Military and Veterans Program Impact Report FY23-24
Dear Donor,
Thank you for your generosity towards our Military and Veterans Program (MVP.
Our students and staf are grateful to have your support. This past year has been incredibly inspiring, largely due to the resilience and dedication of our veteran students.
One of the most signifcant highlights was hosting the Inaugural Veteran's Graduation aboard the historic USS Midway! This event was attended by friends and family of our graduates and distinguished guests from the CSU Chancellor's Ofce, CSU Board of Trustees, esteemed alumni, and SDSU's president.
Witnessing our students take the stage on this historic venue surrounded by their loved ones was a beautiful moment. I hope you will join us at next year's ceremony.
Once again, thank you for being an integral part of our mission. Your support continues to make a profound diference in the lives of our veteran and military-connected students.
Elisa East, M.Ed. Director, Military and Veterans Program Student Afairs and Campus Diversity
Changing Lives through Program Support
Jack McGrory Veterans Program Fund
SDSU's Military and Veterans Program received a signifcant donation to beautify and update our Veteran Center's communal space. These enhancements will signifcantly improve the overall ambiance, functionality, and sustainability of our veteran center, enhancing a welcoming and supportive environment and benefting our veterans and military-connected students and visitors to the community.
Kerr Scholarship for Enlisted Veterans
SDSU's Military and Veterans Program received a signifcant donation in the form of a scholarship that will profoundly impact student veterans who served as enlisted service members by providing essential fnancial support and enabling them to focus on their academic pursuits without the added burden of economic stress.
This scholarship will allow veterans to concentrate on their academic goals by easing the burden of fnancial worries, empowering them to excel in their studies, and enabling them to transition into civilian careers successfully. With one less barrier to overcome, our veteran students can fully embrace opportunities at SDSU, fostering their success and contributing to a stronger, more vibrant community at San Diego State.
MVP students taking a break in between classes in the Jack McGrory Bunker.
Living the Aztec Experience
Melecio Martinez, Class of 2025
Class Level: Undergraduate Student
College: College of Arts and Letters
Major: Sociology with a minor in Psychology
When I left the military, I felt lost and uncertain about starting college.
Transitioning to civilian life was daunting, and I doubted my academic abilities. However, I mustered the courage to enroll in a community college.
In my frst semester, I discovered that success in college required presence, consistency, and dedication. Utilizing the benefts I earned from the Navy provided me with the tools, experience, and confdence I needed.
The Military & Veteran Program was incredibly supportive, ofering fnancial support through a work-study position, which I had experience with from my community college.
Upon my acceptance into SDSU, I realized I was capable of achieving my goals. Now, as a junior, I am motivated to further my education and pursue my dreams, becoming more than I ever imagined.
The Military & Veteran Program was incredibly supportive, ofering fnancial support through a work-study position...
Roy Foley, Class of 2025
Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Engineering
Major: Mechanical Engineering
I served in the Navy as a Machinist Mate, helping precommission the USS destroyer Ralph Johnson (DDG-114). Transitioning to a degree in Mechanical Engineering posed challenges. I was ineligible to apply to most schools as a freshman due to completion of prior college courses and lacked the units needed to transfer.
SDSU and its Military and Veterans Program (MVP) ofered me an opportunity through the President's Military Special Admission Program. This opportunity allowed me to continue my education, for which I am deeply grateful. Over the past three years at SDSU, my involvement with the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center (JABVC) has been crucial.
As a VA work-study student, I support fellow veteran engineering students in the Troops to Engineers program by connecting them with employers and helping them build their professional networks. Additionally, my participation in the Student Veteran Organization (SVO) and work at the JABVC provide me with a sense of community and lasting friendships.
The support from MVP and JABVC has greatly enhanced my academic journey, allowing me to give back to the veteran community, and making my transition from military to civilian life positive and impactful.
The support from MVP and JABVC has greatly enhanced my academic journey, allowing me to give back to the veteran community...
Aila Yager, Class of 2026
Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Sciences
Major: Psychology
I am originally from Kansas but always planned to attend school out of state. Having visited San Diego often, I had my eye on SDSU and hoped for acceptance.
