“You need to find something to stay active,” Tony said.

He picked up gardening, building raised beds as his first woodworking project since his youth.

“They were a little rough,” he said with a laugh, but now they harvest baskets of potatoes, carrots, onions, snap peas and more.

Even seeds that accidentally fell to the ground took root, turning into tomato vines. The Jacksons’ Fallbrook home also has avocado, citrus and pomegranate trees, along with native plants that Sue carefully manages.

It’s a fitting next chapter for a couple who always has put in the work.

Retirement also gave the Jacksons more time for philanthropy.

Tony first visited Cal State San Marcos in 2011, and one thing stood out to him immediately: a dedicated office for student veterans.

“That was impressive,” he said, “to see resources for a group with unique experiences.”

This would motivate him to serve on the CSUSM Foundation Board for 13 years.

Today, he and Sue continue to support student veterans through the Major General Anthony L. Jackson Veterans Endowed Scholarship. They also support ACE Scholars Services and men’s and women’s basketball.

Using QCDs Instead of Cash to Support Students

The Jacksons’ approach to giving recently evolved.

Tony had heard of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs), but he didn’t take advantage of the strategy until last year.

“We love what CSUSM is doing and knew we were going to give,” he said. “QCDs were just the wisest way to do it.”

A QCD allows individuals age 70½ or older to make a distribution from their IRA directly to a nonprofit like the CSUSM Foundation. The distribution counts toward any required minimum distribution (RMD) but doesn’t count as income, thus avoiding income tax. That can help lower overall tax liability, reduce Medicare premiums and avoid certain income-based phaseouts. Individuals can give up to $111,000 per year this way, even if their RMD is lower.

Still, for the Jacksons, the strategy is secondary.

“I remember what it was like to be a struggling student,” Tony said.

As a former student-athlete on scholarship at San Jose State, he knows personally what a difference philanthropy can make.

“Sue and I have more than we need,” he said. “How can we share that and help the generations behind us? It’s the right thing to do.”

For the Jacksons, giving to CSUSM is about more than tax efficiency. It’s about investing in students, strengthening the community they’ve long called home and continuing a lifetime of service.

Interested in QCDs?

For information on QCDs and other tax-smart ways to give, contact P. Vien Walker, director of planned giving, at 760-750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu, or visit plannedgiving.csusm.edu.

Every contribution to CSUSM brings the university closer to its Blueprint for the Future campaign goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 3,200 companies participated in the Military Friendly® survey.

“I am very proud of what Cal State San Marcos is doing for our military community," said Josh Loop, director of CSUSM's Veterans Services. “The results of the MFS survey reinforce that this is a campuswide effort and that the entire university is dedicated to serving and supporting our active-duty service members, our veterans and their families.”

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined in consultation with the Military Friendly® Advisory Council, a group of independent leaders in the military community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score, public data and an assessment of the institution’s ability to meet and exceed thresholds for student recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement and support services for veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses.

“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of memberships for Military Friendly®. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”

CSUSM will be showcased in the 2026-27 Guide to Military Friendly Schools® in the April issue of Military Friendly G.I. Jobs® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.

For more information about CSUSM's student veteran programs, visit the Veterans Services website.

About Military Friendly® Schools

Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,900 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly® designation. Military Friendly® is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found online.

That man is an Escondido resident named Elmer Royce Williams, a retired U.S. Navy captain, and the full story of his military heroism is housed in the Cal State San Marcos library.

The special collections department of CSUSM’s library features a filmed oral history of Williams – and a host of other local military veterans – that was recorded last year by Jason Beyer, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and double CSUSM alumnus (bachelor's in business management, master's in social work).

Beyer leads a localized version of the national Veterans History Project, an initiative by which the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so future generations can hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service. It was founded through unanimous vote in the House and Senate, and became law in 2000.

Beyer’s project involves the oral histories being archived both at the Library of Congress and CSUSM’s special collections department. Last March, snippets from the interviews with Williams and five other local veterans were shown at an event on campus titled “Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey.”

The second edition of the event will take place on April 8, spotlighting the stories of seven other veterans.

Williams received the Medal of Honor during the State of the Union in the U.S. Capitol building on Tuesday night. He’s one of only 63 living recipients of the highest military decoration in the U.S. armed forces and the only one from the Korean War era.

