Gracie Camacho, Student Veteran Organization president, speaks at Southwestern College's Veterans Day Ceremony.
Gracie Camacho, Student Veteran Organization president, speaks at Southwestern College’s Veterans Day Ceremony.

Southwestern College has again made the list of the top Military Friendly schools in the country. The Veterans’ Services department earned this designation with top marks on admissions, veterans services and financial aid, including accepting the GI Bill and providing veteran-specific scholarships. 

“Our Veterans’ Services team strives to provide the very best services for our military and veteran community,” said Jonathan D. White, coordinator of the Veterans’ Resource Center. “We know firsthand what it means to serve in the U.S. Military and the sacrifices endured through service. Our service members, veterans and their families deserve the very best available and we are dedicated to the charge of providing services and support that reflect the same honor and commitment they have willingly given all of us.”

Methodology and criteria were conducted by VIQTORY media, which publishes the Military Friendly guidebook, alongside a council of higher education and military professionals. Each college and university was assessed for student retention, graduation, job placement, financial aid, degree advancement and transfer opportunities. More than 1,000 schools applied and only 625 earned the 2020-2021 Military Friendly distinction. 

Southwestern College provides robust services and support for student veterans, active military and their families. Under the umbrella of Veterans’ Services, veterans’ resources include the Veterans Resource Center, the veterans-dedicated student service area inside the César E. Chávez Student Services Center and a dedicated student veteran counselor.

In addition to services and resources, the Southwestern College veterans team provides campus and cultural activities to give student veterans a stronger connection to campus. Among their top events are the Sisters in Arms and Veterans’ Day ceremonies at the Southwestern College Chula Vista campus. Their community events include Deck the Halls, where student veterans decorate the Naval Medical Center in Balboa Park each holiday season for the patients of the hospital, and the Courage to Call food drive.