Student Affairs + Campus Diversity
Military and Veterans Program Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Message from Leadership
Dear Donor, On behalf of San Diego State University’s Military and Veterans Program (MVP), I thank you for your continued generosity and support throughout Academic Year 2025-2026. Your partnership has helped us expand services for more than 5,000 militaryconnected students, including veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, ROTC cadets, and military families. This year, MVP expanded from four to seven staff members, hosted our 3rd Annual USS Midway Graduation Ceremony honoring 98 graduates with more than 500 guests in attendance, and organized career development initiatives that connected students with employers, mentors, and professional opportunities. One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is witnessing students grow into confident leaders, both academically and professionally. Looking ahead, we remain committed to expanding student success, career readiness, leadership, and outreach initiatives that empower veteran and military-connected students to thrive. Your philanthropy continues to create meaningful opportunities, strengthen community, and transform lives.
Elisa East, M.A. Ed. Director, Military and Veterans Program
Philanthropy
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward Land of the Free Foundation The Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center received a generous donation to support operational funding that directly serves more than 5,000 active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, ROTC cadets, and military families. This investment allows the center to expand critical student support services, strengthen outreach and transition programs, enhance career readiness initiatives, and create meaningful opportunities for leadership development and community engagement. Funding also helps sustain year-round programming, academic support, and resource navigation that empower militaryconnected students to successfully transition into higher education, persist toward graduation, and build successful futures beyond SDSU. Veterans Thrift Stores Scholarship Thanks to an impactful contribution, the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center will continue supporting active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, ROTC cadets, and military families through the Veterans Thrift Store Scholarship. This investment allows the Military and Veterans Program to expand scholarship opportunities that reduce financial barriers and help military-connected students remain focused on their academic and professional goals. Scholarship support provides critical assistance with educational expenses, housing, transportation, and basic needs while empowering students to fully engage in campus life, leadership development, career readiness initiatives, and community involvement. This gift strengthens student success, persistence, and graduation outcomes while creating meaningful opportunities for military-connected students and their families to thrive at SDSU and beyond. Supporting Military-Connected Student Achievement The Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center received a meaningful donation directly supporting its annual Veterans Graduation Ceremony and allowing the Military and Veterans Program to continue creating meaningful opportunities that recognize student achievement, strengthen community, and celebrate the transition from military service to academic and professional success. Funding also supports student programming, outreach initiatives, leadership development, and career readiness efforts that help military-connected students build connections, access resources, and thrive throughout their educational journey at SDSU.
Student Spotlight
Thriving in the Aztec Experience Keira Cherry, Class of 2026 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Major: Journalism As a Marine Corps dependent, my educational journey has been shaped by the experiences and sacrifices that come with military family life. Transitioning into college carried unique challenges, including finding stability in a new environment. One of the most meaningful parts of my experience at SDSU has been discovering a strong sense of belonging through the Veterans Center. The Veterans Center became a place where I could connect with other military-affiliated students who shared similar experiences. Through events like Welcome Week and Explore SDSU, I became actively involved on campus instead of feeling isolated. Opportunities through the VA Work-Study Program also allowed me to give back to the same community that supported me while gaining professional and leadership experience. The Veterans Center helped me build meaningful connections that I will carry long after graduation. As a military dependent, having a community that recognizes and supports the experiences of military families made a lasting impact on my educational journey. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of the Military and Veterans Program team and the donors who continue to invest in the success of military-connected students.
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I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of the Military and Veterans Program team and the donors who continue to invest in the success of military-connected students.
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Student Spotlight
Kelly Sorber, Class of 2027 Class Level: Graduate Student College: College of Arts and Letters Major: History - War and Society I have been a student at SDSU and a work-study employee at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center for nearly four years. During that time, I was fortunate to receive both the Prebys Scholarship and the Veterans Center Scholarship. These scholarships provided much-needed financial support throughout my educational journey. I am deeply grateful for the support I received during my undergraduate experience. I am currently pursuing graduate school, and unlike during my undergraduate studies, I am no longer eligible for Pell Grants. Because of this, scholarship support has become even more meaningful and necessary. As a retired service member, single parent, and full-time student, balancing family responsibilities, academics, and financial obligations has been both challenging and rewarding. The additional support from these scholarships helps me maintain a stable standard of living for my family while remaining focused on my education and long-term goals. Receiving financial assistance not only eases the burden of educational expenses but also allows me to continue pursuing higher education while providing for my family. I deeply appreciate the opportunities and support these scholarships have given me.
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Receiving financial assistance not only eases the burden of educational expenses but also allows me to continue pursuing higher education while providing for my family.