On Nov. 18, 1952, during the Korean War, then-Lieutenant Williams and three fellow Navy pilots encountered seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets while defending U.S. naval forces off the coast of North Korea. In a fierce 35-minute aerial engagement, Williams shot down four enemy aircraft. After his own aircraft was struck by enemy fire and severely damaged, Williams continued maneuvering to shield the ships below before successfully landing his crippled jet aboard the USS Oriskany.

For more than five decades, the full scope of Williams' heroism remained classified due to sensitive geopolitical implications. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, declassified records confirmed the details of the engagement. Williams was initially awarded the Silver Star, which was upgraded to the Navy Cross in 2023. His eligibility and consideration for the Medal of Honor came this year when legislative action in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 removed prior time limitations.

To advance his work visiting and recording interviews with veterans like Williams, Beyer has founded a nonprofit called Veteran Lore. The president is Marilyn Huerta, a CSUSM communications professional, double alumna and military-affiliated advocate. Beyer and Huerta have applied for grants that would allow them to travel outside the region to gather oral histories from other veterans. 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

As part of the biannual Arts & Lectures series and in concert with community partner Veteran Lore, CSUSM will hold Veterans History Project II: The Journey Continues on Wednesday, April 8. The event builds on the success of the inaugural edition that took place last year; it’s co-hosted by Jason Beyer, a CSUSM double alumnus and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Marilyn Huerta, a CSUSM communications professional, double alumna and military-affiliated advocate.

The program will share more of the work that’s included in the San Diego Veterans History Initiative, a project through the CSUSM library’s Special Collections department that reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, veteran support and experiential learning.

“The San Diego Veterans History Initiative is deeply personal for me as a Marine, an alumnus and now as a professional committed to serving our veteran community,” Beyer said. “These stories deserve to be heard, preserved and honored. By continuing this project and expanding it to include career connections, we’re not only reflecting on service, but actively supporting veterans as they transition and thrive beyond the military.”

The evening will begin with a reception, resource fair and expanded career fair from 5-6 p.m., offering veterans and military-affiliated guests the opportunity to connect with campus departments, community organizations and employers interested in hiring veterans. The formal program will follow from 6-8 in the University Student Union ballroom on the CSUSM campus.

The formal program will feature keynote speaker Jim Gruny, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired colonel, followed by a film screening showcasing professionally recorded oral histories of veterans representing diverse backgrounds and service experiences. The recorded interviews will be archived in the CSUSM library’s Voices of North County collection and the U.S. Library of Congress, contributing to the national Veterans History Project and preserving veterans’ legacies for future generations.

“This event is about creating space for stories, for connection and for opportunity,” Huerta said. “Veterans History Project II allows us to honor the lived experiences of veterans while building meaningful bridges to resources, careers and community. Preserving these stories through the CSUSM library Special Collections department and the Library of Congress ensures that their impact will extend far beyond one evening.”

The oral histories this year will feature veteran stories from:

• Virginia F. Burke, U.S. Army (1968-70), first lieutenant (O-2)
• William D. Felty (CSUSM alumnus), U.S. Marine Corps (2003-07), corporal (E-4)
• Edmund Joseph Labrado Jr., U.S. Army (1969-70), captain (O-3)
• Joshua K. Loop (CSUSM alumnus), U. S. Coast Guard (2008-17), lieutenant (O-3)
• Dora L. Luevano, U.S. Marine Corps (1965-67), corporal (E-4)
• Thomas J. Moore (CSUSM alumnus), U.S. Marine Corps (1993-2019), master sergeant (E-8) ret.
• David B. Shaffer, U.S. Air Force (1963-67), captain (O-3)

The event is open to the public, with free tickets available for CSUSM students and military-affiliated guests. Advance ticket reservations are encouraged. Organizations interested in hiring veterans are encouraged to reserve space in the career fair.

For tickets and additional event information, visit the Arts & Lectures website. 

The rankings showcase U.S. universities and colleges committed to supporting military service members, veterans and their families through targeted programs, student-veteran communities and financial support. 

CSUSM ranked 27th out of 357 institutions overall.  

Institutions included in the Military Times rankings are evaluated on academic quality, affordability, student support services and outcomes for veterans, including graduation and retention rates. This year, institutions examined a surge in both online and hybrid program options for active-duty students, as well as growth in dedicated veteran resource centers.   

