Southwestern Community College

[NOLAN]

Southwestern Community College is a two year public institution which is located in Creston, Iowa. It has its centers in Red Oak and Osceola. Anybody who desires and is committed to obtaining an education is welcomed here. Industrial training, career and technical education, adult and continuing education, distance/online learning and courses for transfer are offered by SWCC. There are about 10,000 students enrolled in continuing education each year. Around 23 million dollars is provided in business training programs to area businesses. This creates about 13000 new jobs.

The Red Oak center of South Western Community College offers college credit, adult education, GED and Adult Basic Education classes and customized training for local businesses and industries. Besides on-site classes, distance learning opportunities are available using the Iowa Communications network (ICN) and online classes through the Iowa Community College Online Consortium. There are nine classrooms including two ICN rooms and a 15-station computer lab in the Red Oak Center.

The co-operative efforts of Red Oak Community Schools, the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association, Buena Vista University, Bellevue University and individual, business and industrial donors opened the Red Oak Technology Center in 2002. Classroom space is provided for South western’s career academy/Tech prep programs, science classes and industrial training by the Technology Center.

The Red Oak Town Village Apartments has contributed immensely to the economic development of the Red Oak. Ali Sharaf, the owner of The Red Oak Town Village Apartments is not only an entrepreneur, but also a builder and has great passion for construction.