Sofia Castilla’s experience highlights the impact of community colleges during Community College Week
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA — Sofia Castilla was headed to a four-year university in her home country of Colombia when an American pastor visited her school offering a scholarship to SOWELA Technical Community College. She was chosen for the opportunity and made the cross-country trek to Southwest Louisiana.
“My dad is an architect, and my mother studied business and fashion design,” said Castilla. “With that background, the Digital Arts program at SOWELA caught my attention, and I registered for classes.”
She enjoys the graphic design courses because they give her a way to “express an idea and defend it.” For example, if she wants to bring attention to an issue, “I can create a way to express it so that people can understand.”
While hundreds of miles away from home, Castilla has found a supportive environment and a wealth of opportunities to help her grow professionally. “At first, I wasn’t sure about two-year colleges, but the education is so good,” she said. “It has really prepared me. Something I like about the program is that you can try different specialties to see what interests you, such as website design or animation. The program really prepares you for the industry.”
Castilla has also become active on campus. “I really enjoy the opportunities to compete and grow,” she said. “I have competed in SkillsUSA at state and nationals and at the American Advertising Federation conference.”
Being an international student comes with unique challenges, such as learning a new culture, putting language skills into practice and building new relationships in a new place, but Castilla says she’s “never felt like an outsider” and has “always felt welcomed.”
“My favorite thing about SOWELA is the support,” she shared. “The classes are not big, and the instructors are amazing. I love it here.”
Castilla will graduate in May and plans to continue studying graphic design, pursuing a bachelor’s degree. “I’m deeply thankful,” she shares. “I give all glory to God and to New Life Church, who gave me the opportunity to be here. I’m also thankful to all the instructors and individuals who have helped me on this journey the past two years.”
Community colleges are launching pads for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, whether your goal is to quickly enter the workforce or earn a degree with transferable credits. It’s why SOWELA celebrates Community College Week from March 23-27. The holiday’s events include:
- March 23: Health and Wellness Resource Fair (Jennings site), Financial Aid Awareness Day (Main Campus, Oakdale site, Jennings site)
- March 24: LaGrange High School Career Fair, Financial Aid Awareness Day (Leesville site)
- March 25: Spring 2026 Career Fair (Main Campus)
As a community college, SOWELA is responsive to workforce needs and offers programs in high-wage, high-demand careers that empower learners to excel in a global marketplace. This is supported by recent data indicating that SOWELA graduates rank first in the region and third statewide for highest median salaries, reflecting a strong return on investment and reinforcing the College’s role as a key economic driver for the state. In addition, for nine consecutive years, SOWELA has been named the No. 1 community college in Louisiana by Niche and WalletHub.
Registration opens Monday, March 30, for Summer and Fall terms. Interested individuals can apply now at www.sowela.edu/apply. Prospective students are encouraged to register early for more scheduling options. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify. For assistance, contact the One Stop Enrollment Office at (337) 421-6550 or onestop@sowela.edu.