CSUSM was also ranked in additional categories for Military Times: 

• Fifth in the West
• 20th among traditional institutions
• 22nd among public institutions
• 26th in general education 

With one in nine CSUSM students being military affiliated, the university has long been dedicated to providing them with the environment and support needed to succeed in higher education. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“I became a hospital corpsman and was embedded in the Marines,” Jones said. “I worked in trauma bays and in field environments. I saw the best and worst of humanity. And through it all, I knew I was doing what I was meant to do – take care of people.”

Jones served for two decades, earning accolades, earning the respect of her peers and gaining the kind of experience that most civilians could only imagine. But when she retired from active duty, a different question emerged: What comes next?

“I wasn’t done serving,” she said. “I just needed to find a new way to do it.”

That calling led her to Cal State San Marcos, where she is part of the inaugural cohort of the university’s new Veterans Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) program. The program is designed specifically for veterans who, like Jones, bring a wealth of medical experience and leadership into a second career as a registered nurse.

“This is just a different kind of uniform,” Jones said. “The mission is still the same: serve with compassion, leadership and integrity.”

A New Path Built for Veterans

Jones already had earned a master’s degree in forensic science and worked for the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office in her post-military career. But something was missing.

“I missed the connection with the patients,” she said. “There’s something sacred about caring for someone when they’re vulnerable. I needed to get back to that.”

She learned about the VBSN program at CSUSM after seeing a flyer. The program immediately piqued her interest, especially its focus on supporting veterans’ transition into health care.

“When I saw the VBSN flyer, I felt like it was calling me,” Jones said. “I realized I could bring everything I’d learned in the military – trauma care, leadership, the ability to stay calm in chaos – and use it to keep helping people.”

She applied and was accepted into the spring 2025 cohort. Now, in her second semester, she’s thriving.

For U.S. Army veteran Anthony Caesar Sapinoso, the journey to the VBSN program began in high school, when he enlisted through the Army's Future Soldiers program in 2016. He served as a 68 – an Army licensed vocational nurse – and always knew he wanted to build a career in health care.

“I saw that the Army would become my foothold and way to get not only a glimpse but actual experience in the field,” Sapinoso said.

While exploring nursing schools across California, Sapinoso found CSUSM’s VBSN program somewhat serendipitously.

“I started my search from the Bay Area, where I’m originally from, and branched out. After being rejected from several programs, I was elated when I got the acceptance letter from San Marcos,” he said. “The shorter timeline to licensure and graduation also made CSUSM’s program stand out.”

Purpose-Driven Support

Designed with veterans in mind, the VBSN program offers tailored advising, peer support and a clinical curriculum that values the lived experience of those who have served. Students complete rigorous hands-on training at hospitals and health care facilities throughout the region, preparing them to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.

“Veterans possess qualities that make them exceptional nurses: leadership under pressure, teamwork and a deep understanding of trauma-informed care,” said Wendy Hansbrough, director of the School of Nursing. “The VBSN program honors their service and supports their transition into one of the most critical professions in our health care system.”

Jones says the support from faculty and peers has been key to her success.

“The transition from a corpsman to a student nurse is not always easy,” she said. “But this program was built for us. They know where we’re coming from and what we bring to the table.”

Sapinoso agrees. Now in his second semester, he admits that he felt some initial hesitation.

“I was unaware initially that most of my cohort already had a bachelor’s degree in another field, and I didn’t,” he said. “I felt some slight imposter syndrome, but that quickly disappeared once we started clinicals and skill tests. That’s where my military experience kicked in, and my confidence showed up.”

He credits the Army for shaping his holistic approach to patient care and cultural competency.

“Being in the Army was both a fun and hectic time where, despite everyone’s different backgrounds, we came together to make the best of any situation,” Sapinoso said. “That spirit of teamwork and care carries into everything I do now.”

Faculty like Matt Mincey, who teaches Fundamentals of Nursing, see the difference that veterans carry into the classroom and clinical rotations.

“Tara and her fellow veteran students bring a depth of life experience. The ability to remain calm under pressure is incredibly valuable in clinical settings,” Mincey said. “Our role as faculty is to honor that experience while challenging them to grow as professional nurses.”

A University Committed to Veterans

The VBSN program reflects CSUSM’s long-standing commitment to military-connected students.

