SAN DIEGO (August 3, 2007) – The Southwestern Community College District has selected Southwest Strategies (SWS) to create a media and community relations program that will help the District promote the grand opening of its Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa, and implement community outreach efforts during construction at the Higher Education Center at San Ysidro.
SWS will work with the Southwestern College communications team and with Dr. Angelica Suarez, dean of the Higher Education Centers, on the opening of the $25 million Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa. This opening solidifies Southwestern College’s commitment to making education more accessible to residents of South San Diego County. In addition to general education and transfer courses, the Otay Mesa center will serve as a regional center for the training and development of the South Bay. It will bring signature educational programs to South County residents, including Environmental Technology, Police Academy, Nursing, Fire Science Technology, Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician, and International Business. SWS will work with target audiences, including elected officials, trade organizations and members of the media, to ensure the successful promotion of the new center.
In addition, SWS is planning and implementing a community relations program that will maintain Southwestern College’s presence in the San Ysidro community during the Higher Education Center at San Ysidro’s construction phase. The original one-story, 7,500 square foot Higher Education Center at San Ysidro is closing its facility to meet the current demand, as noted by its exceeded enrollment projections over the past 18 years. The new state-of-the-art facility – planned to open for the spring 2009 semester – will be able to serve 2,000 students in the planned 18,000 square foot, two-story center. The memorial, built at the Higher Education Center in 1990, was created in memory of the 21 lives lost in the McDonald’s tragedy in 1984. It will be incorporated into the permanent building design.
Southwestern College hired SWS, a San Diego-based public affairs firm, to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan specifically tailored to each of the two Higher Education Centers’ needs. Janine Pairis, Director of Public Affairs for Southwest Strategies has extensive knowledge and experience working with community groups and public agencies in South County and will be working directly with the Dr. Angelica Suarez and the Southwestern College communications team.
“It was important for Southwestern College to have an active voice expressing our commitment to the community in the midst of the exciting projects at our Higher Education Centers at Otay Mesa and San Ysidro,” said Dr. Angelica Suarez, dean of the two centers. “Selecting a team of communications professionals that know the history and culture of the communities we are targeting was key.”
“We’re excited to add Southwestern College to the growing list of clients who receive excellent service from Southwest Strategies,” said Bernie Rhinerson, Vice President and Partner at Southwest Strategies.
Established in 1961, Southwestern College is one of 109 public community colleges in the state of California and is the only public institution of higher education located in the southern portion of San Diego County. Southwestern College serves more than 18,000 students and employs over 1,200 faculty and staff. The College, located in Chula Vista with three Higher Education Centers in Otay Mesa, San Ysidro and National City, is attended by students pursuing an A.A. degree, preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university, and/or acquiring new occupational skills.
Southwest Strategies offers a full range of communications and strategic services for a diverse client list. Southwest Strategies services include public affairs, community relations, crisis communications, public relations, media relations and government affairs. Alan Ziegaus, Chris Wahl and Bernie Rhinerson formed Southwest Strategies in April 2000.
For more information on Southwest Strategies, visit www.swspr.com. For more information on Southwestern College, visit www.swccd.edu.
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