Some moments remind us how much Southwest University means to all of us—our students, faculty, alumni, and community. Today is undoubtedly one of those moments.

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Jeremy Burciaga as he steps into his new role as President of Southwest University.

This transition honors the years of unwavering dedication, leadership, and care Dr. Burciaga has invested in our students and campus community. The trust he carries into this position is a direct reflection of his commitment to empowering student success and transforming lives through education.

Honoring Our Legacy, Shaping Our Future

This leadership transition marks an inspiring step forward for the entire SU family:

• Benjamin Arriola Transitions to CEO: As Benjamin Arriola moves into the role of Chief Executive Officer, he will continue to shape our long-term strategic vision, ensuring that the foundational values of Southwest University remain stronger than ever.

• Student-Centered Leadership: Under Dr. Burciaga’s leadership as President, Southwest University will continue to enrich student life, campus activities, academic programs, and community outreach.

“What begins with one person can change the lives of generations.”

This belief is at the heart of everything we do on campus—from classroom discoveries and hands-on lab training to student events and community initiatives.

Writing the Next Chapter Together

To Dr. Burciaga: Congratulations! You’ve helped shape our story over the years. Now, you lead us as we continue writing it together.

We invite all students, staff, and faculty to join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter. Be sure to stay involved, participate in upcoming campus activities, and help us keep building a bright future for Southwest University!

At Southwest University, our mission goes far beyond the classroom—it extends into the heart of our community. We were deeply honored to host a truly meaningful event on campus dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of children and families facing childhood cancer.

In collaboration with El Paso Children’s Hospital, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and Sport Clips, our students, faculty, and local community came together for a day filled with hope, solidarity, and extraordinary generosity.

Community in Action

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is renowned for its head-shaving events that raise critical funds for lifesaving childhood cancer research. Seeing our campus turn into a hub of support and active involvement was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite for a cause.

Highlights from the event included:

• Shaving for a Purpose: Brave participants took the chair to shave their heads in solidarity with children battling cancer.

• Community Partnerships: Working hand-in-hand with El Paso Children’s Hospital and Sport Clips to bring awareness and expert care support to the forefront.

• Overwhelming Generosity: Volunteers, donors, and supporters came together to raise vital funds and cheer on every participant.

“Your support made this day possible. Together, we show our regional families that they never have to fight alone.”

Thank You, SU Family!

Thank you to everyone who shaved their heads, donated, volunteered, or came out to cheer on the participants. Your energy, compassion, and commitment embody the true spirit of Southwest University.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with local organizations to empower our community and support meaningful causes throughout the year.

We are thrilled to share a major milestone for our entire campus family! Southwest University at El Paso has been named the 2026 School of the Year by Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST).

This prestigious state-level award recognizes our unwavering commitment to student success, active community service, high-impact career education, and regional workforce preparation across the state of Texas.

Celebrating Leadership & Excellence

In addition to this institutional honor, we are immensely proud to celebrate Benjamin Arriola, who was recognized for Outstanding Leadership and Service following his impactful term as Chairman of the CCST Board from 2024 to 2026.

His vision and leadership have helped elevate career-focused higher education not only at Southwest University, but across Texas.

A Shared Achievement

While awards highlight our achievements, the true reward is seeing our students succeed in their chosen careers and make a lasting impact in our region.

“This recognition belongs to our incredible students, dedicated faculty, hard-working staff, and supportive community partners who continue to move Southwest University forward every single day.”

Thank you to everyone who makes Southwest University a place where ambition meets opportunity. Let’s keep reaching new heights together!

What could you discover at Southwest University?

During our recent Waffle Day event, students from across all programs took a well-deserved break to connect, recharge, and strengthen the vibrant sense of community that defines our campus. Events like this offer more than just a sweet treat—they provide an opportunity to celebrate student life and highlight the diverse career paths being built every day at SU.

