San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association

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1 San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association Serving Members of the U.S. Military and their Families at a Glance GROSSMONT/CUYAMACA 2153 veterans and dependents IMPERIAL VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 33 veterans MIRACOSTA COLLEGE 1741 active duty and veterans 1031 dependents 2772 veterans and dependents PALOMAR COLLEGE 267 current active duty 173 current dependent 1119 veterans drawing VA benefits 1559 veterans and dependents SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (City, Mesa and Miramar colleges) 8,500 active duty military and veteran students 4,000 military spouses and dependents 12,500 veterans and dependents SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE 950 veterans 744 active duty and dependents 1694 veterans and dependents TOTAL: 20,800 active duty/veterans/dependents 2012 INFORMATION BOOKLET 21

2 Military Friendly Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are included in the 2013 list of military friendly schools by G.I. Jobs, a national monthly magazine focusing on veterans making the transition to the civilian workforce. Its Guide to Military Friendly Schools honored the top 15 percent of 12,000 colleges, universities, community colleges and vocational schools polled for doing the most to embrace America s veterans as students and to assist veterans with their educational goals. The colleges are members of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium, a group that has imposed military-friendly practices such as awarding credit for military training and experience. As recommended by the American Council on Education guidelines, up to 20 units of credit can be awarded for work similar to our college courses. W ith more than 260,000 veterans residing in San Diego County and the largest number of military retirees anywhere in the nation, this region is rightly known as a military town. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District values the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women of the U.S. armed forces. The district has seen its enrollment of veterans climb to more than 2,000 a year since the 2008 enactment of the Post 9/11 G.I Bill. This trend is expected to continue as the U.S. military offensive winds down in the Middle East and returning soldiers enroll in our colleges in their transition back to civilian life. Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges offer an array of services and programs for veterans, active-duty military and their dependents. The district is deeply committed to helping those who count on the education and training provided as they embark on their journey toward future success. Services and benefits our colleges provide include: Priority class registration for those enrolling within four years of their separation from service. With budget cuts sharply reducing class offerings, first-in-line privileges are a major benefit to veterans. Counselors well-versed in the needs of veterans. Workshops, orientations, as well as veteran-specific counseling, assessments and educational planning are offered. Transition-skills classes help veterans improve their note-taking and testing, time management, and other skills needed for college success. Veteran services are based on a comprehensive network between Admission and Records, Financial Aid, Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS), and Counseling. Veteran Affairs Offices with staff trained in the certification of classes to ensure veterans are receiving VA benefits such as housing allowances and payment for fees and textbooks promptly and efficiently A 500-square-foot Veterans Resource Center at Grossmont College is staffed by veterans and provides access to computers and assistive technologies, academic counseling, peer support and mentoring, financial aid resources and referrals to outside agencies. When it opened in 2010, the VRC was one of only 15 in community colleges statewide. VA Work Study programs that provide paid work experience at the colleges veterans offices, VA Regional Office, VA medical facilities or at state employment offices. DSPS connects veterans to community-based resources for assistance with post-traumatic stress disorder counseling and learning disability assessment. A VA-backed program provides private tutoring to qualifying veterans. Student Veteran Organizations foster camaraderie between members and provide outreach to fellow veterans. Cuyamaca College s weeklong activities leading up to Veterans Day 2011 included a breakfast for veteran students, a Skype session with a soldier in Afghanistan, and a presentation to faculty and staff by former military members and experts on the challenges many veterans face adjusting to campus life. 22 SDICCCA