“At CSUSM, we believe in the transformative power of education, especially when it supports students who have already given so much in service to others,” said Jennifer Ostergren, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. “The VBSN program is a powerful example of what happens when we create purpose-driven pathways that honor lived experience and open doors to meaningful careers.”

Jones hopes to specialize in critical care nursing and eventually work in a VA or military-affiliated hospital. Sapinoso, too, remains open to the possibilities.

“Whether in the Army or as a nurse, I’ve always wanted to be of service to others,” he said.

Looking Ahead

With an ever-growing demand for nurses, particularly those with crisis leadership and cultural competency, CSUSM’s VBSN program addresses workforce needs while cultivating the next generation of health care leaders.

Interest in the program continues to grow through veteran word-of-mouth and university outreach. The School of Nursing is actively recruiting future cohorts and remains committed to expanding access to this unique and impactful academic pathway.

For students like Jones and Sapinoso, it’s more than just a degree – it’s a calling fulfilled.

To learn more about CSUSM’s Veterans BSN program, visit www.csusm.edu/nursing or email cehhs-ss@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

In recognition of his many extraordinary contributions, CSUSM bestowed Jackson with a Presidential Medal of Honor during spring commencement last week. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who exemplify the highest standards of leadership, service and unwavering commitment to the values of CSUSM. 

Jackson’s contributions to CSUSM exemplify his steadfast dedication to student success and community impact. Since joining the university’s Foundation Board in 2012, he has served in a variety of capacities, including director, chair and adviser. A passionate advocate for veterans, he was the inaugural chair of the President’s Military Advisory Council and established an endowed scholarship with his wife, Sue, to support veterans. His contributions extend to athletics, where he mentors student-athletes, fostering leadership and personal growth. 

“We are profoundly grateful for Gen. Jackson’s advocacy, mentorship and service,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “His unwavering dedication to our veterans, his mentorship of student-athletes and his enduring commitment to education and our community make him an extraordinary leader and role model. He has made an indelible mark on our university and embodies the very spirit of the CSUSM Presidential Medal of Honor.” 

With one in 10 CSUSM students identifying as military-affiliated – the highest per capita in the California State University system – Jackson’s many contributions exemplify this shared dedication to military-connected individuals and the broader community.   

A Legacy of Service 

With a distinguished career spanning more than 36 years in the United States Marine Corps, Jackson retired in 2012 after serving in pivotal roles, including commanding general of Marine Corps Installations-West and director of operations and logistics for U.S. Africa Command. As an infantry officer, he commanded at every rank, contributing to global operations in Iraq, the Horn of Africa and beyond, earning numerous decorations such as the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. 

After his military service, Jackson continued his leadership as director of California State Parks and Recreation, where he emphasized the importance of conserving natural resources. His commitment to education is reflected in his academic achievements, including a bachelor’s and master’s degree from San Jose State University and advanced studies at institutions such as the Army War College and Harvard Kennedy School. 

Mentor, Advocate and Friend to CSUSM 

Jackson’s distinguished military career, philanthropic leadership and commitment to education exemplify his shared vision with CSUSM: to empower individuals, uplift communities and lead with purpose. A champion of higher education, Jackson has long recognized its transformative power in building equitable communities and preparing future leaders to meet society’s evolving challenges. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey, with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.

CSUSM is the only California State University school, and one of just two California four-year public universities, to receive the designation. UC Riverside is the other.

CSUSM earned a Silver Award designation in 2018.

“At Cal State San Marcos, we are deeply honored to serve those who have served our country,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “With one in 10 of our students identifying as military-connected, we’ve built a strong, supportive community centered at the Epstein Family Veterans Center, where students can access resources tailored to their unique journeys. Earning this designation reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that military-connected students and their families have the tools, support and opportunities they need to thrive in their academic and professional lives.”

The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.

Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“I am very proud of what Cal State San Marcos is doing for our military community," said Josh Loop, director of CSUSM's Veterans to Naval Careers program. “The results of the MFS survey reinforce that this is a campuswide effort and that the entire university is dedicated to serving and supporting our active-duty service members, our veterans and their families.”

In addition to the Veterans to Naval Careers program, CSUSM supports the military community through Extended Learning, which offers bachelor's degree programs at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, including in cybersecurity and supply chain management.

