Support

Jose Nicolas (pictured left) spent 30 years in the Marine Corps. After attending Deer Park and Clear Brook high schools, he began his college career at San Jacinto College — which is why he returned to the College to pay it forward to today’s veteran students.

As the veteran services coordinator at the Central Campus, Nicolas and his team help hundreds of veteran students and their families each year. The veteran centers are one-stop shops that connect veterans to resources inside and outside the College, provide financial aid assistance and advising, and help veterans use their education benefits.

“We provide resources so our veteran students can be successful in their academic journey,” Nicolas said.

Last year, Nicolas wanted to bring even more resources together to help veterans understand their opportunities. So he and the veteran services team coordinated a resource fair that included more than 35 vendors from outside the College. The event — open to all veterans, regardless of San Jacinto College enrollment — welcomed hundreds of attendees.

“It was such a huge success that we are planning for the second event this year,” Nicolas said.

The college journey is not one veterans have to take alone, thanks to San Jacinto College’s wraparound support mentally, physically, and academically. Although many veterans feel intimidated transitioning from the military to college, Nicolas and his team are here to help them succeed.