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Rancho Santiago Community College District provides critical support for student veterans

October 28, 2024

Serving as a vital hub of support, 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. Across the two community colleges, more than 1,000 veteran students, 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, 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 transitioning from the military to college and civilian life.

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

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

Veterans Resource Center Coordinator Elizabeth Bergara poses for a photograph at Santiago Canyon College on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Veterans Resource Center Specialist Steven Stenersen poses for a photograph at Santiago Canyon College on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

TRiO Veterans Coordinator Adam McManamy poses for a photograph at Santiago Canyon College on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

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

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To support more veteran students, SAC was approved for TRiO’s Veterans Student Support Services, now serving 120 veterans annually with academic counseling, career exploration and financial aid guidance, including GI Bill benefits.

Additionally, SAC receives grant support from the Santa Ana College Foundation, as well as community partners, such as U.S. Bank, the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation, Tierney Center for Veterans Services and Working Wardrobes. These resources translate into assistance for veteran students and their dependents, providing support in academics, basic needs and career readiness.

“We do a lot of work to ensure that all of our students have what they need to remove the barriers,” said Brenda Estrada, SAC Director of Special Programs who has served as the Veterans Resource Center inaugural director since 2016. “We’ve been able to identify those needs and start closing those gaps, allowing students the opportunity to continue their studies. We’re not just helping one student. We’re impacting an entire family.”

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

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

Top 10 ranking

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

Since many of the veteran students arrive on campus with prior learning experience and distinct skill sets from their time in the military, SCC has several shorter-term programs that get the students career-ready. Whether it’s the Real Estate Program or the school’s nationally ranked Water Utility Science Program, the students can enter the workforce earning a livable wage in a brief period of time.

“I think what makes us unique is we have hands-on trade opportunities for veterans,” said LaKyshia Perez, SCC associate dean of Student Services. “Our students are able to take a couple of classes within one semester and start to get jobs making livable wages. They want to use their skill set from the military out in the real world, and I think that’s one of the areas where we’re striving to help our veterans.”

For the past seven years, SCC’s Veterans Resource Center has received a Military Friendly designation by 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 such as graduation rate, GPA, retention rate and emergency funding, placing the school’s veterans support program among the top 10 nationally and one of only two community college programs of its kind in California.

“We’re really passionate about helping our veterans and dependents, and it shows by (receiving) this award,” said Elizabeth Bergara, student services coordinator at SCC’s Veterans Office. “It validates our commitment to our students in helping them transition into 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 about student veterans on campus.

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

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

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