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of  Military Friendly®. “Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools that achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.”

For more information about CSUSM's student veteran programs, go to the Veterans Services website. 

About Military Friendly® Schools

The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

The event, which drew more than 350 registered attendees, was a blend of heartfelt veteran stories, emotional video presentation and community-wide recognition for the dedicated individuals behind the project. Led by Jason Beyer, the director and interviewer for the project and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Marilyn Huerta, project art director and a CSUSM communications specialist, the project aimed to capture the personal stories of veterans in the hopes of preserving their legacies for future generations.

The Journey of the Veterans History Project

The CSUSM version of the Veterans History Project began as a passionate initiative to honor the experiences of military veterans, ensuring that their stories are archived and shared with the broader community. Beyer learned about the Veterans History Project through the Library of Congress after attending a Student Veterans of America conference, and he wanted to focus on preserving these stories for the nation's history. He played a pivotal role in connecting with veterans and the Library of Congress for the archival process.

Huerta collaborated with Beyer, providing invaluable contributions to the interview and video production process. From meeting the veterans to filming their stories, Huerta was instrumental in capturing the essence of these men and women who served our country. She also helped organize the event at CSUSM, which included a resource fair and reception for military-affiliated guests and students. She is not only a veteran spouse but also the daughter of Vietnam War veteran Lawrence C. Finley, Sr., who died just a few days after she met the veterans in this project.

A Day of Recognition, Reflection and Connection

The event featured a series of poignant moments, from the resource fair and reception to the keynote speech by veteran Amy Forsythe. Forsythe, who also served as the event’s emcee, shared her experiences and reflections as a military veteran. She is the author of the book “Heroes Live Here,” which chronicles the stories of veterans and their families at Camp Pendleton, shedding light on the sacrifices made by those who serve. Her speech, with a call to action to “share your story,” resonated deeply with the audience.

Two CSUSM representatives – Josh Loop, interim director of Veterans Services, and Ryan Stevenson, a psychologist from Student Health & Counseling Services – were guest speakers at the event, further emphasizing the university's commitment to supporting its veteran community.

Another highlight of the event was Jim Desmond, representing the 5th District of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, virtually delivering remarks about the county's ongoing support for veterans. As a veteran himself, Desmond shared stories from his time in the Navy and presented a proclamation from San Diego County to Beyer and Huerta for their work on the Veterans History Project.

California Legislature Honors Veterans, Project Leaders

The event’s significance was further underscored when Darshana Patel, assemblymember for California’s 76th District (which includes CSUSM), provided certificates of recognition for Beyer, Huerta, Forsythe and each of the six veterans who participated in the project. The certificates not only acknowledged the veterans' service but also celebrated their willingness to share their personal stories with the public. Those stories will soon be available to the public at both the Library of Congress and CSUSM’s Kellogg Library as part of the Voices of North County archive.

Jennifer Ho, communities and cultures archivist from CSUSM’s library, provided insight into the archival process, detailing how these veteran interviews would be transcribed and preserved for posterity. The raw interviews, slated for transcription later this spring, will be accessible for generations to come, ensuring that these veterans' legacies remain alive in the hearts of future citizens.

Veteran Stories Captured for Posterity

The veterans whose stories were featured at the event came from diverse backgrounds and service experiences, but all shared a common thread – an unwavering commitment to our country. The veterans interviewed for the project are:

• Jan Michael Letigio Lacea (CSUSM alumnus) – U.S. Navy: 2011-18, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (E-6)
• Albert F. Toro – U.S. Army: 1967-69, Sergeant (E-5)
• Thomas Galyean – U.S. Army: 1968-72, Captain (O-3)
• Elmer Royce Williams – Minnesota National Guard: 1942-43, U.S. Navy: 1943-80, Captain, Ret. (O-6)
• Dora Ann Beacham (CSUSM alumnus) – U.S. Marine Corps: 1992-2014, Master Sergeant, Ret. (E-8)
• James Robert Forster II – U.S. Air Force: 1967-71, Staff Sergeant (E-5)

“When my friend Jason Beyer from CSUSM asked me to be a part of this, I thought it was a small school project, but it turned out to be part of a larger, critical mission of preserving veteran stories,” Lacea said. “Especially for the Greatest Generation, our World War II veterans, some of their stories may be soon lost forever. I am truly honored for Jason, Marilyn Huerta and the rest of CSUSM for inviting me to be part of this project, especially as an alumnus. I’m happy to share my story, particularly for those that I served with and for those that are no longer with us.”

