Military and Veterans Program Impact Report FY24-25

Dear Donor,

On behalf of SDSU’s Military and Veterans Program (MVP, thank you for your generous support over the past year. With your partnership, we expanded our team from four to seven staf members, hosted our second Annual Veterans Graduation Ceremony with over 650 attendees, and held two Career Expos that introduced more than 400 military-connected students and families to employers, mentors, and career opportunities.

It has been incredibly rewarding to witness our students’ personal and professional growth as they navigate life beyond military service and redefne their goals. Looking ahead, MVP is actively developing a comprehensive career development program to better prepare our veterans and military-connected students for success in the workforce. We are also exploring research initiatives aimed at deepening our understanding and enhancing support for the veteran community.

Your continued generosity fuels this progress and empowers us to expand our impact. Thank you for helping us create meaningful opportunities and lasting change.

Elisa East, M.A.Ed. Director Military and Veterans Program

Propelling the SDSU Community Forward

AYCO

Charitable Foundation

for the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center Operations Fund

This thoughtful funding is helping transform the Veterans Center into a more suitable space for studying and building community. The renovation will include fresh paint and updated window treatments to brighten and refresh the space, as well as cohesive fooring enhancements that create an inviting and professional environment. This renovation will support the academic success of our veteran and militaryconnected students and serve as a daily reminder of the strong community that stands behind them and believes in their success.

Jim and Janet Sinegal Endowment for the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center

The Jim and Janet Sinegal Endowment for the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center will allow the Military and Veterans Program to deliver more robust and comprehensive wraparound services for veteran and military-connected students. This support will not only enhance academic success but also expand career and professional development, while helping students build community and strengthen their educational and social capital—empowering them for long-term success beyond the classroom.

Our Change Foundation for the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center Operations Fund

Thanks to this funding, the Veterans Center will be enhanced with thoughtful additions such as inspiring wall art and cohesive, functional seating and lounge areas that create a welcoming environment for veterans and military-connected students. This transformative gift will foster a sense of belonging while supporting their academic success, well-being, and career development.

Thriving in the Aztec Experience

Karen Au, Class of 2027

Class Level: Undergraduate Student

College: Fowler College of Business

Major: Management Information Systems

As a Navy veteran with 10 years of service and the frst in my family to attend college, beginning my academic journey was both intimidating and uncertain. The transition from military to civilian life, and then to student life, was challenging in ways I didn’t expect.

The support I received from the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center at SDSU made all the diference. From guiding me through the President’s Military Special Admission Program to welcoming me into a work-study position, they helped me fnd stability, purpose, and confdence in this new chapter. Their encouragement gave me the tools to succeed academically and helped me feel connected again. I’ve grown not just as a student, but also as a leader and advocate for others.

Because of this support, I’ve been able to pursue goals I once thought were out of reach and give back by helping other military-afliated students fnd their own paths forward.

“ I’ve grown not just as a student but also as a leader and advocate for others.

Kelly Sorber, Class of 2027

Class Level: Graduate Student

College: College of Arts and Letters

Major: History - War and Society

I transferred to SDSU in Fall 2022 as a third-year student, a single mother of two, and a retired Navy veteran. I was nervous about campus life, coming from two semesters at San Diego Mesa College and starting school amid lingering pandemic closures.

A week before classes began, I happened upon the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, which was hiring for work-study. It was one of the few jobs I applied for and exactly what I needed. The staf welcomed me, supported my transition, and helped me access military education benefts to pursue my undergraduate degree in social science, and now, a graduate degree in history.

Over the past three years, the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center has been a steady source of support, connecting me with testing accommodations, study spaces like the one outside the Latinx Resource Center, and involvement in the Student Veterans Organization and War Memorial Board. Without it, I might’ve just gone to class and back home. Instead, I found purpose, community, and the confdence to keep going.

Without [a steady source of support], I might’ve just gone to class and back home. Instead, I found purpose, community, and the confdence to keep going.

Arturo Gourentchik, Class of 2026

Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Sciences

Major: Computer Sciences

My higher education journey began in Delaware after high school, but without clear direction, I left after a few semesters and joined the Navy. I wanted to see the world, gain life experience, and return to school using the GI Bill. I started as an undesignated airman in Pt. Mugu, California, and later became an air trafc controller, serving for seven years.

When I transitioned back to civilian life, I was focused and determined to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

I settled in San Diego and enrolled at Mesa College to complete prerequisites for SDSU. The transition was challenging—I had to readjust to student life and being older than most of my classmates. Being accepted to SDSU felt like a major milestone, validating all my hard work. The Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center provided incredible support through the transfer process and helped me navigate my benefts.

Now, as a work-study student at the center, I enjoy connecting with other veterans. I’m also thankful for the Troops to Engineers Program and the networking events that have boosted my confdence as I begin my job search.

“

The Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center provided incredible support through the transfer process and helped me navigate my benefts.

Celebrating Shared Success

Recent Rankings

SDSU ranked No. 70 for "Best Colleges for Veterans," based on veteran and active-duty service member enrollment and benefts.

