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ReImagining Community College: Southwest launches 29 workforce-ready stackable credentials

By LaJoyce Harris 

ReImagining Community College: Southwest launches 29 workforce-ready stackable credentials

Southwest is equipping students for the future with hot-ticket credentials. From an Automotive Electric Vehicles Certificate, to a Film and Video Production Certificate, students can now land their dream job quicker, thanks to 29 in-demand, workforce-ready certificates available through most degree programs. 

Through the College’s ReImagining Community College initiative, students are able to earn stackable, industry certifications in their first semester, allowing them the opportunity to work in their chosen field while completing their associate degree.  

Two new programs – an A.A.S. degree in Entertainment Production and Spanish Community Interpretation and Translation – are set to launch in fall 2025.

Here are four steps students should take to ensure they are pursuing the right credentials aligned with their ideal career path.

  1. First, find the perfect fit. Start with the online Career Coach Assessment to assist in determining a career pathway. The assessment will help uncover a person’s interests, explore career options, and pick an educational option for success.
  2. Next, after completing the Career Coach Assessment, contact the Advising and Career Services Department. Advisors will share details on more than two dozen certificate programs that can fast-tract a student from school to a career within a year or less.
    Community
  3. Once a career path has been decided, students will be assigned to a career community made up of students with similar interests, goals, and educational opportunities. This career community emphasizes the UNITY that comes with the college experience and creates a “Culture of CommUNITY”. During the New Student Orientation, students are provided an ID with a community color lanyard – gold: Health and Natural Sciences; aqua: Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathematics; and purple: Business and Technologies.
  4. Eligible Students Receive Credential Level PinFinally, each credential offers a prestigious ranking that can be displayed on community lanyards. Through dual enrollment, industry certification starts in high school and may continue until graduation. 

Southwest offers valuable skills and certifications designed to allow students to join the workforce immediately through whatever career pathway chosen. To get started, connect with a Career Coach in Career Services.

Students enrolled and currently eligible will automatically receive a certificate from Records. Faculty that have an industry certificate that can be embedded into a degree program may contact LaJoyce Harris, RCC Project Manager, to learn more.

These exciting certificates and programs are listed below. 

Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathmatics

Business and Technologies

Health and Natural Sciences