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Student Spotlight
Daniel Asuncion, Class of 2027 Class Level: Graduate Student College: College of Health and Human Services Major: Master of Social Work After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps, I arrived at SDSU determined to serve in new ways. My work with veterans and underserved populations led me to social work, where I discovered a passion for advocacy, direct support, and community impact. As an MSW student, I’ve combined leadership and service both inside and outside the classroom. As vice president of the Student Veteran Organization, I organized Battle of the Branches, a campus-wide flag football tournament designed to build community. I also represented SDSU at SVA NATCON, where I connected with student veteran leaders and higher education professionals from across the country. That experience reinforced the importance of creating supportive spaces for veteran students on campus. The support I received through the Military and Veterans Program played a major role in my growth as a student and future social worker. Through those connections, I built a strong relationship with the Basic Needs Center, where I was accepted to complete my MSW internship the following year. My experiences at SDSU have reinforced my commitment to becoming a licensed clinical social worker and advocating for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and underserved communities.
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The support I received through the Military and Veterans Program played a major role in my growth as a student and future social worker.
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Points of Pride
Celebrating Shared Success Statistics of Interest San Diego State University’s Veterans Center serves more than 4,500 military-connected students, including veterans, reservists, active-duty service members, dependents, and ROTC students. In fall 2025, 65.8% of military-connected students were first-generation college students. Student veterans at SDSU maintain an average GPA of 3.3, reflecting strong academic achievement and persistence. Female veterans account for 23% of our military-connected community, with 47% being female dependents, including children and spouses.
Academic Success Veteran Support
Student veterans held a 3.3 average GPA.
SDSU’s Veterans Center serves 4,500+ militaryconnected students, 65.8% of whom are also first-generation students.
Faculty and Staff Achievements
Elise Gary, MPH Title: Interim Primary School Certifying Official College: Military and Veterans Program - Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center Achievement: We want to recognize Elise Gary for her leadership within the Military and Veterans Program. Rising from a work-study student to interim primary school certifying official, Elise has become a trusted and compassionate resource for students. Her professionalism, dedication, and reliability help ensure that the Military and Veterans Program and SDSU remain in compliance. She shared the following: As a first-generation college student and dependent of Navy veterans, my journey at San Diego State University has been deeply shaped by the support I received through veteran educational benefits and the Veterans Center. I transferred to SDSU in 2019 and later earned my Master of Public Health degree in 2025, graduating debt-free thanks to programs like the CalVet Fee Waiver and Chapter 35 benefits. What began as a work-study position at the Veterans Center grew into my current role as interim primary school certifying official. Along the way, I discovered a passion for helping students navigate the same challenges I once faced: understanding benefits, overcoming financial hardship, and finding the resources needed to stay in school and succeed. Every day, I work with veteran and dependent students facing obstacles ranging from academic struggles to housing, disability, and personal crises. Through SDSU’s retention campaign and collaborations with campus support offices, I help students create plans to move forward and continue pursuing their goals. Some of the most meaningful moments come when students return years later to share how guidance and encouragement helped them stay on track. The Veterans Center taught me how to advocate for myself, and that experience now allows me to advocate for others with empathy, patience, and understanding. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support students as they work toward earning their degrees and building better futures for themselves and their families.
Featured Areas
SDSU Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Through three major engagements, cadets were given the opportunity to connect with Company Grade Officers representing a wide range of Air Force and Space Force career fields. Every cadet participated in at least one event, and many attended all three—gaining mentorship, professional insight, and early exposure to career opportunities as they begin shaping their futures in military service. November 2026 Career Day The capstone event of Fall 2026 was Detachment 075 Career Day, held during a Leadership Laboratory session. More than 25 officers representing over 18 Air Force and Space Force specialties provided career briefs and mentorship to more than 150 cadets. Pilots, lawyers, acquisition professionals, engineers, public affairs officers, and space and cyber officers answered questions and built meaningful connections with cadets. The event also included a sit-down breakfast for visiting officers and senior cadets, providing an additional 90 minutes of mentorship and professional development. April 2026 Base Visit Our primary Professional Development Training engagement for Spring 2026 was a visit to Edwards Air Force Base. Sixteen cadets and two cadre escort officers toured the 773rd Test Squadron within the 412th Test Engineering Group, where they were introduced to the Air Force’s F-22 and T-7A aircraft and the engineers responsible for their development and maintenance. Cadets also visited the Edwards AFB Museum to explore Air Force heritage. The trip concluded with a mentorship dinner sponsored by the Blessing Endowment, featuring Company Grade Officers who shared insights on leadership, career progression, and the transition from cadet to active-duty service. Spring 2026 Commissioning Our Commissioning Ceremony aboard the USS Midway was a tremendous success. The Blessing Endowment funded both the ceremony and a “pre-ception” event, where commissionees interacted with visiting officers, senior enlisted members, and guest speaker Brig. Gen. Randy P. Oakland, Commander, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The event marked a meaningful culmination of years of hard work while providing valuable networking and mentorship opportunities aboard the historic USS Midway.
Spring 2026 Commissioning Ceremony aboard the USS Midway.
Thank you for your generous support.
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