The purpose of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is to address the unique needs of our veteran student population and provide the tools that each individual veteran needs in order to meet his/her educational goals.

For a returning veteran, the academic world poses considerable challenges, as most individuals returning from military service have not attended traditional academic programs for several years.

To meet the needs of these deserving students, Golden West College established a Veterans Resource Center to provide an on-campus point of contact for their veteran-related questions and needs as they navigate the college system. The overall goal is to deliver services to optimize academic success, which involves collaboration with GWC support services: Enrollment Center, Counseling Services, Disabled Students Programs and Services, Financial Aid, Student Health Center, Tutorial Center, and Learning Resource Center.

In addition, representatives from organizations such as U.S. Vets, O.C. Vets and the Veterans Administration visit the center to provide additional information about VA benefits, housing, personal counseling, and referrals to other services.

Most importantly, the VRC provides students with a place to socialize with fellow veterans and is a meeting place for the newly established GWC Student Veteran Organization. There is no better way for veterans to adjust to campus life than with students who share their military experiences. Veterans are accustomed to working as a team and students who make a connection with other students are more likely to achieve their educational goals.

Veterans Education & Transition Services (VETS)

vets@gwc.cccd.edu
(714) 892-7711 ext. 55030

Becoming a member of the GWC Student Veteran Organization (SVO) makes it possible for student veterans to stay connected throughout their educational experience and become involved in campus activities as well as connect with the community.

To join the organization, stop by the Veterans Resource Center.

We now offer a Chromebook Loan Program to Veterans at GWC! Please visit the VRC for more information!

GWC is committed to supporting the wellbeing of all our students! Please visit the VRC for snacks and school supplies! Please visit The Stand for further food resources! Please visit The Rack for professional clothing needs!

In January 2014, as a result of the passion and support of Golden West Colleges dedicated classified staff, faculty and administrators, a team of individuals stepped forward to lead the dialogue and direction of Veterans Services and the future of support services at Golden West College. The GWC Veterans Taskforce serves as a cross-divisional team collaborating amongst the Vice President of Student Life and Administrative Services, the Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning, and the Office of the President.

Mission: Establish a task force among staff, faculty, administrators, and students to identify and strengthen support and connections for GWC Student Veterans across all different Veterans Support Areas including: Veterans Enrollment Services, Veterans Resource Center, and the Student Veterans Organization.

The GWC Veterans Task Force is an open membership opportunity for anyonestaff, faculty, administration, or student who is passionate about collaborating to make a difference in the opportunities and services for GWC Veterans.

Task Force Members:

Carla Martinez
VETS Task Force Chair, Dean of Students

Heather Antunez
Counselor

Chad Bowman
Director, DSPS

Stephani Rogers
School Certifying Official

Susana Castellanos-Gaona
SSSP/Student Equity Coordinator

Sheila Cox
Staff Assistant, GWC Foundation (Army: 1988-1990)

Karen Dickerson
Faculty, Counsellor

Andrea Garcia
Manager, Student Financial Aid

Christina Oja
Executive Assistant to the President

Nancy Nguyen
Counselor

Yvonne Portillo
Counselor

Stephanie Smallshaw
Staff Aide

For further information about upcoming meetings or questions regarding the VETS Task Force, please contact Carla Martinez at cmartinez@gwc.cccd.edu or 714-895-8966.

Citizens and organizations donate funds for scholarships to be awarded to deserving Golden West College students. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need, and/or contribution to campus and community life according to the criteria set up by the donor.

Application forms are available in November of each year and awards are presented in May at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony. Funds are available the following academic year. For information about scholarship opportunities at GWC, visit GWC scholarships

The mission of the VET NET Ally Program is to:

• establish a network of visible Allies to provide support, information, and assistance for service members and veterans;
• provide service members and veterans with comfortable access to trustworthy,knowledgeable, and sensitive people who can provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment;
• provide an opportunity for GWC faculty and staff to demonstrate support for service members and veterans;
• provide all students on campus an opportunity to respond to instances of discrimination or harassment based on perceived or self-reported status as a service member or veteran;
• educate members of the college community about the needs and concerns of service members and veterans;
• assist college personnel in understanding that discrimination based on status as a service member or veteran is harmful to the campus environment for all;
• foster a campus atmosphere that supports the academic freedom and professional, personal and social success of service members and veterans; and
• advance the colleges progress towards a campus that discourages discrimination and openly celebrates diversity.

Seminar InformationThe Golden West College VET NET Ally Program is modeled after the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) VET NET Ally program founded by Marshall Thomas, Ph.D.GWC faculty, staff, and administrators can become a veteran ally by attending a half-day seminar, which includes:

• VET NET Ally program mission and GWCs approach to assisting veterans in their academic pursuits
• Veterans experiences in the classroom
• Military and post-service culture
• Why I joined
• Who would you tell? An experiential activity addressing the reasons men and women may or may not talk about their military experience
• Veterans issues in Higher Education
• Student veteran panel
• Being an Ally

At the end of the seminar, participants are given a decal to display in their office, classroom, workspace let student veterans know they are sensitive to their needs and are prepared to act as an ally to GWCs student veterans and willing to help them succeed.

Golden West College Vet Net Allies:

• Heather Antunez
• Denise Bon
• Chad Bowman
• Desire Campusano
• Meredith Carr
• Diana Castellanos
• Stephani Rogers
• Ryan Chung
• Sheila Cox
• Jason Deitrich
• Karen Dickerson
• Angie Goetz
• Damien Jordan
• Jill R. Kiefer
• Alana Krause
• Tannia Martinez
• Carla Martinez
• April Millikan
• Sacha Moore
• Nancy Nguyen
• Christina Oja
• Jennifer Ortberg
• Nikki Phan
• Tracee Phomprasack
• Bruce A. Smith
• Linda Ternes
• Chan Tran
• Phien Tran
• Tien Tran
• Tere Vasquez
• Valerie Venegas
• Jennifer Wilcox
• Savannah Zubia

BUDDY CHECK 22 is a day to call a veteran that you know and check in on them to hopefully change the fact that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. The best part You don't have to go ANYWHERE. Invite your friends, have them invite theirs, and be a part of something that may just save a life. Its 2 minutes out of your day, and every veteran deserves to know that we still care about them.

Mark your calendar for the 22nd of every month and call a veteran.

Buddy Check 22 for more information

VOALA programs address the myriad issues facing Veterans and their families including depression, anxiety, PTSD, TBI, substance use disorders, homelessness, unemployment, and lack of education. Our support helps Veterans overcome the barriers that stand between them and a stable, secure life. Mental health, housing, employment and case management is at the core of our Veterans programs.

https://voala.org/services/veterans/

Veteran’s Day Ceremonies

The Veterans Task Force hosted the End of the Year Recognition to celebrate the accomplishments of GWCs student veterans and dependents. Scholarship winners and honor roll students joined the graduates at a reception attended by school administrators, faculty, staff, and families. Graduates received red, white, and blue military honor cords to be worn at their commencement ceremony.

A sincere thank you to the GWC Foundation and the Student Veteran Organization: without their support, this event would not have been possible.

VETS@Ease is an orientation program designed to assist in the transition from service member to successful student. Faculty and staff discuss topics related to student success including transition to college, overcoming math anxiety, working with faculty, as well as financial aid, the Student Health Center, DSPS, Tutoring, and the Veterans Resource Center.

Please contact VETS@gwc.cccd.edu to learn more about the upcoming VETS@Ease program.