For the second consecutive year, the Guy and Olive Lookabaugh Foundation has fully funded tuition for an entire entering cohort of Vocational Nursing students at Southwestern College, reinforcing a shared commitment to eldercare, workforce development, and student success.
The donation was recognized during an on-campus event at the Southwestern College Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa, located at 8100 Gigantic St. in San Diego.
The gathering, held in Room 4312, included vocational nursing students, Dianne Lookabaugh of the Guy and Olive Lookabaugh Foundation, and Samantha Girard, senior program director for Nursing & Health Occupations at Southwestern College.
According to Girard, the foundation’s decision to fully fund a second cohort reflects both its mission and its confidence in the college’s program.
“The Lookabaugh Foundation recognizes the critical role vocational nurses play in caring for older adults and vulnerable populations,” Girard said. “Their decision to fund a second full cohort reflects both their mission to support students preparing to work in geriatrics and eldercare, and their confidence in Southwestern College’s Vocational Nursing Program, which closely aligns with those values.”
All 27 students admitted into the current vocational nursing cohort automatically received the tuition support. Girard said the gift was intentionally designed to benefit the entire class.
“The gift was designed to support the entire entering cohort of the vocational nursing program,” she said. “All 27 students who were admitted into this cohort automatically received the tuition support; there was no separate application or competitive selection process.”
The $2,400-per-student donation covers tuition and associated instructional fees for the program’s three semesters. Girard noted that some costs typical of nursing programs are not included.
“The Lookabaugh Foundation donation covers tuition and associated instructional fees for the three-semester Vocational Nursing Program,” she said. “As with most nursing programs, students may still be responsible for certain non-tuition costs such as textbooks, uniforms, background checks, immunizations, and transportation to clinical sites.”
By removing tuition as a barrier, the donation allows students to focus more fully on the program’s academic and clinical demands. Girard said this type of support is widely associated with improved student outcomes.
“Removing the financial barrier of tuition allows students to focus fully on their rigorous academic and clinical training,” she said. “While long-term data is still being collected, national and institutional experience consistently shows that tuition assistance reduces student stress and supports persistence and program completion.”
Girard said the investment also aligns closely with workforce needs across San Diego County, particularly in the South Bay, where demand for vocational nurses remains strong.
“San Diego County, including the South Bay, continues to experience strong demand for vocational nurses, particularly in long-term care, assisted living, and community health settings,” she said. “This investment helps strengthen the local nursing pipeline and ensures graduates are prepared to serve the communities where the need is greatest.”
Many Southwestern College Vocational Nursing students complete clinical placements at local assisted living facilities, directly supporting the foundation’s focus on eldercare. Family members of the Lookabaugh Foundation live in the San Diego area, further strengthening the local connection.
The foundation first funded a full Vocational Nursing cohort in 2024. Girard said that the initial partnership demonstrated the benefits of collective support.
“That initial partnership demonstrated the power of collective giving,” she said. “Students were able to progress through the program without tuition-related financial strain.”
Graduation, licensure, and employment outcomes from that cohort continue to be tracked as part of the college’s standard program assessment process.
The Lookabaugh Foundation has committed to supporting two consecutive cohorts, including the current group. Girard said Southwestern College remains grateful for the partnership.
“Southwestern College remains deeply grateful for this partnership and continues to explore opportunities to expand philanthropic support across other high-need healthcare pathways,” she said.
The college recognizes the foundation through program events, student ceremonies, and college communications, while honoring its preference for a thoughtful approach to recognition. Girard said long-term impact will be measured through “student persistence, completion, licensure outcomes, and graduate employment in the region’s healthcare workforce.”
Southwestern College’s Vocational Nursing Program offers hands-on, flexible training, including a state-of-the-art lab and supervised clinical experience in local healthcare facilities, preparing graduates for immediate entry into the workforce.
