San Jac awarded Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award

Pictured are veteran services staff (from left) Jose Nicolas, coordinator; Lorraine Rowe, coordinator; Holly Morrison, manager; Francisco Ramirez, part-time staff; Azuree Wilson, coordinator; Arturo Guerro, educational planner; and Karla Silva, senior accounting specialist, along with Jesus Bernal, dean of student advising. Not pictured is Angela Edwards, part-time staff.

PASADENA, Texas - San Jacinto College has been honored with the Silver 2024 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission.

San Jac ranks among 24 Texas public institutions of higher education honored by the Texas Veterans Commission. Established by the Texas Legislature, the award recognizes universities and colleges that provide excellence in education and related services that significantly contribute to the academic success of student veterans and military-connected students.

“Home to over 1.7 million veterans and servicemembers, Texas is proud that colleges and universities across our great state offer world-class resources and educational support to the brave men and women who served in our nation’s military,” said Governor Greg Abbott. "I thank these colleges and universities for their ongoing efforts to provide wide-ranging services for student veterans and veterans' children as they pursue opportunities in higher education.”

The Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award is presented at gold, silver, and bronze levels to highlight the depth and breadth of services provided to veteran students and their families.

“San Jacinto College is dedicated to ensuring that veterans and their dependents have the support they need to transition smoothly into higher education,” said Holly Morrison, veteran services manager. “Many of the veteran services team are veterans themselves, bringing a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with transitioning from military service to academic life.”

With three veteran centers located at the North, South, and Central Campuses, and intentional support extended to Maritime and Generation Park Campus veterans, the College's veteran services team is at the forefront of this mission. Each veteran center is staffed by a team of advisors who also serve as school certifying officials. A key aspect of the veteran services team's approach is fostering a sense of community among veterans. 

This is achieved through initiatives like weekly “Buddy Check-ins,” where veterans can connect and support one another, monthly “Eat and Greets” that provide a casual setting for building camaraderie. One such event is the annual Veteran Resource Fair happening Friday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Campus LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology.

As we look to the future, the goal is clear: to continue building on this success and work toward achieving a gold award by 2025. With the passion and dedication of the veteran services team, the college is well on its way to reaching this milestone, ensuring that veterans and their dependents receive the support they need to succeed in their educational journeys.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

 

For more information about San Jacinto College call 281-998-6150, visit sanjac.edu or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.