These veterans, along with their families, were honored at the event, receiving recognition not only for their military service but for their participation in the Veterans History Project. Four of the six veterans were present at the event to receive their certificates.

A Memorable Event for All

The event’s setting, an intimate video viewing experience, allowed guests to reflect on the stories of these veterans. The videos were emotional and engaging, mixing humor with heartache as each veteran shared their unique journey.

“What I wasn't expecting was how emotional I became,” said Shad Thielman, a lecturer in CSUSM’s history department. “It made me think of my father, grandfathers and those we have lost. In a sense, it humanized things again, which is one of the most important aspects of such history.”

Beyer and Huerta expressed a strong desire to continue this important work, ensuring that future veterans’ stories are preserved in a similar fashion.

For those who were unable to attend the event or wish to revisit the powerful video that was previewed during the ceremony, the video is now available for viewing online.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The event is at 6 p.m. on March 19 in the USU Ballroom. Reserve tickets online via the Arts & Lectures website. 

The stories shared will be archived at the Library of Congress and in CSUSM’s Kellogg Library, preserving their legacies for future generations. The keynote speaker is Amy Forsythe, a Marines Corps veteran, Navy reservist and CSUSM alumna. The formal program will be preceded by a veteran/military resource fair and reception at 5 p.m. 

CSUSM’s Arts & Lectures series offers a diverse lineup of artistic, cultural and scholarly events every semester based on input and proposals from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. 

What: “Veterans History Project,” an Arts & Lectures event that features the oral histories of military veterans 

When: 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 19 

Where: USU Ballroom 

Who: Keynote speaker is Amy Forsythe, a Marines Corps veteran, Navy reservist and CSUSM alumna. 

Tickets: Visit the Arts & Lectures ticket webpage 

Cost: Free for CSUSM students and military-affiliated community and resource fair guests; $5 for faculty, staff and alumni; $10 for community members 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The event, titled “Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey,” will take place March 19 in the ballroom of the University Student Union on CSUSM’s campus. Directed by Jason Beyer (a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CSUSM alumnus) and Marilyn Huerta (a CSUSM alumna and employee), the event will provide an intimate and poignant look into the personal experiences of veterans who served across multiple wars and branches of the U.S. military.

The Veterans History Project is a collaborative effort among CSUSM, the Library of Congress in Washington and the university’s Kellogg Library, with the veterans’ interviews being archived both at the Library of Congress and the CSUSM library’s special collections department. The project’s purpose is to ensure that the stories of U.S. veterans are preserved for future generations, honoring their sacrifices and contributions.

The March 19 program, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature powerful snippets from filmed interviews with six local veterans:

• Elmer Royce Williams, a 99-year-old who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War
• Dora Beachman, Marines (and CSUSM alumna)
• Michael Lacea, Navy (and CSUSM alumnus)
• Albert Toro, Army
• Thomas Galyean, Army
• James Forester, Air Force

The event also includes a keynote address by Amy Forsythe, a Marine veteran, Navy reservist and CSUSM alumna who will reflect on the importance of preserving veteran stories and the ongoing impact of military service on communities.

The formal program will be preceded at 5 p.m. by a veteran/military resource fair and reception, offering attendees an opportunity to learn more about veteran resources and services.

The Veterans History Project is the result of months of dedicated work by Beyer, who connected with and interviewed the veterans and also ensured that all interviews met the criteria for archiving with the Library of Congress. Huerta, who spearheaded the initiative on the CSUSM campus, helped bring the project to fruition and is leading the coordination of the March 19 event.

CSUSM student Adel Bautista also played a key role by filming the interviews, and history lecturer Shad Thielman will be helping to create video transcriptions for the project archives. The resulting footage will be shared with the Library of Congress and archived for future generations.

Additionally, Sean Visintainer and Jennifer Ho from the CSUSM library are responsible for archiving the filmed interviews, ensuring their preservation for future research and study. These interviews will be included in the Voices of North County collection, a digital archive hosted by the CSUSM Library.

