Southland College

The preparations for the new school started in March 2009, through initial effort and funding of Dr. Anecito Diputado Villaluz Jr., and his wife Mrs. Annette Zayco Villaluz with the construction of new facilities, training of the new faculty and staff and completion of the paperwork to be submitted to the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education. On March 24, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formally recognized Southland College of Kabankalan City as a formal corporation, setting of the great chain reaction of events. Taking the recognition as validity the SC Administration, Faculty and Staff did not look back. The Department of Education (DepEd) Western Visayas regional office issued the permit to operate basic education levels on June 1, 2009, together with that development, the Institution established a consortium with the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) for degree programs in BS Accountancy, BS Accounting Technology, BS Business Administration, BS Hospitality Management, and Diploma in Midwifery. This partnership was vital to the growth of such a young but aggressive new school and these partnerships were only realized through the effort of our late President Dr. Villaluz.

In a show of strength and approval of our friends in the community of Kabankalan City for the Institution, our administrators, faculty, staff, parents and guardians all pitched in with a significant combined effort added to that resources being donated in order to strengthen the mustard seed of a school. Each SC team member welcomed various assigned tasks and never once complained knowing that the blood, sweat and tears were only rewarded initially with genuine gratitude. It was evident that God was shaping Southlands' destiny through the hearts, hands, and minds of these truly vital individuals.

A visit from the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQUAT) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) supervisors proved that Southland College was ready to compete with the seasoned Institutions and they wholeheartedly issued permits for all degree programs after validating the requirements and inspecting the facilities of the campuses. So officially full operations began on May 13, 2009, at the small campus in Don Emilio Village Phase 1. It was then followed by a grand caravan to formally introduce and to officially launch the newest Institution in the south. The following days, weeks and months saw the stylish and classy advertisements and promotional blitzes in various towns and cities to awaken the communities to let them know that there was a new player in the south by the name of Southland College.

By the end of the enrolment period, the LORD blessed Southland College by providing the initial number of 300 plus students enrolled in the various levels. It was an impressive number for a new school that opened within a few month's but as it was clearly mentioned that it was the LORD who did a might work and used the vessels of the people in the community.

In order for the Southland Family to not foget about the goodness of the LORD, a simple thanksgiving service with the theme “Triumph Amid Trials” was held on August 28, 2009. It was immediately followed by the school’s very first academic convocation. In attendance were the student council officers, officers of the faculty and staff club, and parents and teachers association officers, then inducted that afternoon.

With the significant and expedited establishment and growth of the school controversy soon followed, but it was all part of the process in establishing a strong foundation that will never be shaken.

As November 2009 rolled around, the School of Basic Education was given Government Recognition then followed by the Diploma in Midwifery in November 2010. Further solidifying the drive for greater goals for the Institution.

The school invested a college complex[2] with modern classroom convenience and facilities to cater the needs of its students, construction start in March 2010 and was completed in August of 2012. Since then the growth has been exponential, this has been accredited to the Southland Leaders who have dedicated their lives to see that the mustard seed of a dream called Southland will reign supreme in the global arena as the Vision states.

DOMINUS FORTITUDO NOSTRA = THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH

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