November is a special month for student veteran activities. It is a month to honor veterans for their service and sacrifices. It is also the perfect time to recognize the tremendous support our veterans and military affiliated students receive from campus and community partners.
On November 9, Skyline College Student Veterans of America Chapter partnered with the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) to host a Veterans Day Ceremony in the Fireside Dining Hall and an Open House at the Veterans Resource Center.
The event began with a warm welcome message from Skyline College President, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud.
Jose Nuñez, Vice Chancellor, Facilities Planning, Maintenance, Operations & Public Safety for the San Mateo County Community College District, shared his story and words of support.
Joan Dentler, Field Representative for the Office of Senator Jerry Hill, shared remarks and sentiments on behalf of Senator Hill.
Jim Vangele, Skyline College Chief of Public Safety, shared his story along with many Skyline College student veterans.
Partners from the Peninsula Vet Center and Skyline College Psychological Services shared important community and campus resources for veterans.
Skyline College has developed and sustained a long-standing partnership with the SF VA Health Care System’s Student Veteran Health Program. This partnership has resulted in the presence of a VA counselor on the Skyline College campus once a week to provide services and resources to qualifying veterans and dependents. The collaboration with this community partner has provided the opportunity to bridge gaps and connect veterans to VA Health Care services directly on campus. It also provided Skyline College the opportunity to serve as a model for other colleges working with the SF VA Medical Center. In addition, the contracting process created out of the partnership was part of an initial pilot process for the Department of Veterans Affairs that will be used nationwide.
On November 14, a welcome reception was held in the VRC to honor and thank the partners from the SF VA Student Veteran Health Program for the tremendous support they provide student veterans. It began with an opening message from Dr. Stanback Stroud and concluded with the presentation of Skyline College Veterans Achievement Coins to the partners.
The partnerships, both on and off campus, that have been created and continue to flourish, allow Skyline College and the team who supports veterans’ services to provide high quality resources and support services to veterans, service men and women and their families. We are very fortunate to have such a strong network to support student veteran success. Thank you to all who contribute to this network!
Article by Gina Ciardella | Photo by Kevin Perez