Statistics of Interest

SDSU has 25% more veterans than any CSU and 55% more than our neighbor, CSU San Marcos

21% of student-veterans at SDSU are female

4,600 military-connected students make up 13.5% of SDSU’s student population

91% of veterans and 30% of military-connected students are adult learners (25y/o+)

95% of veterans are transfer students, and 45% of incoming students are commuters

34% of military-connected students are historically underrepresented

MVP processed over 4,420 federal and state benefts

The average GPA for veteran students is 3.24

Military-connected students by college at the university are distributed as follows: Fowler College of Business and College of Sciences each have 18%, College of Arts and Letters and Professional Studies and Fine Arts each have 12%, College of Engineering has 12%, College of Health and Human Services has 11%, while College of Education and Undergraduate Studies each represent 4%.

Recent Highlights

The Department of Veterans Afairs (VA) "VA Roadshow": The Military and Veterans Program at SDSU proudly hosted the "VA Roadshow," becoming the only campus on the West Coast to secure a visit from this national initiative. This special event brought together over 300 colleagues and students from veterans resource centers across the CSU, UC, community colleges, and vocational campuses throughout Southern California.

Career Expo: This career exploration event connected over 400 military-afliated students with 45 employers, resources, and representatives from universities and colleges.

Explore SDSU: This orientation event featured an introductory benefts seminar for over 200 students, welcomed more than 150 families to the Veterans Center, and engaged with approximately 15,000 prospective students in a single day.

Military & Veterans Program Graduation: SDSU and the Joan & Art Barron Veterans Center proudly hosted the inaugural Veterans Graduation aboard the historic USS Midway in San Diego, California, with over 600 students and family members in attendance, and 85 military-afliated graduates—12 of whom were Military & Veterans Program work-study students.

Veteran Symposium: The MVP team led workshops for veteran-serving programs within the CSU, UC, and community college systems, equipping institutions with the tools and knowledge needed to better support the veteran and military community, fostering broader institutional support and enhanced academic success for veterans.

We invite you to review MVP's Fiscal Year 2024-25 annual report for more details.

School Certifying Ofcials

Title: Various

College: Military & Veterans Program

Achievement: Recognizing the School Certifying Ofcial (SCO) team, who serve as the backbone of the Military & Veterans Program.

The newly formed SCO team at SDSU’s Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center has built a cohesive and unifed front to support active duty military, veterans, and their families. Over the past year, the team has not only fulflled their core responsibilities of ensuring accurate and timely VA education beneft certifcation, but they have also driven signifcant program growth and institutional impact.

Their expertise in VA compliance is recognized across California and beyond. They’ve spoken at major conferences, advised peer institutions, and guided best practices. In 2024, they hosted SDSU’s frst Veterans Graduation, establishing a new tradition honoring student veterans’ academic achievements.

Programmatically, the team has expanded services by streamlining benefts processing, enhancing outreach to veteran populations, and developing new partnerships with academic departments and student services. These eforts have resulted in increased student engagement, improved beneft utilization rates, and a stronger sense of community among the respective population.

SDSU’s impact as a leader in veteran support was further recognized when it became the only campus in the nation selected to host the U.S. Department of Veterans Afairs Roadshow, highlighting the university’s commitment to innovation, transparency, and student-centered service delivery. Together, the SCOs have transformed their ofce into a model of excellence, setting a new standard for veteran services in higher education.

"I started of as a work-study student for MVP and later became a School Certifying Ofcial while completing my master’s degree. The Veterans Center has empowered me to continue learning while also giving back to my veteran and military-connected community." – Elise Gary

"Working at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to support fellow service members while transitioning into civilian life. As a California native, it’s been especially meaningful to give back to the veteran community in my home state." – Jackie Lopez

SDSU Reserve Ofcers' Training Corps (ROTC)

The generous support of the Blessing Combat Leadership Panel Endowment has continued to make an outsized impact on the Cadets of Air Force ROTC Detachment 075. Through three main engagements, Cadets were provided opportunities to interact with Company Grade Ofcers from career felds across the United States Air Force and Space Force. Every Cadet participated in at least one—and some, all three—of the events, gaining invaluable perspective and mentorship from the experience.

November 2024 Career Day:

The capstone event for Fall 2024 was Detachment 075 Career Day, held during one of our 14 Leadership Laboratory sessions. More than 25 ofcers, representing over 18 Air Force and Space Force specialties, attended the event and interacted with all 150+ Cadets. Pilots, lawyers, acquisitions professionals, engineers, public afairs ofcers, and more answered questions and built connections with our Cadets. The event also included a sit-down breakfast for all visiting ofcers and Senior Class Cadets, providing an additional 90 minutes of direct interaction and mentorship.

April 2025 Base Visit:

Our main Professional Development Training engagement for Spring 2025 was a base visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base. Fifteen Cadets and two Cadre escort ofcers engaged with base personnel, observed mission preparation, and witnessed a space launch. As part of the trip, the Blessing Endowment sponsored a dinner for the Cadets and a panel of Company Grade Ofcers from the base. This event was unanimously hailed as a highlight of the trip, as each Cadet had multiple, meaningful interactions with ofcers from various career felds.

Spring 2025 Commissioning:

Our Commissioning Ceremony aboard the USS Midway was a tremendous success. The Blessing Endowment provided funding for both the ceremony and a "pre-ception" event, where Commissionees interacted with visiting ofcers, senior enlisted members, and guest speaker Barbara M. Barrett, the 25th Secretary of the Air Force. This event was a ftting culmination of more than four years of hard work and served as a networking and mentoring opportunity with current and former Department of Defense personnel.