West Los Angeles College’s student-per-teacher ratios are low providing superior one-on-one teacher student interaction. (image: West Los Angeles College)
WEST LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — It is not a secret that some of the best universities and colleges are located in California. It’s not by accident. West Los Angeles College (West) located in the hills of Culver City (see picture) is the Jewel of the California Community Colleges, a collection of 113 colleges, serving 2.6 million students a year. It plays a significant role in developing highly competitive and results driven students that feed the university admissions. Not only does West Los Angeles College offer the traditional Associate Degree, West leads the way with a new Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
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Understanding what makes West the best college requires no fancy calculations. Its student-per-teacher ratios are low providing superior one-on-one teacher student interaction. (see picture) The college offers resident as well as distance learning capabilities (see picture) that balance the curriculum for those who are employed full-time. It offers a safe environment that promotes racial and social equality and equal access. According to long-time instructor, administrator and now the Interim President, Bob Sprague, “The fusion of innovation and entrepreneurship drives West’s future. The Global Institute for Entrepreneurship at West is the glue bringing local, foreign, industry and business students alike to promote American ingenuity.”
Most notable is West’s dedication to student services ranging from special services for the disabled and/or developmentally challenged to minority and under-served student populations. West offers a child development center serving the population who is returning to the workforce or enhancing their market value through job retraining and professional development. Through an integrated ambassadorship that’s growing and an international body of alumni, West Los Angeles college is represented in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Iran, Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Korea, Russia, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Sweden, Spain and Canada, as well as every country in central and south America. Each of these cultures and their unique needs are served through our counselors to support a multicultural experience.
Veterans have a special place at West. On September 11th, for the 9/11 anniversary, West opened a Veteran Support Center to bring job placement, temporary, transitional and permanent veteran housing services, PTSD and special needs support all to its veteran student population. According to Paul Hanley, President of Serene Haven, a division of NCVRI, “This is just the beginning of joint efforts to improve student well-being at the campus.” The Senev Family Trust funds this center through a grant. (see photo)
In addition to a full range of academics and finely tuned career preparation programs taught by a staff of hundreds of dedicated faculty, West Los Angeles College has instructional programming initiatives such as a four (4) course sequence in Creativity & Innovation, where divergent thinking, multi-layered idea generation and a collaborative organizational climate manages the creativity and innovation processes by guiding a company/person/team/product through the unknown to acclaim—bringing innovation from the idea to market. Everyone is creative and has the ability to cultivate and enhance this essential leadership skill.
A five (5) degree program in Global & Area Studies—Today’s economic and political world is driven by forces from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe; one can’t exclude any region. Cultures old and new are changing in startling new ways stressing socio-economic systems through population growth, healthcare, growing elderly population, food distribution, access to education and security in an ecologically fragile world. West Los Angeles College delivers in-depth knowledge, a DNA, molecular level knowledge of socio-economic systems and the language of intercultural communications that enhances the student’s business skills; West’s programs prepare students for careers with an international outlook.
Allied Health—West prepares students for a wide array of in-demand health care professions such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Emergency Medical Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting, and Paramedic. (see Picture)
BS in Dental Hygiene—Beginning in fall 2016 West will upgrade its current Associate in Dental Hygiene to a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program. According to Carmen Dones, professor of Dental Hygiene, “This exciting development enhances the professional status of dental hygienists and enables graduates to move to the master’s degree level.”
Aviation Technology—West offers a nationally leading Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program that feeds Los Angeles County—one of the busiest air traffic areas in the country. West AMTs can be found at every major aviation hub of the world. There is a continuing need for highly skilled aviation maintenance technicians as air travel and shipping continues to expand. Advanced technology has become even more mission critical. All instructional labs are outfitted with the most up-to-date equipment, engines, structures, and tools. (see picture) AMT prepares students to take and pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airframe and Power Plant certification exams. With the option to finish FAA Private Pilot Ground School and Flight Training through USAF Aero Club, West delivers the most cost effective private pilot program in the nation. AMT is further enhanced by continuing faculty initiatives such as a curriculum in conjunction with computer science in unmanned aerial systems to support the emerging demand for qualified operators in the entertainment, logistics and national defense industries.
Computer Science—West’s computer science faculty continue to create curriculum that reflects the dynamic nature of the technology sector in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and the Silicon Beach. From programs in VMware/cloud computing systems, Cisco networking, Microsoft networking, Oracle, CompTIA security/A+, to android and mobile applications development, Apple system administration, and web design and content management, the computer science faculty are empowering students with the skill sets they need for beginning careers or career progression. Students not only earn industry-verified stackable certificates, they are prepared to take and pass industry certification examinations. Students frequently are able to obtain employment as they complete sequences of courses and often start full-time employment even before completing all required certificate and degree requirements.
Film Production—A unique partnership between West, Hollywood Cinema Production Resources (a non-profit), and the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees, Moving Pictures, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada (IASTE) provides industry-specific training in the marketable trade skills expected of an entry-level person in the art, crafts and technicians departments of film and television. This training provides qualified students a unique opportunity to learn these specialized craft and trade skills from the industry professionals who are masters in their trade. Through industry partnerships and funded by the Senev Family Trust, students have the opportunity to actively participate in actual production of television programing, documentaries and full-length feature films, at every step of the lifecycle; script development, budget development, production scheduling, talent acquisition, product placement, print and advertising, investor relations, to distribution, all through West’s baby-studio of sorts supported by entertainment industry giants. (see picture)
Fostering curiosity and discipline, West’s approach to Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)— is to educate the upcoming inventors, developers, and scientists through full immersion creating a diverse workforce able to meet tomorrow’s scientific and technical needs. This opens doors of opportunity in biotechnology, geology, engineering, computer science, aviation, and emerging fields such as unmanned aerial technologies and high-end mobile app development. Stretching back into high schools, linking with world class research organizations such as JPL and CalTech, STEM students from West are prepared for professions that hold great promise for new discoveries, new technologies, and new ways of thinking about our future.
There is also a great support for the artist in each of us, but art today extends beyond the traditional and integrates technology. The Creative Center at West offers a unique combination of courses focusing on developing and marketing of creative people and ideas, a one-of-a-kind learning experience for the busy person looking to grow and develop their creative talents. West offers programs in Performing Arts, Film and Television, Advertising and Marketing, Interactive Content, Writing and Publishing in Print and New Media, and Design and Visual Arts, all supporting the main industry focuses of West.
The Global Institute for Entrepreneurship (GIE) is the capstone program that can be overlaid over each of the industry programs teaching the principles, tactical skills, strategic planning, risk mitigation and survival for entrepreneurship. According to Barry Sloan, associate dean, “GIE adds tremendous value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Los Angeles.” Currently a $5,000.00 scholarship per student is provided through a public/private partnership with the Senev Family Trust, enabling registrants to gain an MBA like business experience for a total tuition of $1,500.00. Dr. Sam Senev is actively involved with the GIE program. (see picture) “Innovation and entrepreneurship are the basic skills for the 21st century,” said Dr. Patricia Ciliberti, Executive Director of GIE.
West Los Angeles College, 9000 Overland Avenue, Culver City, California 90230
Contact Information:
Robert Lewis Sprague
Interim President
West Los Angeles College
Telephone: 310-880-3124
www.WLAC.edu
Patricia Ciliberti
Executive Director
Global Institute for Entrepreneurship
Telephone: 503-729-6728
www.WLAC.edu/GIE
Paul Hanley
President
Serene Haven, NCVRI
562-382-3257
www.SaveVeteranHousing.com
Source: West Los Angeles College via GLOBE NEWSWIRE
