Westmont College, with its rich history spanning more than 85 years, has emerged as an institution known for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence intertwined with a deep love for God. Year after year, it earns accolades as one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation. From the college’s inception, Westmont’s faculty, staff, and students have wholeheartedly embraced the visionary ideals of Ruth Kerr, the principal founder and business owner, and Wallace Emerson, the esteemed scholar who served as its first president. Their collective vision birthed an institution dedicated to providing a transformative education rooted in the Christian faith.
At Westmont, intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth forms the cornerstone of the educational experience. The college strongly focuses on undergraduate students, nurturing their intellectual curiosity and fostering a love for learning. Recognizing the vital importance of research, Westmont places a high value on empowering students to engage in scholarly inquiry and exploration.
The Westmont community thrives on interconnectedness and lifelong relationships as students, faculty, and staff unite to create a vibrant and supportive campus environment. Nestled in the breathtaking surroundings of Santa Barbara, the residential campus provides an idyllic setting that inspires and nurtures personal development.
With a global perspective woven into its curriculum, Westmont equips graduates to be leaders and servants in diverse spheres of society, transcending geographical boundaries. The college remains steadfast in its dedication to honoring its mission and legacy while continuously enhancing the quality of its programs and nurturing its exceptional community.
Empowering Students for Success through Diverse Academic Programs
Westmont College boasts an impressive array of academic programs designed to equip students for success in their chosen fields and beyond. With nearly 100 programs to choose from, including 28 majors and 38 minors, students at Westmont choose from a diverse range of options to pursue their passions and prepare for future endeavors.
The college offers 12 pre-professional programs, enabling students to lay a solid foundation for advanced study or entry into their desired professions. These programs provide specialized training and guidance in law, medicine, business, and psychology.
For those aspiring to a career in nursing, Westmont offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). This intensive program provides a streamlined pathway for students to obtain their nursing degree, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the rapidly evolving healthcare field.
Westmont is also committed to preparing future educators, offering elementary and secondary teaching credentials. These programs provide comprehensive training and hands-on experiences to develop effective teaching methodologies and foster a passion for guiding and shaping young minds.
One of Westmont’s strengths is its dedication to helping students complete their degrees on time. With most students finishing their programs in four years or fewer, Westmont ensures that students can efficiently progress toward their academic and career goals.
Furthermore, Westmont takes pride in the exceptional outcomes of its graduates. About 95 percent of seniors find employment or pursue advanced degrees within six months of graduating, a testament to the quality of education and the market relevance of Westmont’s programs.
Fostering Academic Excellence and Intellectual Growth
Westmont College’s core values define its distinctive identity and guide its educational philosophy. They shape the college’s approach to learning, its commitment to excellence, and its mission of fostering intellectual and spiritual growth within a faith-based environment.
Westmont’s core values include academic rigor. As the top-ranked Christian liberal arts college in California, Westmont seeks to push students to new academic heights through a combination of factors, including small class sizes, which encourage personalized attention and meaningful interactions with professors. With their expertise and commitment to excellence, Westmont’s professors challenge students to think deeply, boosting critical analysis, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge across various disciplines. This commitment to academic rigor ensures that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for the challenges and complexities of the world.
Another core value of Westmont College is its robust liberal arts curriculum. Recognizing the transformative power of a well-rounded education, the college broadly emphasizes the importance of learning. The liberal arts curriculum provides students with a comprehensive foundation in various disciplines, enabling them to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and cultural literacy. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to make connections across different fields of study, fostering a holistic understanding of the world and preparing them to address complex, real-world challenges.
Faith lies at the heart of Westmont’s core values. As a Christian institution, the college seeks to integrate faith and learning, encouraging students to explore the intersections between their academic and spiritual pursuits. The college’s commitment to a Christian worldview shapes its educational environment, fostering an atmosphere of faith, reflection, and moral discernment. Westmont values the development of the whole person, nurturing spiritual growth alongside intellectual and personal development.
Fostering Personalized Learning and Collaborative Research
Westmont College prides itself on its exceptional student-teacher ratio, which fosters a personalized and engaging educational experience. With an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 and an average class size of 18, the college ensures that students receive individualized attention and meaningful interactions with their professors.
The intimate class sizes at Westmont create an environment where students can actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and collaborate with their peers. Small classes allow professors to get to know their students personally, tailoring their teaching to meet individual needs and interests. This close interaction cultivates a sense of community and intellectual camaraderie, creating an atmosphere where students feel supported and encouraged to excel.
