Goal Measures Earned Degrees, Diplomas and Industry-based Certifications (IBCs) to Assess Student Achievement
Lake Charles, Louisiana – Friday, August 30
SOWELA Technical Community College exceeded its 2023/2024 completer goal by 543 which is 24.75% over target and a 19.2% year-to-date surplus. Part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System’s (LCTCS) benchmarks for “Reaching Equitable Prosperity by 2030,” SOWELA’s completer goal for 2023/2024 was 2,203 and the institution awarded 2,746 graduation and certification completions.
“For the third straight year, SOWELA has exceeded the “Reaching Equitable Prosperity by 2030” goal set for the College by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “This above average performance was and continues to be made possible by a dedicated faculty and staff along with the hard work of a student population focused on completing the skills necessary to better prepare themselves for high skill, high wage and high demand career opportunities.”
SOWELA beat the Louisiana completer goal average by more than 10% with a state average of 112%.
The completer goal measures all earned credentials, including degrees, diplomas and industry-based certifications (IBCs). It includes both for-credit and non-credit programs and certifications, providing a clear picture of SOWELA’s mission and impact.
Phong-Linh Truong is a SOWELA Information Systems – Cybersecurity Operations student who has taken advantage of the IBCs available at SOWELA. She has completed the TestOut Network Pro certificate and is working on a second in Security Pro.
“Obtaining the Network Pro certificate has helped me become a more knowledgeable tech with troubleshooting and has helped me better assist end users as a help desk technician,” said Truong. “Even just a dash of this knowledge goes a long way, not just for the help desk role but for my IT career.” Truong is already employed with Lake Charles Memorial Health System, working in its IT department.
IBCs are certifications created by industries to confirm that individuals have mastered the critical skills necessary to be effective employees. These skills include both technical and workplace skills. Individuals who earn IBCs have a real advantage when applying for jobs in high-demand careers. They also help build confidence, enlarge students’ professional network and advance their career.
IBCs at SOWELA include Adobe Certified Professional, Microsoft Certificates, NCCER, AWS certifications, Phlebotomy Technician, QuickBooks Certified User, ServSafe Food Handler or Manager, Fiber Optic Specialist or Technician, CPR and AED for Healthcare Providers, Commercial Driver’s License, Certified Surgical Technologist, Licensed Practical Nurse and much more.
For information about SOWELA’s available IBCs and degree programs, contact the One Stop Enrollment Office at (337) 421-6560 or onestop@sowela.edu. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, distance, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The College empowers learners in career and technical education and enables transfer students to pursue a four-year degree, so all learners excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for more than 85 years.