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Why LASC?
MISSION: Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is committed to providing an environment for quality learning to enrich the lives of our diverse population.
VISION: Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is a learner-centered institution dedicated to meeting the needs of learners – the students and community who access the college for programs; and the faculty, staff and administrators who provide learning opportunities and support. We subscribe to the premise that the learner is at the center of what we do in creating opportunities, providing an environment conducive to learning and working, establishing a place where the discourse of ideas can occur and where individuals can have experiences without sacrificing their individuality. Our foundations are driven by our institutional core values.
CORE VALUES: We (Los Angeles Southwest College) value:
a. Accountability
b. Commitment
c. Equity
d. Respect
e. Excellence
f. Integrity
HISTORY: A dedicated group of residents led by Mrs. Odessa Cox saw a 20-year vision become reality when the Los Angeles Board of Education approved plans for a new community college. Los Angeles Southwest College opened its doors on September 11, 1967 with 600 students and 22 full-time faculty members. Today, LASC has more than 8,000 students credit and non-credit students, 75 full-time faculty members and 150 adjunct instructors from all areas of expertise and industry. It is an educational and cultural hub of the southern Los Angeles and surrounding communities under the leadership of President Dr. Jack E. Daniels, III.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: A two-year college, LASC awards associate degrees in 34 disciplines, as well as occupational certificates in 47 disciplines. LASC offers an array of programs to meet community needs – college transfer, occupational, general education, transitional, continuing, community services and joint programs. The campus is the site of Middle College High School, enabling high school students to take college courses for credit, obtain an AA while meeting the requirements for a high school diploma, and be integrated within the college environment. LASC has partnerships with many high schools and offers college level classes to high school students at their campus, on-line or at the LASC campus.
PHYSICAL CAMPUS: The physical campus has come a long way since being housed in World War II era bungalows for armed forces. The passages of Proposition A (2001) and Proposition AA (2003) have funded renovations and a physical expansion between 2005 and 2009 that includes a new lecture building, a comprehensive child development center, a new security building, a new stadium and field house and the Student Services Center. With the passage of Proposition J in 2008, the College will complete the campus build-out with a new Fine and Performing Arts Training Complex, a workforce training center, and a new bookstore. Middle College High School will be provided new facilities through a construction partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Additionally, a new central plant has been built and the campus is developing a comprehensive sustainability program that meet environmental and health demands of the future.
STUDENT BODY: LASC’s service area encompasses parts of the City of Los Angeles; unincorporated sections of the County of Los Angeles; the 2nd Supervisorial District; and portions of Gardena, Hawthorne and Inglewood.More than half of LASC students are first-generation college students. LASC also serves international students who are sponsored by their respective countries. The Associated Student Organization (ASO) is the governing body for all students and organizes social, cultural and political activities on campus.
ATHLETICS: Students may participate in intercollegiate athletics, as well as competitive team sports (football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball). The Athletic Department is housed in the Thomas G. Lakin Physical Education Center,a 70,000-square-foot sports complex with a state-of-the-art, three-court basketball gym seating 3,000 fans. The Lakin Center also has an Olympic-sized outdoor pool, physical therapy pool, racquetball courts, fitness center and dance studio. LASC – home to the Cougars – also boasts the Dennis Gilbert Baseball Field , a new football stadium and fields for softball and soccer.