe environment using state-of-the-art mannequins that simulate bodily functions. (Special to the American Press) In the fall, the nursing students at Sowela Technical Community College will have full access to expanded simulation lab space. Sowela's high-fidelity simulation labs, located in the H.C. Drew Nursing and Allied Health Building, provide students with practical experience in a safe environment using state-of-the-art mannequins that simulate bodily functions. Instructors sit outside the labs to conduct the simulations, while the students are dropped into realistic scenarios. These scenarios could include moderating a mannequin's temperature or conducting an emergency C-section on a mannequin. The patients are portrayed by the instructors, who talk into speakers to prompt the students. Video capture systems were installed in the labs to record the sessions, which allows instructors to sit with their students to debrief and analyze the simulation results, said Kristine Stout, Sowela School of Nursing and Allied Health Dean. Students participate in pediatric, OB, adult and geriatric simulations to prepare for their careers. Some scenarios are simple, but some are complex and continue into the next day, increasing in severity. Nursing (RN) and practical nursing program (LPN) st udents previously had access to three high-fidelity labs, but the recent expansion has increased the number to five. The 2,015 square feet of lab space has allowed instructors to curate specialized spaces. The two new labs are the pediatrics and labor and delivery simulation labs, while the other three house three adult mannequins for other medical scenarios. The project was funded by a $503,000 Rapid Response Grant from the Louisiana Technical and Community College System. The college applied for the grant in 2023 to prepare for an increase in students. Last year, Sowela doubled the number of RN cohorts from two to four, which opened enrollment for the spring semester as well as the fall semester. Stout said they needed more lab space with the influx of new enrollment and to support the LPN students, who also participate in high-fidelity lab simulations. In the meantime, classes and students had to adapt to more students by taking turns with the labs and classroom spaces, with instructors taking time out of their day to switch out mannequins to align with upcoming simulations. 'It was a lot of back and forth, back and forth.' The grant has not only allowed the department to set up permanent labs for various, simultaneous scenarios, but it has also helped fund a new faculty member and a new child mannequin to expand simulation capabilities. The new lab suite also has a surgical scrub sink, furthering the immersive experience of the simulations. Students begin participating in simulations during their first semester. They practice clinical skills and apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. But they also develop soft skills that are necessary for students to succeed in the Allied Health sector, including task delegation, time management, critical thinking and communication. If students are going to make a mistake, the Sowela instructors want them to make it in the simulation lab, Stout said. 'Simulation's a safe place for students because they can't harm anybody in here. They're not real,' she explained. 'If they're going to make a mistake, we want them to make it in here before they ever get into the clinical setting. It's a high-pressure area without the faculty in there, and it's a realistic experience. They're having to think like nurses, but they also have their team with them.' The lessons students learn are not just derived from major missteps, but also small routine mistakes — like forgetting to verify the patient's identity or sanitize their hands. Experiencing every aspect of the job, from exhibiting patience with difficult patients to life-threatening situations, helps students build the instincts needed to succeed. For a well-rounded experience, the multidisciplinary simulations will have four to five roles, such as an RN, LPN, respiratory specialist or a member of the patient's family. The chain of learning extends past the students' peers. Sowela partners with Louisiana State University to include their residents in the simulations. This familiarizes the students with the working relationships between RNs and doctors, and grants residents an opportunity to pass on their knowledge. The labs also support students from other Sowela campuses. The scope of the simulations is constantly expanding, she noted. They hope to include other programs on campus for large interdisciplinary simulations in the future. Registration for the fall semester is open. Those interested in applying can visit Scholarship and financial aid are available for qualifying students.
American Press
29-05-2025
- Business
- American Press
Sowela shatters its summer enrollment record
(Special to the American Press) Special to the American Press Sowela Technical Community College's enrollment reached record-breaking numbers during the 2025 summer term, which started this week, with a 28.45 percent year-over-year increase. The college's Aviation Maintenance program saw the highest growth in registrations at 200 percent, followed by Business Administration at 74.71 percent and Culinary Arts at 63.16 percent. 'The continued enrollment growth further substantiates the critical and key role the institution plays in workforce development,' said Chancellor Neil Aspinwall. 'Sowela is a key player in supplying a highly skilled and qualified workforce for the business and industry in the Southwest Louisiana region. Although originally established as a trade school 87 years ago, Sowela has grown into a comprehensive community college whose mission is not only workforce development but also transfer, which aids in enrollment growth.' Aspinwall said since the college is accredited by SACSCOC, students who have earned their two-year degree or numerous course credits can transfer that degree or those course credits to a four-year college and subsequently earn their bachelor's degree. Sowela consistently has more than 500 students each year who utilize the transfer option and continue onto a four-year college or university, he said. He also attributes the enrollment increase to a student-first focus, strong student support services and no increase in tuition or fees for the past nine years. Sowela summer enrollment will continue to grow as individuals register for short-term workforce training, such as Commercial Driver's License, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant training. The College is also experiencing growth in the number of summer credit hours taken, with a 26 percent increase from this same time last year. Registration is open for fall 2025, which starts Monday, Aug. 11. Visit for a complete list of available programs and to register. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify.