3 MiraCosta CoMMunity College s erves veter an s Quick Facts MiraCosta College sits just a few miles from the main gate of the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. We are a twoyear comprehensive college that prides itself on serving veterans as they advance in their military careers or seek to transition into a civilian occupation. In addition to serving more than 500 active military and more than 1,000 dependents of active duty military, we serve more than 1,200 veterans. More than 50% of California veterans using their educational benefits attend a community college. For every $1 invested in veterans education, $7 is generated. Background With a 10,000 troop drawdown from Afghanistan at the end of 2011, another 23,000 drawdown scheduled by the end of 2012, and the ending of the war in Iraq, the nation needs to prepare to welcome our men and women in uniform home. It is our responsibility both as a country and as a community that sits adjacent to the Marine Corps largest west coast base to honor our veterans service not just in words but also in deeds. MiraCosta College is answering the call by gearing up to provide veterans the support and programs they need to successfully transition to civilian life. Veterans exiting the military, especially those who have experienced combat, can find the transition back to civilian life extremely challenging. It is estimated that 400,000 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer mental health problems due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries inflicted by roadside bombs. In addition, many find themselves jobless and/or homeless after they are discharged. At any given time, there are a quarter of a million veterans living on the streets. And, sadly, the unemployment rate for vets serving since the Iraq war began is at 12%, compared to the national average of 8.5%, with an even higher rate for young male vets at 29.1%. Meeting Our Veterans Needs In light of these statistics and the increasing numbers of returning military personnel, MiraCosta College is stepping up its support to veterans, knowing that the most likely path into a secure and stable future is through educational attainment. For veterans, starting their transition to civilian life at the nearby community college, with a 100% acceptance rate; affordable tuition and fees; and a full spectrum of educational options including vocational training, remedial education, as well as access to our university transfer and honors programs, is often the best choice. Because of MiraCosta College s proximity to Camp Pendleton, we have already experienced a 100% increase in veteran enrollment over the last five years from 567 in 2006 to 1,230 in With the drawdowns, as well as the Marine Corps new discharge plan, we anticipate a continued increase in veteran enrollment over the next three years. Current programs: A Veterans Benefits Services Office where students are aided in applying for educational benefits and in academic planning Augmented and specialized counseling in the areas of mental health especially PTSD and traumatic brain injury Student-led Veterans Club A dedicated Veteran s Information Center that provides a place for veterans to go for free computer access and for socializing, respite and most importantly, peer support How a Specific Dollar Amount Can Help a Student MiraCosta College Foundation Linda L. Fogerson Executive Director 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA P M lfogerson@miracosta.edu foundation.miracosta.edu A gift of: $150 $758 $1,250 $3,000 $15,000 $25,000 purchases a textbook. pays fees for one semester. pays for textbooks for one year. pays fees and textbooks for one year. endows a one-semester scholarship $500 for a MiraCosta College student every year, forever. endows a full-year scholarship $1,000 for a MiraCosta College student every year, forever INFORMATION BOOKLET 23

4 Proudly Serving Active Duty Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families The San Diego Community College District has a longstanding commitment to serving active duty military, veterans and their families through a variety of programs and services. Located in a military community, the district serves more than 11,000 service members, veterans and dependents in the college credit and noncredit programs. Another 145,000 members of the armed forces receive contract education at 24 military installations throughout the country. Like other community colleges in California, the district provides priority registration, certifies programs and courses for educational benefits under the GI Bill and offers an array of workshops, activities and events designed to meet the specific needs of this important population. Programs and Services The district offers more than 500 degree and certificate programs and provides comprehensive support services for students. Four unique academic programs have been designed specifically for active duty service members and veterans. Military Electronics Technology Degree o The Military Electronics Technology Program at City College provides military and civilian students the opportunity to utilize their technical training and related theoretical instruction to earn an Associate Degree. The program encourages the development of theory and principles, along with health and safety knowledge to give students a complete understanding of military electronics. The program is structured specifically so that service members can complete the degree without staying at one institution. Heroes to Healthcare Certificate o Mesa College offers a Mental Health Worker Certificate of Achievement with an emphasis in Mental Health and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). The program was specifically designed for veteran students interested in employment in fields such as case management, developmental disabilities, older adult programs and chemical dependency treatment. The program also includes a fieldwork module that provides opportunities for networking. Military Studies Degree o The Military Studies Program at Miramar College provides an interdisciplinary foundation in leadership and management skills with an emphasis in application to the United States Military. It is designed specifically for active duty reserves or National Guard Service members. The program is also useful preparation for various supervisory or management positions in public service, security, and maritime careers. Courses at Veterans Administration Medical Center o The Continuing Education program offers classes to disabled veterans in personal assessment and assertion training for the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. This program is designed to meet the individual needs of veterans experiencing psychological disabilities. Vets to Jets Support Services Program The Vets to Jets Program at Miramar College is designed to provide assistance to veterans transitioning from military to college life. Funded by a start-up grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation in 2009, the program provides resources, workshops and services specifically structured for transitioning veterans. Program components include study skills workshops, explanation of financial aid opportunities, assistance with transfer pathways and connections with other critical services on campus. The program also provides opportunities for networking and community building. Hundreds of students have been served by this important program. 24 SDICCCA

