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What's Happening at SOWELA

SOWELA Receives $35 Million Donation of Air Force E-8A Joint Stars Jet

Aircraft Was Flown in during a Special Ceremony Today at Chennault International Airport (Lake Charles, Louisiana – September 19, 2023) SOWELA received one of its largest donations to date from... Read More
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SOWELA Announces “Next Start” Initiative For New and Current Students

Deadline to Register for Next Start Is Wednesday, October 4, 2023 (Lake Charles, Louisiana – September 13, 2023) SOWELA is now registering currently enrolled and prospective students in its “Next... Read More

SOWELA Expands Industrial Lab Space at Oakdale, La. Location

The $665,000 Investment in Allen Parish Supports Industrial Electrical and Industrial Instrumentation Technology Programs (Lake Charles, Louisiana – September 12, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College’s Oakdale site recently announced the... Read More

SOWELA Culinary Arts Students Collaborate with Celebrity Chefs at Louisiana Food and Wine Festival

Louisiana Festival Establishes Culinary Arts Scholarship from Event Proceeds (Lake Charles, Louisiana – September 8, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College’s Culinary Arts students will be able to learn firsthand from... 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