American Press
17-05-2025
- General
- American Press
Graduation times two: DeQuincy student earns high school, college degrees same year
DeQuincy High School student Alli Richard will grace two graduation stages this May. She is graduating from DeQuincy High School after her senior year with the rest of her peers. She has also earned an associate of general studies from Sowela Technical Community College. During her junior and senior years, Richard took college courses through Calcasieu Parish School Board's Virtual Instruction Program. VIP offers dual enrollment courses taught virtually from the Region 5 STEM Center. The classes stream to each of the district's 11 high schools. The program is a boon for smaller campuses like DeQuincy, which has a total enrollment of 376. Her junior year, she took criminal justice, inter-criminal law, statistics, and English composition I and II through VIP, in addition to college courses through McNeese State University. Her senior year she took trigonometry, calculus, fiction, mythology, introduction to environmental science, introduction to theater, introduction to acting and psychology. Including Sowela and McNeese courses, advanced placement classes and CLEP, Richard has earned 70 hours of college credit, and that wasn't all she did. She was the class president in her junior and senior years and student council vice president. Richard also participated in 'basically every extracurricular,' including the library club and National Beta Club. All of this was done while maintaining a 4.52 GPA. 'It was definitely a lot of work, but it was so worth it to be able to continue my high school experience,' she said. 'It was especially tough for finals week and everything when I have four or five finals a semester, and I'm also balancing normal high school things.' The trick to bearing the weight of the coursework is to start off slow, she said. 'I wouldn't take on too much to start with because you need to get used to the course load before you build on it. … My senior year I picked up a lot more courses because I knew I could handle it.' Aside from the obvious benefit of earning college credit in high school, she said the VIP program also helped her boost her GPA and granted her wider access to scholarships and resources that will help support her while she is completing college. Richard plans to earn a law degree from Louisiana State University. LSU Law's 3 + 3 program allows students to complete their bachelor's degree in three years. After their junior year, students apply for admission to LSU Law Center. If accepted, the students' final year at LSU is simultaneously the final year of their undergraduate degree and the first year of their law degree. 'If my schedule aligns perfectly, I will be able to graduate from law school in four years,' she explained. 'I am so excited that it will allow me to get so far ahead and that I will be able to go into my career so much sooner than I expected. 'I have always enjoyed debating and research and those kinds of topics, and I really think that law will be a good fit for me.' She intends to specialize in corporate law and business. Sowela's 61st Commencement ceremony is at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at the Lake Charles Event Center. There, Richard will graduate alongside 374 other students. Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex General Manager Scot Tyler will give the commencement address.
American Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- American Press
SW La. high school student graduating twice
Alli Richard Richard completed high school and Sowela Technical Community College courses through the Virtual Instruction Program, a dual enrollment option for Calcasieu Parish students. (Special to the American Press) Special to the American Press Alli Richard will walk across two graduation stages this spring as she earned both her diploma from DeQuincy High School and an associate of general studies from Sowela Technical Community College. 'It was a lot of hard work,' Richard said. 'With finals and final projects in the midst of other senior responsibilities.' Those responsibilities include senior class president, numerous clubs, tutoring and volunteer work. She will also graduate at the top of her class. Richard completed high school and Sowela courses through the Virtual Instruction Program, a dual enrollment option for Calcasieu Parish students. VIP provides live instruction from one central location to all 11 high schools in the district. Richard chose VIP because she didn't want to leave her high school to take college classes. 'I didn't want to miss out on the high school experience,' she said. 'VIP also boosted my GPA because the classes are on a 5-point scale, which enabled me to qualify for the highest level of TOPS.' She advises someone considering this opportunity: 'Don't take on too much from the start. My teachers were so helpful. VIP really does a great job of bridging the gap between high school and college and they help you manage it.' After graduation, Richard plans to pursue a law degree. Thanks to her dual enrollment courses, she will have completed two of six years of her program, fast-tracking her to the workforce. Richard and 374 of her fellow Sowela classmates are eligible to receive degrees. Sowela will host its 61st commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Lake Charles Event Center. Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex General Manager Scot Tyler will give the commencement address. Sowela's graduation ceremony is open to the public.
