Celebrating 40 years of making dreams come true
By IRIS RANGEL After decades of determination and willpower, Southwest College for the Deaf will reach their 40-year landmark with Howard College. It’s unique campus-style and self-contained community college setting has allowed for thousands of deaf and hard of hearing students to graduate and achieve their dreams. A study indicated that there was a significant need for further options in higher education and career training for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Typically, deaf and hard of hearing students have little options when deciding where to attend higher education. Thus, Southwest College of the Deaf created their shining light for students in 1980 when the first 8 Living Magazine
classes were held. “Through our unique campus opportunities, our students are given a sense of ownership in the development of their educational and career goals,” Jeff Anderson, Division Chair Career Technical Education; Associate Professor ASL Deaf Support Specialist Program said. “Through their personal experiences, students promote the culture of success which serves as the thread that ties us to the deaf community around the world.” This unique way of creating an atmosphere where hard of hearing and deaf students from across the country could come together and share the same college experience allowed for students to interconnect amongst each other with their own personal experiences. “Students attending SWCD are surrounded by a shared culture learning experience where students receive instruction, tutoring, and counseling in their first language of American Sign Language (ASL),” Anderson said. “With a self-contained campus and small class size, students are provided individual attention and have a unique opportunity to engage with their peers through dorm living and student activities.” SWCD or Southwest College of the Deaf was designed in a way where students could have opportunities for multiple career paths. Being a one of a kind, self-contained community college serving only deaf and hard of hearing students, SWCD offers Associate degrees and certificate programs, class internships, athletic programs, and various student organizations. “The campus is designed to meet their unique commu-