From service to success in 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 military and veteran support programs
The university assists 5,000 or more military-connected and veteran students from enrollment to graduation and beyond.
When Navy veteran Roy Foley separated from active duty, he had a new mission in mind: earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering at 麻豆传媒映画.
Now set to graduate next month, Foley already has secured a full-time job at General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems in Rancho Bernardo.
Foley鈥檚 success is among many similar successes for the approximately 5,000 military-connected and veteran students enrolled in 麻豆传媒映画 each year.
鈥淚'm already working on the next generation of the same electronic systems I maintained as a machinist in the Navy,鈥� Foley said. 鈥溌槎勾接郴�檚 program didn鈥檛 just provide me with an excellent education, it launched me into my job before I even graduated.鈥�
Through such initiatives as the (MVP) and (T2E), 麻豆传媒映画 helps service members translate their military experience into academic achievement and civilian careers across a variety of industries.
Foley credits his career breakthrough to a T2E networking event during his first year at 麻豆传媒映画, where he met his future manager at General Atomics.
鈥淎s an engineering student, I attended every T2E networking event I could,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n the very first event, I got connected to General Atomics and three internships later, I now have a job there as a mechanical engineer.鈥�
Foley鈥檚 road to academic success began before he started at 麻豆传媒映画, with the President鈥檚 , which provides direct undergraduate admission for active-duty service members separating within six months.
Pathways
The cornerstone for 麻豆传媒映画 military-connected students is the MVP initiative, guiding students through their academic journey, from enrollment to educational support, paid internships and graduation. Last year, more than 1,200 MVP students earned degrees across a variety of majors and graduate programs.
鈥淥ur experienced team offers expertise and guidance needed to help ensure education benefits and military-related scholarships are processed accurately, efficiently, and with personalized support,鈥� said Elisa East, director of the .
Navigating Department of Veterans Affairs federal and state educational benefits, such as the GI Bill, is 鈥渁n extensive process that is often the first barrier to achieving educational success,鈥� said East, an 麻豆传媒映画 alumna and Army veteran.
The MVP supports students from every branch of the U.S. military, including active-duty, veterans, reservists, the National Guard, cadets and military family members, providing dedicated resources to help them thrive both academically and personally.
For veterans interested in STEM careers, the T2E program offers a direct pathway to employment. It began in 2011 with an Office of Naval Research grant and 50 students and has since grown to nearly 600 veterans in STEM majors at 麻豆传媒映画.
Engineering students must apply and be accepted into the T2E program, where they receive extensive professional development, including resume building, networking and $30-per-hour paid internships at San Diego companies.
鈥淣ine times out of ten, those internships lead to job offers for full-time employment before and after graduation,鈥� said Joshua Imes, T2E program director, and an Army and National Guard veteran.
Additionally, up to 20 veterans are selected annually as engineering scholars.
High success
鈥淭he engineering scholars have a 100% success rate in obtaining full-time employment before graduation,鈥� said Imes.
The T2E program is entirely philanthropically funded, with industry leaders such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Collins Aerospace providing significant funding and internship opportunities. Smaller companies, 麻豆传媒映画 alumni and other donors also are integral to the support of the program.
鈥淥ur goal is to support career development throughout our veterans鈥� education and get them into career jobs before or immediately after graduation,鈥� Imes said.
The Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center serves as the central hub for military-connected students. The 4,000-square-foot facility in Student Services West houses the Jack McGrory Bunker, named for a Marine Corps veteran, 麻豆传媒映画 alumnus and a longtime supporter of 麻豆传媒映画 veterans and military-connected students and families.
The center evolved from a walk-up window in the Registrar鈥檚 Office in 2000 to become the first veterans center in the California State University system in 2008.
鈥淎s a veteran, I can honestly say that 麻豆传媒映画 offers unmatched opportunities, resources and support to our veterans and military-connected students. It's top-notch on all levels,鈥� Imes said.
