Why LASC?

LASC AT A GLANCE

 

MISSION: Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) is committed to providing anenvironment for quality learning to enrich the lives of our diverse population.

 

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 6,000 students, 70 full-time faculty members and 125 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 Interim President Dr. Jack E. Daniels, III.

 

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: A two-year college, LASC awards associate degrees in 34 disciplines, as wellas 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.

 

PHYSICAL CAMPUS: The physical campus has come a long way since being housed in WorldWar II era bungalows for armed forces. The passages of Proposition A (2001) and Proposition AA (2003) have funded renovations and a physical expansion that includes a new student services building completed in 2005 and a comprehensive child development center slated to open in 2007. The campus buildout should be completed by August 2009.

 

STUDENT BODY: LASC’s service area encompasses parts of the City ofLos 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 allstudents 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 and fields for softball and soccer.