During the application process, I was in basic training and had no contact with the school, relying on my dad to keep tabs on my application.
Due to some misinformation, my application was put on hold. My dad reached out to the SDSU Veterans Center, and they quickly resolved the issue, helping me get accepted. If not for the Veterans Center, I might not have been admitted to SDSU.
Toward the end of basic training, my family FaceTimed me to share the good news of my acceptance, a goal I had since I was 14.
Being in the Army National Guard has made afording SDSU possible and helped me feel welcome. The military taught me valuable lessons in accountability and leadership, which have been crucial stepping stones in my life.
The Veterans Center community has been incredibly supportive, assisting me whenever needed and allowing me the space to succeed in school. When asked if someone should consider the military, my answer is always yes, because of the opportunities it has provided me.
“The Veterans Center community has been incredibly supportive, assisting me whenever needed and allowing me the space to succeed in school.
Celebrating Shared Success
Recent Rankings
SDSU ranked No. 69 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 & 55% more than our neighbor CSU San Marcos
21% Female veterans at SDSU
4,600 military-connected students make up 13.5% of SDSU’s student population
91% of veterans & 30% of military-connected students are adult learners (25y/o+)
95% of veterans are transfer students & 45% of incoming students are commuters
34% of military-connected students are underrepresented
MVP processed over 4,415 federal & state benefts
The average GPA for veteran students is 3.24
Military connected by college
Arts & Letters: 12%
Fowler College of Business: 18%
Education: 4%
Engineering: 12%
Health & Human Services: 11%
Professional Studies and Fine Arts: 12%
Science: 18%
Undergraduate Studies: 4%
Recent Highlights
SDSU ranked No. 69 for "best colleges for veterans," based on veteran and active-duty service member enrollment and benefts.
SDSU and the Military and Veterans Program proudly hosted the Inaugural Veterans Graduation aboard the historic USS Midway.
This special event went beyond the traditional graduation ceremonies. It provided a platform to celebrate the achievements of our veterans, active-duty members, and reserves. In celebrating their accomplishments, this ceremony not only marked the completion of their academic journey but was also a testament to our commitment and deep appreciation for their unwavering dedication to both education and service to our nation. This event recognized our veterans' unique contributions and achievements, fostered a sense of belonging, and promoted a supportive campus culture that values diversity in all its forms.
Helping to Build a Brighter Future
Jose Esparza, former United States Navy Master-at-Arms and retired Naval Reservist
Title: Military Outreach Specialist
College: Military and Veterans Program
Achievement: I want to take a moment to recognize Jose Esparza, a true asset to our Military and Veterans Program (MVP).
Jose has served SDSU's Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center for 10 years. This year, he served in two crucial roles, enabling the program to remain stable and progress signifcantly. His contributions as the Primary School Certifying Ofcial (SCO) and Military Outreach Specialist have been invaluable.
His leadership was instrumental during the Veterans Module (Vets Mode) Transition, he flled in as the Primary SCO for over a year and dedicated over 75 hours to meetings and testing Vets Mod queries, ensuring a smooth transition. He trained four new SCOs within nine months and led those SCOs in processing over 4,415 VA certifcations for a student population of 1,700. His commitment also included providing over 160 hours of VA benefts and institutional training to SCOs to ensure efciency and accuracy.
In his role as Military Outreach Specialist, he created a Power 5 outreach schedule to engage Region 10 partners in educational fairs and outreach events, resulting in three signature events last spring and four upcoming events this fall. His eforts positioned SDSU as the liaison between Region 10 and Power 5 for education fairs and outreach on naval installations and ships, resulting in engagement events at 14 naval installations and ships.
I am extremely excited to be handing of the role of Primary Certifying Ofcial to our recent hire. I feel that the reduction of this role will greatly beneft my current outreach role and enable me to create and develop targeted outreach initiatives for our military-connected populations within the San Diego Region and possibly across the country. My plan is to include Army and Air Force transitioning service members into our Department of Defense(DoD) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
