From left, SDCCD Board of Trustee Bernie Rhinerson, SDCCD Board of Trustee Geysil Arroyo, SDCCD Chancellor Dr. Carlos Cortez, Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (77th California Assembly District. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (7th California Assembly District), SDCCD Board of Trustees President Dr. Maria Nieto Senour, Miramar College President Dr. Wesley Lundburg.
Miramar College Veterans Resource Center receives $2.5M grant
October 12, 2022 |
San Diego Miramar College has been granted $2.5 million from the state of California to upgrade resources to its veteran and active duty military students and their dependents. The funding, spearheaded by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, was part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2022-23 state budget passed this summer. These funds will provide enhanced services and infrastructure for the college’s military community.
Miramar College will use a majority of the funding to renovate and complete its long-planned Veterans Resource Center, now on the ground floor of the I-Building. The newly-constructed facility will expand from its current 1,000-square-foot space to 3,000 square feet. The expanded VRC will be equipped with new furniture, private study and meeting rooms along with a student lounge. The college will also build and staff a computer lab.
Infrastructure enhancements will include: LCD screens; projectors; laptop loaners; and internet upgrades. A Hy-flex technology room will be constructed. In addition, Miramar College will provide an upgrade to its satellite teaching facility at Marine Corp Air Station Miramar (MCAS).
Expanded services include peer mentoring, tutorial, admissions, orientation, and mental health counseling services.
A portion of the funding will be used to provide emergency grant aid that will assist our heroes with basic needs.
“As a Veteran myself, I can’t thank Assemblymember Maienschein enough for his attention to the needs of veteran students, active duty military and their dependents,” said Dr. Wesley Lundburg, president of San Diego Miramar College. “We are in the shadows of MCAS Miramar and Miramar College even has a location on the base to teach. We feel compelled to support these students the best way possible. However, we can’t do it alone and now we have the resources to support these heroes.”
Assemblymember Maienschein, who represents the 77th California Assembly District, presented Miramar College with a check for $2.5 million at an October 12, 2022 celebration held on campus.
“California has the highest population of veterans than any state, and a significant amount of those are here in San Diego,” said Assemblymember Brian Maienschein. “Taking care of our veterans is critical, which is why I am proud to have secured this funding to help enrich the educational experience and resources available to veterans, active duty service members, and their families.”
Fellow Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (7th California Assembly District) also attended the event. McCarty currently chairs Subcommittee #2 Education Finance Committee.
Each year San Diego Miramar College provides a comprehensive set of enrollment and student support services to approximately 2,000 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.