Not Sure What Program Is Right for You?



Career CoachOpens a new window

What's Happening at SOWELA

Stock the Shelves Food Drive to Benefit SOWELA’s Food Pantry

Donation Drop-off is May 29th – June 10th at all Lake Charles area Albertsons (Lake Charles, Louisiana – May 26, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College invites the Southwest Louisiana community... Read More

Students Named to SOWELA’s Spring 2023 Chancellor’s and Deans’ Lists

(Lake Charles, Louisiana – May 24, 2023) The following students were named to SOWELA’s Chancellor’s and Deans’ Lists for the Spring 2023 term. Students achieving a grade point average of... Read More

SOWELA Marks 85 Years of Exceptional Graduates, Surpasses Pre-COVID and Hurricane Graduation Numbers

333 Students to Receive Diplomas During June 1st Commencement Ceremony (Lake Charles, Louisiana – May 22, 2023) SOWELA Technical Community College marks its 85th anniversary this year, making the Thursday,... Read More

SOWELA Announces 100% NCLEX Pass Rate for Practical Nursing and LPN to RN Students During National Nurses Month

Student Nurses in Both Programs Scored Higher than National and State Pass Rate Averages (Lake Charles, Louisiana – May 18, 2023) SOWELA Practical Nursing classes at Lake Charles and Jennings... 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