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What's Happening at SOWELA

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Free CDL Training Available at SOWELA for Calcasieu Parish Residents in Partnership with Venture Global LNG

Training is Valued at Nearly $6,000 and Prepares Students for the Louisiana CDL Exam (Lake Charles, Louisiana – March 17, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College’s Office of Workforce Solutions is... Read More
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SOWELA Offers New Fiber Optics Technician Training

Participants Can Earn Three Certifications in One Week (Lake Charles, Louisiana – March 7, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College’s Office of Workforce Solutions is offering new training options for Fiber... Read More
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SOWELA Hosts First-ever Flying Tiger Fest on Saturday, March 25

Includes Live Music, Food, Giveaways, Scholarship Information and More! (Lake Charles, Louisiana – March 6, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College will host its first-ever Flying Tiger Fest on Saturday, March... Read More
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SOWELA Hosts First-Ever College Transfer and Military Fair

Students and Alumni are Invited to Meet One-on-One with Military Representatives and Four-year Universities (Lake Charles, Louisiana – March 2, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College will host its first-ever College... Read More

Alum Kat Stevens at Presidential Press Event

Alum Kat Stevens at Presidential Press Event

[President Donald Trump]
I would also like to invite Kat Stevens, who re-trained and found a job here when she needed it most.

And she got a tremendous story to tell. I want to thank you Kat and also, Kat, where’s Kat? Kat? Where’s Kat?

Thank you.

[Kat Stevens]
Thank you. Nice to meet you.

Hello everyone. My story is more of a journey than a story. It started in 2014 when my husband lost his oil field job. He was a drilling supervisor of 13 years. And ours like Ronald was immediate.

We have seven children from college to elementary school. No income, no insurance It was a lot. I went to the job fair and met several people from Cameron LNG and decided at that point I needed to come back to college. So, I went to SOWELA Community College here in Lake Charles.

(applause)

And with the support of my family, my parents especially and my husband, graduated ahead of time. Got to do my internship out here and just absolutely fell in love with everybody out here. The culture, the people, everything they stand for. And as soon as I graduated, Mr. Dan Callens hired me and I’ve been here ever since and it’s just fabulous.

And everything they stand for they do truly stand for safety above all because they realize that I have a family to go home to. Everyone out here has a family to go home to. We’re all children of someone and that means a lot to me, it really does.

And Mr. Trump and Sempra thank you so much for everything you’ve done. And thank you for your energy independence. It’s gonna be great for my family. Thank you very much

(audience clap and cheer)

The SOWELA Experience

Virtual Campus Tour

Virtual Campus Tour Video

Virtual Campus Tour

Our campus has changed dramatically over the past five years by adding five new buildings. Our coursework is accredited by SACSCOC, enabling easy transfer to a 4-year program.


Explore SOWELA

Meet Christopher

Meet Christopher Video

Meet Christopher

SOWELA Welding Student

“I never thought I’d love welding, but I do. What I love about SOWELA class is the instructors. The skills I obtain at SOWELA can take me all over the country.”


Learn More About Welding

Meet Kortney

Meet Kortney Video

Meet Kortney

SOWELA Culinary Arts Student

“I chose SOWELA because I heard it was such a great program. Everything they offer is so hands on, which I enjoy so much. Also, the positive attitude and everyone being so supportive.”


Learn More About Culinary Arts