By Mercedes Jaudon / Staff Writer
By Mercedes Jaudon / Staff Writer
G.I Jobs magazine selected Riverside City College as a Military Friendly School of 2011, on July 6.
This award places RCC in the top 15 percent of all higher education institutions in the Untied States.
The award is based on nationwide interviews with student veterans.
“Military Friendly School” is a distinction that determines which of the 7,000 colleges, universities, and trade schools nationwide offer the best education, value, and welcome.
After serving in the Navy for six years in Iraq, Javeier Nunez came back to California to attend school.
“I think Riverside City College offers excellent services for veterans,” he said
For any student, attending college for the first time is a new experience, especially when your alone.
“When I first got here I didn’t know anything or anyone, but thankfully the Veterans office provided me with all the information I needed,” he said.
Nunez came to RCC because it was close to home and convenient, he had no idea that RCC had so much to offer for student veterans.
“I think RCC does deserve the honor of being named a Military Friendly school,” Nunez said.
According to a press release from the college, there was 1,612 veterans certified to receive VA benefits from July 1, 2009 through March 1, 2010 at RCC.
“This honor gives due recognition to our Veterans’ Services,” said Lorraine Anderson, dean of enrollment services, in the press release.
Anderson also stated that Norco and Moreno Valley Colleges will be issuing separate certifications for the veterans they serve.
RCC formed a Veterans’ Services Committee in September of 2008.
A brochure in the counseling office contains the steps needed for certification and a listing of important information for Veterans returning to school.
RCC has a website specifically for veterans.
The website has changed Guidance 45, which is an introduction to college course, to meet veterans’ needs.
RCC has had tons of events for the student veterans.
These events include a Veterans day barbecue, a Memorial Day observance with flyover and a 5k run to help raise scholarship funds for veterans to take the Guidance45 class.
“The Veterans Office tries to follow all regulations set by Veterans Affairs,” Nunez said.
The Veterans office has not always had great services for veterans though.
At one point in time student veterans could not even see a counselor.
There was one main counselor that made Student Education Plans for the students but in actuality never met with the students.
Now student veterans are allowed to meet with counselors to discuss programs and go over VA student education plans together.
“They make it a point to help veterans as best as they can so veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner” Nunez said.
Due to a grant that RCC received, they can now open a home center for veterans.
“This Fall we are expecting to open a one-stop center for veterans,” Anderson said.
This one-stop-center for Veterans will have a lounge, computer software especially made for veterans, personal counseling and much more.