One notable benefit of the low student-teacher ratio is the opportunity for students to conduct research with their professors. At Westmont, students can collaborate with faculty members on research projects or pursue independent research endeavors. This hands-on experience not only deepens students’ understanding of their chosen fields but also allows them to contribute to advancing knowledge. The college celebrates and recognizes these achievements through student research symposiums held twice a year, providing a platform for students to showcase their scholarly pursuits.
A Tranquil Oasis for Academic Excellence and Community Engagement
Nestled in the breathtaking Montecito area of Santa Barbara, Westmont College boasts one of the most stunning campuses in the country. Its picturesque grounds showcase a harmonious blend of architectural beauty and natural landscapes. The campus features a magnificent Mediterranean estate house adorned with formal gardens, scenic pathways, stone bridges, and serene wooded areas. The buildings seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains and just minutes away from the enchanting Pacific Ocean. This idyllic setting provides students with an inspiring and tranquil backdrop for their educational journey.
In the past 15 years, Westmont has made significant investments in expanding its facilities to meet the evolving needs of its community. Adding new academic buildings, residence halls, and athletic fields reflects the college’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art resources for its students. These modern facilities further enhance the learning experience, creating spaces fostering collaboration, innovation, and personal growth.
Westmont considers fostering community and belonging a top priority. The college recognizes the importance of ensuring that students feel comfortable, included, and valued. With about 90 percent of students living on campus, Westmont embraces a residential learning experience that encourages deep connections and meaningful relationships among students. Living nearby allows for spontaneous interactions, forging lifelong friendships and a strong support network.
To affirm diversity, global citizenship, and cross-cultural understanding, Westmont actively promotes an inclusive and welcoming campus environment. The college values and celebrates the rich tapestry of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences each student brings. It encourages dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual respect among its diverse student body. Through various initiatives, such as multicultural events, international programs, and student organizations, Westmont cultivates an environment where students can explore their interests, learn from one another, and develop a global mindset.
Vibrant Campus Life with Diverse Extracurricular Opportunities
Westmont College offers diverse extracurricular activities and resources that enhance the student experience. The transition to the PacWest Conference and NCAA Division II expands athletic opportunities for students in sports such as baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and more. The college’s music program presents captivating performances by the Westmont Orchestra, Westmont Jazz Band, College Choir, and Chamber Singers. The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art hosts exhibitions by renowned artists, including the annual Senior Show. The Westmont Festival Theatre showcases two major productions each year, along with the Westmont Fringe Festival and works by student playwrights.
Additionally, students can join more than 40 diverse clubs, including Adventure Club, NSTEP Dance, Swing Dance, Writer’s Guild, Vespers, and many more. These extracurricular activities and resources contribute to a vibrant and engaging campus life, allowing students to explore their interests, talents, and passions beyond their academic pursuits.
Career Development and Support at Westmont College
Westmont College is committed to equipping its students with the necessary skills and resources to excel in their careers. The institution offers a range of career opportunities and support services to graduating students, ensuring a smooth transition into the workforce or further education.
Through internships, students can gain valuable hands-on experience and apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Engineering majors, for example, have secured internships at prestigious companies like Northrop Grumman, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Raytheon. These opportunities provide practical skills and foster professional connections that can strengthen future career prospects.
Faculty mentors provide crucial guidance and support as students navigate their career paths. With their expertise and industry connections, Westmont professors offer valuable insights and advice, helping students make informed decisions about their professional aspirations.
In addition, Westmont’s career services office provides comprehensive support to students, assisting them in finding professions that align with their skills, interests, and values. The emphasis on a Christian liberal arts foundation in the engineering program is particularly noteworthy. This combination of technical competence and a well-rounded education cultivates graduates with strong technical skills and essential qualities such as leadership, teamwork, conflict management, interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication. The engineering industry increasingly values these capabilities, enhancing the career prospects of Westmont’s engineering graduates.
Nurturing Well-Rounded, Industry-Ready Professionals
Westmont College equips students for a range of positions, preparing them to tackle future challenges thanks to thorough technical and scientific training that fosters collaboration and problem-solving skills and cultivates moral discernment. Through an interdisciplinary approach and the integration of Christian liberal arts, graduates develop the ability to think critically, adapt to changing circumstances, and address complex issues with creativity and innovation. By embracing the National Science Foundation’s call to blend science, engineering, and the arts, Westmont prepares students to find innovative solutions to enduring problems, contribute to social mobility, care for the environment, reduce poverty, and promote human welfare.
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