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

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    Serving as a vital support center, the Veterans Resource Centers on the Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College campuses provide veterans with the resources and community they need to grow 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, the Santa Ana College Veterans Resource Center began with a simple table outside the student center, led by financial aid specialist Dorothy Swayne and counselors John Acuña and Jane Mathis. Today, SAC’s VRC supports nearly 600 students each year in their transition from military to college and civilian life.

    At the time, SAC was the only community college in California with Veterans Upward Bound, funded by a US Department of Education TRiO Grant. Today, the VUB program assists 125 new student veterans annually at SAC, providing academic skills for postsecondary success through advising, mentoring and guidance.

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

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

    In addition, SAC receives support 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 Wardrobes. These resources translate into assistance for student veterans and their dependents, providing support in academics, basic needs and career preparation.

    “We put a lot of work into making sure all of our students have what they need to break down barriers,” said Brenda Estrada, SAC Director of Special Programs, who served as the inaugural director of the Veterans Resource Center in 2016. “We have was able to identify those needs and begin to close those gaps, allowing students the opportunity to continue their education. We don’t just help one student. We affect a whole family.”

    Peer support is an integral part of the assistance student veterans receive while at SAC, and through VRC’s Peer Advisors for Veteran Education program, current student veterans become peer advisors to new student veterans coming to campus . These students continue to impact the SAC community in other ways, such as veteran student Jessica Velez, who is the current Associated Student Government President.

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

    Top 10 ranking

    At Santiago Canyon College, nearly 450 student veterans and their spouses and dependents are served each year through the school’s Veterans Resource Center. After a number of years of sharing space, the SCC center is in its third year as its own entity and provides a one-stop shop for veteran students of the school with resources in counseling, guidance and career assistance.

    Because many of the student veterans arrive on campus with prior learning experiences and skill sets distinct from their time in the military, SCC has several shorter-term programs that prepare students for careers. Whether it’s the real estate program or the school’s nationally ranked water service science program, students can enter the workforce earning a livable wage in a short amount of time.

    “I think what makes us unique is that we have hands-on trade opportunities for veterans,” said LaKyshia Perez, SCC Associate Dean of Student Services. “Our students are able to take a few courses in a semester and start getting jobs with livable wages. They want to use their military skills in the real world, and I think that’s one of the areas where we strive to help our veterans.”

    For the past seven years, SCC’s Veterans Resource Center has been awarded the Military Friendly designation by Viqtory, Inc., the trademark standard that measures an organization’s commitment to creating opportunities for the military community. SCC earned Top 10 Gold / Spouse Friendly honors for the 2024-2025 academic year in metrics such as graduation rate, GPA, retention rate and emergency funding, placing the school’s veteran support program among the top 10 nationally and one of the two community colleges. programs of this kind in California.

    “We are really passionate about helping our veterans and their dependents, and it shows in (receiving) this award,” said Elizabeth Bergara, student services coordinator for the SCC Veterans Office. “This confirms our commitment to our students in helping them 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 raise awareness of student veterans on campus.

    At 12:30 p.m., Nov. 4, Santiago Canyon College will kick off a weeklong celebration of veterans with an on-campus recognition ceremony.

    “They served our country,” said Perez, who is also an addicted veteran. “The least we can do is make sure they have the support to get on with their lives beyond military service. They contribute to our society in so many ways.”

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