We took the opportunity to catch up with several of our Medical Assistant students to learn more about their hands-on training and personal journeys. They shared insights into the clinical skills they are mastering in our labs, the collaborative atmosphere in their classes, and what makes the program so deeply rewarding. Preparing for a high-demand career in healthcare requires dedication, and seeing our students transform their passion for helping others into practical, job-ready expertise is at the heart of our mission. At Southwest University, we remain committed to empowering students with the guidance, resources, and real-world skills needed to thrive in the medical field.

A moment that marks how far they have come and everything they are ready to step into.

Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and mentors who supported them throughout their academic journey, our Nursing students celebrated their official Pinning Ceremony. This meaningful tradition represents a major milestone shaped by relentless dedication, personal growth, and an unwavering commitment to compassionate patient care.

The pinning ceremony marks a symbolic transition from rigorous classroom and clinical preparation to the nursing profession. As these graduates prepare to enter the healthcare field, they carry with them the skills, ethics, and resilience cultivated during their time at the university. Congratulations to our future nurses on this remarkable achievement—we are confident in the profound impact you will make in the lives of your patients and communities.

You can view and download high-resolution photos from the ceremony using the official gallery link below:

View Nursing Pinning Ceremony Photos

A Day of Exploration and New Horizons at Southwest University

We were absolutely thrilled to welcome the Hartley Hurricanes to our campus for an immersive look at the incredible academic and career paths available across our colleges and programs.

Designed to give students a true feel for college life, the visit took them beyond standard presentations. They toured our modern classrooms, explored innovative learning spaces, and even stepped inside CISU’s professional kitchens to see hands-on training in action. It was the perfect opportunity for these future graduates to visualize the many paths open to them after high school.

A huge thank you to the Hartley Hurricanes for spending the day with us. We truly loved sharing our campus, our vibrant community, and all the possibilities that await.

The journey to the future starts with exploration, and we are proud to have been a part of theirs!

The Next Chapter Begins: Celebrating Our New EPISD Scholarship Recipients

A new and exciting chapter is officially underway at Southwest University. We are incredibly proud to extend a warm welcome to the recent EPISD graduates who are taking the next major step in their academic journeys right here on our campus.

These talented incoming students aren’t just starting college—they are doing so backed by well-deserved scholarships. These awards are a direct reflection of the immense hard work, unwavering dedication, and outstanding ambition that defined their high school careers and brought them to this milestone.

Investing in our local talent is at the core of what we do, and seeing the drive in these young leaders makes us confident that the future is exceptionally bright. This is only the beginning of what they will achieve.

Welcome to the SU family, graduates! We can’t wait to watch you thrive, innovate, and make your mark.

“A meaningful milestone for the future of patient care.”

Today, the Southwest University campus was filled with pride as we hosted the pinning ceremony for our Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduates. This ceremony is a powerful symbol of the hard work, clinical expertise, and professional growth our students have achieved.

Being a sonographer requires a unique blend of technical skill and human compassion. Our graduates are now ready to take on that challenge, using their expertise to provide critical diagnostic insights. We congratulate our DMS cohort on reaching this milestone and look forward to the incredible impact they will make in the lives of their future patients.

[See more behind-the-scenes and ceremony pictures here]

In the operating room, every detail matters. At Southwest University, we train our students to understand that surgical technology is an art of precision and a commitment to patient safety. Today, we celebrate the graduation of our Surgical Tech cohort—a group that truly embodies the “care behind every step.”

These graduates have spent countless hours in our labs, mastering techniques like surgical pinning and sterile processing. They have moved beyond the classroom to become vital assets to any surgical team. As they transition from students to professionals, we celebrate their resilience and the mastery they’ve achieved. They are ready, they are skilled, and they are officially prepared to serve the El Paso community with excellence.

See more behind the scenes here: Gallery

Gratitude is best expressed through action. Today, our CISU students put their skills to work to celebrate the men and women of our local fire departments. We recognize that your service goes beyond a job—it is a calling of sacrifice. This special meal is a small token of our immense appreciation for the courage you show every time the alarm sounds. Thank you for being the backbone of our community’s safety.