5 On-Base College Programs For many years, the district has provided on-base courses and student support services at Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. On-base services include student advising, counseling, assistance with application processing and course enrollment, evaluation, assessment testing, and guidance with transfer opportunities. The services are available to veterans, active duty military, and military spouses and dependents seeking information or desiring to enroll in courses and programs offered on-base, online or on any one of the three campuses of the San Diego Community College District. Currently, about 75 classes are scheduled directly on-base. Contract Military Education Program Since 1977, the District s Military Education Program has been providing highly specialized contract instruction to military service members. During the past 34 years, the program has significantly expanded from a single location in San Diego to providing training at 24 military installations in 15 states. In addition, the program has provided mobile training teams to locations outside the continental United States, including Hawaii, Japan, and Guam. The current program serves more than 145,000 Navy, Army, and Marine Corps personnel each year. Areas of expertise include Naval engineering programs, instructor training, culinary arts, electricity and electronics, communication systems and personal financial management. In addition, the program has provided high-risk training in the areas of firefighting and Naval security forces with a stellar safety record. Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) The colleges are members of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium. As members, the colleges provide educational assistance to active duty service members and agree to accept credit for educational experiences during military service as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). In addition, the colleges accept credit from other non-traditional sources such as DANTES and CLEP examinations. The district is committed to military personnel who may choose to participate in the SOCNAV/SOCMAR program networks through the colleges. SOCNAV/SOCMAR was established to better serve highly mobile service members and their families. Veterans Affairs Services The Veterans Affairs offices at the colleges provide important services for veterans and their dependents, including certification for educational benefits and assistance with other support services on campus. The colleges certify more than 4,000 veterans and dependents for educational benefits each year. The colleges also have active veteran clubs and sponsor various activities such as student success workshops, lectures, resource fairs and many other activities to promote campus life for veterans and their families. Student Achievement Active duty military and veteran students, along with their dependents have strong academic achievement across all metrics. Retention rates and successful course completion are higher than the general student population. In addition, about 3,500 service members and their dependents earned degrees, certificates of achievement or transferred to fouryear institutions between 2007 and Student Services April INFORMATION BOOKLET 25

