San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association

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

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

MiraCosta CoMMunity College
serves veterans
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 18-24 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 2011–2012. 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 92056
P 760.795.6775
M 858.822.9344
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.
2012 INFORMATION BOOKLET 23

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

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 2010.
Student Services – April 2011
2012 INFORMATION BOOKLET 25

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 2009 - 2011.
• More than $1.25 million in
tuition and fees have been
received by veterans and
their dependents since
Fall, 2009.
• Southwestern College
has served 11,010 veterans
and their dependents since
2006-07.
Southwestern College
900 Otay Lakes Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
www.swccd.edu
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

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 2004. 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
2005. 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, 2012. 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
2005-2011. 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).
2012 INFORMATION BOOKLET 27

She was named president of the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers for 2010 to 2012. She
also served as vice president in 2009-2010 and as Region 8 representative from 2007 to 2009. Nish served as a
member of the Coast Community College District’s negotiation team from 2007 to 2010.
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 1997.
Paul “Mac” McNamara
Trustee, Palomar Community College District Governing Board
Paul McNamara has served on the Palomar Community College District Governing Board since December 2010.
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 2009. 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

PRODUCED BY
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
OCTOBER 2012
30 SDICCCA