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    • Rancho Santiago Community College District provides critical support for student veterans – Orange County Register
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    Rancho Santiago Community College District provides critical support for student veterans – Orange County Register

    Pabio Posted on

    Serving as a critical support center, the Veterans Resource Centers on the campuses of Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College provide veterans with the resources and community they need to thrive both academically and personally . At the two community colleges, more than 1,000 student veterans, spouses and dependents are served each year.

    About 10 years ago, Santa Ana College’s Veterans Resource Center began with a simple table outside the student center, run by financial aid specialist Dorothy Swayne and counselors John Acuña and Jane Mathis. Today, the SAC VRC supports nearly 600 students each year in their transition from military to university and civilian life.

    At the time, SAC was the only California community college with the Veterans Upward Bound program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s TRiO grant. Today, the VUB program helps 125 new student veterans at SAC each year, providing them with the academic skills needed for postsecondary success through advising, mentoring and tutoring.

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    From left, Adam McManamy, Elizabeth Bergara and Steven Stenersen of the Veterans Resource Center at Santiago Canyon College pose for a photo in Orange on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

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    To support more student veterans, SAC was approved for TRiO’s Student Veteran Support Services, which now serves 120 veterans each year with academic advising, career exploration and financial aid counseling, including GI Bill benefits.

    Additionally, SAC receives a grant from the Santa Ana College Foundation, as well as community partners, such as US Bank, the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation, the Tierney Center for Veterans Services and Working Armoires. These resources translate into assistance to student veterans and their dependents, providing support with academics, basic needs and career preparation.

    “We do a lot of work to ensure all of our students have what they need to break down barriers,” said Brenda Estrada, OAC director of special programs who is the inaugural director of the Veterans Resource Center since 2016. “We were able to identify these needs and begin to close these gaps, giving students the opportunity to continue their education.” We don’t just help one student. We touch an entire family.

    Peer support is an integral part of the help student veterans receive during their time at SAC, and through VRC’s Veteran Education Peer Advisor Program, current student veterans become peer advisors to new veteran students coming to campus. These same students continue to impact the SAC community in other ways, like student veteran Jessica Velez, who is the current president of the Associated Student Government.

    “The transition from the military to higher education is difficult,” Estrada said. “It’s critical to give them that power of self-advocacy and the power to hold their peers accountable.” It keeps them engaged.

    Top 10 ranking

    At Santiago Canyon College, nearly 450 student veterans and their spouses and dependents receive services each year through the school’s Veterans Resource Center. After several years of sharing space, the SCC Center is in its third year as its own entity and provides a one-stop shop for the school’s student veterans with resources for counseling, tutoring and career help.

    Since many student veterans arrive on campus with prior learning experience and skills distinct from their time in the military, SCC offers several short-term programs that prepare students for careers. Whether it’s the real estate program or the school’s nationally ranked water utility science program, students can enter the job market earning a living wage in a short period of time .

    “I think what makes us unique is that we provide real-world business opportunities for veterans,” said LaKyshia Perez, SCC associate dean of student services. “Our students can take a few classes in a semester and start finding jobs with decent salaries. They want to use their military skills in the real world, and I think that’s one of the areas we’re working to help our veterans.

    For the past seven years, the SCC Veterans Resource Center has received the Military Friendly designation from Viqtory, Inc., the trademarked standard that measures an organization’s commitment to creating opportunities for the military community. SCC earned a Top 10 Gold/Spouse Friendly distinction for the 2024-2025 academic year in metrics including graduation rate, GPA, retention rate and emergency funding, placing the program veteran support school ranked in the top 10 nationally and one of only two community colleges. programs of this type in California.

    “We are truly passionate about helping our veterans and their dependents, and that shows by (receiving) this award,” said Elizabeth Bergara, student services coordinator at the Veterans Affairs Office. CCN. “This confirms our commitment to our students in helping them make the transition to higher education.”

    Earlier this month, Santa Ana College hosted a Veterans Day Resource Fair to recognize those who have served in the community and educate students about veterans on campus.

    On November 4 at 12:30 p.m., Santiago Canyon College will kick off a week-long celebration honoring veterans with an on-campus recognition ceremony.

    “They served our country,” said Perez, who is also a veteran dependent. “The least we can do is ensure they have the support they need to continue their lives beyond their military service.” They contribute to our society in many ways.

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