San Diego Miramar College will open a newly expanded Veterans Resource Center (VRC) with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 am Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. The ceremony will feature guest speakers, a performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Band, a tour, and lunch will be provided.
The newly expanded Veterans Resource Center is located on the ground floor of the English Building (I-104).
Former California State Representative Brian Maienschein is scheduled to attend the event and provide brief remarks. Under his leadership in 2022, as then State Assemblymember for the 77th California Assembly District, Maienschein secured $2.5 million in funding from the California 2022-2023 budget to make this Veterans Resource Center a reality.
This funding has provided enhanced services and infrastructure to the College’s military community, which totaled 2,500 military affiliated students during the last academic year. The new construction has expanded the VRC facility from a roughly 1,000 square foot space to roughly 3,000 square feet. The facility is now equipped with new furniture, private study and meeting rooms, a technology room, and a student lounge. Expanded services include: peer mentoring; tutoring; admissions support; orientation; expanded access to VA benefits; and mental health counseling services. Additionally, the VRC will now house the very first full-time counselor dedicated to our Veterans, with additional academic and career counseling hours to support.
In addition, with this funding Miramar College will provide an upgrade to its satellite teaching facility at Marine Corp Air Station Miramar (MCAS).
“This funding has allowed us to provide improved services and infrastructure to better support our military community,” said Ron Felix, Miramar College Student Services Technician at MCAS Miramar. “Specifically, we have been able to expand our footprint at the satellite office at MCAS Miramar, enabling us to upgrade all technology and furniture, ensuring our spaces are both functional and welcoming. We are grateful for this investment in our military students and are excited to see the positive impact these improvements will have on their educational experience.”
“As a Veteran myself, I am so excited to see the completion of our expanded Veterans Resource Center,” said Dr. Wesley Lundburg, president of San Diego Miramar College. “We are in the shadows of MCAS Miramar and feel compelled to support these students the best way possible. However, we couldn’t do it alone and now we have the resources to support these heroes.”
Each year San Diego Miramar College provides a comprehensive set of enrollment and student support services to approximately 2,500 veterans, active duty military and their dependents through its Veteran Resource Center (VRC). The VRC supports the transition from military life to civilian life by providing all military affiliated students with support in accessing VA benefits and federal financial aid; enrolling in courses; accessing academic counseling and mental health services; and by providing dedicated academic support services such as tutoring, access to computers, and career development resource information. The VRC also provides military affiliated students with a dedicated space to meet and talk with peers who had shared experiences.
Free guest parking is accessible in Lot 1 off Black Mountain Parkway.
For additional information or to ask for disability accommodations, please contact miramarveterans@sdccd.edu.
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