6 SouthweStern Community College ServeS veterans Meeting our Veterans Needs Southwestern College welcomes veterans and their dependents with dedicated services and opportunities. Through full-time staff and student veterans, the college helps returning military members reach their educational goals. Quick Facts Located within in a short commute from the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and Naval Base San Diego, Southwestern College offers an array of services to help veterans and their dependents succeed in and out of the classroom. We are a comprehensive community college that offers more than 320 degrees and certificate programs. A full-time Veterans Services Specialist and an active Student Veteran Organization help veterans and their dependents connect with resources. Southwestern College has been designated a Military Friendly school by G.I. Jobs magazine from More than $1.25 million in tuition and fees have been received by veterans and their dependents since Fall, Southwestern College has served 11,010 veterans and their dependents since Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Road Chula Vista, CA Current Programs Priority Registration: Southwestern College offers priority enrollment to veteran students. Eligibility requirements are: (1) be within four years of discharge from active duty, (2) a copy of Department of Veterans Affairs Certificate of Eligibility and DD214, and (3) a completed parent letter from the military member s college or university. Dedicated Veterans Services Department: Located in the college s One-Stop student services center, the Veterans Services Department is staffed by veterans who understand all the benefits available to veterans. They provide referrals to veteran and civilian resources. Active Student Veteran Organization: Named the Southwestern College Club of the Year by the Associated Student Organization in 2009, the Student Veteran Organization hosts several high-profile activities throughout the year. Such activities include a week-long celebration of Veterans Day, fundraisers to support the Warrior Foundation, Toys for Tots, Deck the Halls at Naval Medical Center Balboa and monthly meetings with guest speakers. The Student Veteran Organization has also created partnerships with local veterans agencies and Student Veteran Organizations at colleges and universities throughout San Diego County. Through the Southwestern College Student Veteran Organization network, veterans are able to trade textbooks and access academic tutoring. Short-term Emergency Loan Program: Southwestern College s Veterans Services Department offers emergency book and cash loans. Awarding Academic Credit for Military Service: Veterans are able to transfer the experience they received in the military into college credits toward an Associate of Arts degree. Veterans earn physical education and health credit upon enrolling at Southwestern College. Depending on their job in the military, other elective credits can be awarded. Personal Counseling: Veterans have access to college counselors for any personal and family counseling as they re-enter civilian life. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support: Veterans are provided special counseling and accommodations to address TBI and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder issues. Academic and Career Counseling: Southwestern College s counselors help veterans and their dependents create a Student Education Plan to ensure they are on an academic path that fulfills veteran education benefits requirements and their educational and career goals. Service Opportunity College: Southwestern College is a member of the Service Opportunity College network. If veterans begin their education here and are transferred to a location with a member Service Opportunity College, classes taken at the member college can be transferred to fulfill Southwestern College requirements. Mobile Veteran Center: During the first week of every semester, the Department of Veterans Affairs brings its mobile veteran center on campus. Student veterans are able to access all the services and resources of the VA in the mobile center. 26 SDICCCA

7 Speakers Bios Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D. Chancellor, San Diego Community College District Dr. Constance M. Carroll has served as chancellor of the San Diego Community College District since The total enrollment at the SDCCD s City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges, and Continuing Education division is 130,000 students. An additional 145,000 service personnel are enrolled in educational programs provided by the District at military bases in 24 states. Prior to becoming chancellor, Dr. Carroll served as president of three community colleges in California: San Diego Mesa College, Saddleback College, and Indian Valley Colleges. She also served as Director of Freshman Academic Advising at the University of Pittsburgh and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern Maine. Constance Carroll earned a B.A. (Humanities) from Duquesne University; an M.A. and Ph.D. (Classics) from the University of Pittsburgh; and a Certificate in Hellenic Studies from Knubly University in Greece. She also attended the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management. In 2011, Constance Carroll was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve a six-year term on the National Council on the Humanities. Dr. Carroll s board service also includes the University of San Diego and the San Diego Foundation, as well as the League for Innovation, the Community College Humanities Association, and San Diego Youth Services. She also served on the boards of the American Council on Education, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the California Council for the Humanities (as Chair), the WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (as Chair), and the San Diego Opera. She has numerous publications and presentations to her credit. Among many honors, Dr. Carroll received the national Association of Community College Trustees Marie Y. Martin CEO Award, the Harry Buttimer Award, which is the top honor for a California Community College CEO, and a Remarkable Leader in Education Award from the University of San Diego. Justin Dile U.S. Army Reserves/Grossmont College Justin Dile, 26, just completed eight years in the Army Reserves that included a 15-month deployment to Iraq in Using his Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, the former military police officer enrolled at a community college in Phoenix, Arizona then moved to San Diego on a job transfer. He enrolled at Grossmont College in 2009, received his degree as an honor graduate in 2011 and transferred as a finance major to the University of San Diego. Dile now works at Grossmont s Veterans Affairs Office. Melinda Nish, Ed.D. Superintendent/President, Southwestern College Melinda Nish became Superintendent/President of Southwestern College on January 2, Her educational and professional background has emphasized internationalism and the world marketplace. She lived in Europe for nearly a decade, and is fluent in both English and French. She comes to Southwestern from Orange Coast College where she served as vice president of instruction from In that capacity, she was responsible for oversight of the college s instructional program and was responsible for maintaining a campus environment that supports students educational goals. Nish recently served as a member of the California Community Colleges Task Force on Student Success that examined best practices and effective models within higher education throughout the nation to improve educational achievements in California. The task force has produced a final report which has been approved by the California Community College Board of Governors and is currently under consideration by the Legislature. Nish also led Orange Coast s accreditation efforts since 2005 as the college s Accreditation Liaison Officer for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). In 2009, Nish was named Orange Coast College s Manager of the Year by the Coast District Management Association (CDMA) INFORMATION BOOKLET 27

8 She was named president of the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers for 2010 to She also served as vice president in and as Region 8 representative from 2007 to Nish served as a member of the Coast Community College District s negotiation team from 2007 to A native of Salt Lake City, Nish earned her B.A. degree in political science, and a certificate of international relations, from the University of Utah. She received her M.A. degree from the university in economics, and studied French language and translation at the University of Nice, France. She was a doctoral candidate in international economics at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. She completed an educational doctorate at the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara. Nish taught economics, international finance, and financial mathematics at American College of Switzerland in Leysin, and at Webster University in Geneva. She spent seven years at Salt Lake Community College. She was an associate professor of finance and economics and became Department Chair of Finance, Business Economics and Business Math in Paul Mac McNamara Trustee, Palomar Community College District Governing Board Paul McNamara has served on the Palomar Community College District Governing Board since December In addition to his position on the Board, he is the General Manager for a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business specializing in analysis, technology, and engineering support services. He has held several management roles relating to information systems. Prior to his industry career, McNamara retired as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. During his 28 years in the Corps, he served in diverse but related positions throughout the world, including diplomatic duty at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He also served with distinction, as the leader of multiple organizations with numerous and interrelated internal processes. Most notably he was Chief of Staff for the First Marine Expeditionary Force, a 45,000-member organization. In that role, he led in the planning and execution of post-9/11 Marine Corps operational activities in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for these efforts. McNamara is a member of numerous community organizations including the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and the Eagle Scout Alumni Association. He is also a lifetime member of the Marine Corps Association, Disabled American Veterans, and several more organizations. McNamara lives in Escondido with his wife, Bo Peng (who is from Shen Yang, China) and their daughter Jade. Francisco Rodriguez, Ph.D. Superintendent/President, MiraCosta Community College District Dr. Francisco Rodriguez was appointed superintendent/president of the MiraCosta Community College District in January The MiraCosta College district serves more than 18,000 credit and noncredit students at three campuses in North San Diego County. Celebrating his 28th year of service to California public higher education, Dr. Rodriguez began his community college career in 1997 at Woodland Community College in the Yuba Community College District, where he served as associate dean of Instruction and Student Services, and executive dean (now titled president). In 2003, he was appointed president of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento and served in that capacity for six years. Prior to beginning his community college career, Dr. Rodriguez worked for 12 years in Student Affairs at University of California, Davis serving in various capacities, including student outreach and undergraduate admissions, student leadership programs and activities, and diversity education. Dr. Rodriguez serves on the teaching faculty for the graduate education programs at Sacramento State and San Diego State Universities; serves on the advisory boards of several local and statewide organizations; and is the recipient of multiple awards and honors for his leadership and scholarship, service and contributions to higher education and to underserved communities. Born and raised in San Francisco, President Rodriguez is an English-language learner, first-generation college graduate from a working class family. He has a Ph.D. in education from Oregon State University, a master s degree in community development and a bachelor s degree in Chicano studies, both from the University of California, Davis. He is married to Irma Rodriguez, EOPS Coordinator at Sacramento City College, and has two children Andres, a graduate student at San Francisco State University, and Angelica, a college sophomore. 28 SDICCCA

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10 PRODUCED BY SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PUBLIC INFORMATION AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OCTOBER SDICCCA