“These veterans’ stories are not just part of history; they are part of our community's fabric,” Huerta said. “By archiving these oral histories, we are making sure future generations can connect with the courage, resilience and sacrifice of those who served our country.”

The event is open to the public. CSUSM students and the military-affiliated community can attend for free, while tickets cost $5 for CSUSM faculty, staff and alumni, and $10 for the general public.

The Veterans History Project is sponsored by multiple CSUSM organizations: Veterans Services; the College of Business Administration; the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the departments of history and social work; Student Health & Counseling Services; and Kappa Sigma Tau-Omicron.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partners and supporters,” Beyer said. “Together, we are ensuring that the voices of our veterans are not forgotten and that their legacies continue to inspire future generations.”

Event tickets can be reserved online. Anyone interested in participating in the resource fair can email Huerta at mhuerta@csusm.edu or Beyer at beyer005@csusm.edu.

Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey

Date: March 19

Time: 6 p.m. (resource fair and reception at 5)

Location: CSUSM’s University Student Union Ballroom

Tickets:

• CSUSM students: Free
• Military-affiliated community and resource fair guests: Free
• CSUSM faculty/staff/alumni: Free
• Community: $10

Not when he graduated from high school and decided to enlist in the Marine Corps. Not when he exited several years later and found himself rudderless without the structure provided by the military. Not while he worked a series of odd jobs and dabbled in multiple blue-collar professions.

McCabe figured that he was destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom were lifelong construction workers.

“I thought that I was going to do some kind of manual labor,” McCabe said. “I was like, ‘I can’t do college. I’m not smart enough.’ ”

That mentality prevailed until the end of 2021 when, feeling like he was out of viable options, McCabe elected to use his GI Bill benefits and enroll at Palomar College. Three years and a transfer to Cal State San Marcos later, he has arrived at the definitive conclusion that college is indeed for him.

A senior, McCabe is on track to graduate next spring with a degree in human development. His grade-point average at CSUSM is 3.9 – a vast improvement over the 1.7 he recorded in high school – and he has made the dean’s list every semester.

McCabe, though, has found his most meaning and purpose outside of the classroom. Continuing the work he started at Palomar, he was hired as a student assistant in the Epstein Family Veterans Center through the federal work-study program before being promoted to a School Certifying Official (SCO).

An SCO acts as the middleman between a university and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In that role, McCabe helps CSUSM student veterans or the dependents of veterans access the VA benefits that they’re entitled to, in the process working frequently with the offices of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services.

He also serves as a de facto academic adviser, assisting military-affiliated students with course selection and scheduling.

“This is the best job I've ever had, and I've had a lot of jobs,” he said. “I get to work with veterans all day. I get to work with veteran families. And I like working at a college.”

Christopher Ramirez, the interim assistant director of Veterans Services, met McCabe when the latter was a Palomar student expressing a desire to transfer to CSUSM. Impressed by McCabe’s passion for supporting fellow veterans, Ramirez tapped him for the work-study role, then bumped him up to SCO when his experience with Palomar’s veterans center allowed him to outshine his peers.

“To be successful as an SCO, you need to have a desire to help people, which Clay has,” Ramirez said. “He truly cares for people and goes above and beyond to help students, from talking to them about applying, to assisting them with signing up for classes, to discussing benefits with them.”

McCabe, 28, is the youngest of three boys in a family from Kansas City, Mo. After high school, he tried a local community college for a few weeks but disliked it so much that he dropped out in favor of the Marines in 2015.

He attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and underwent combat and job training at Camp Pendleton, where he learned how to be the crewman of an amphibious assault vehicle, 26-ton tanks that can carry 23 Marines and float in the water. He went on two deployments – neither to combat zones, to his great relief – and traveled to 10 different countries during his time in active duty.

“I got to see a lot of the world,” McCabe said. “I’ve been to the Arctic Circle. I’ve been past the equator. I’ve seen the Northern Lights. I got to go through the Suez Canal. I’ve done a lot.”

McCabe not only saw the world through the Marines, he also met his future wife in the military, at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. McCabe married his wife, Sydnee, in 2017, he retired from the Marines two years later, and Sydnee remained in until last February. The couple moved to Temecula in 2019, only a few months after McCabe’s exit, and his transition out the military was daunting.

There was a stint in HVAC school. There was a period working as a pipefitting apprentice on a huge construction site in Riverside. There was a dalliance with becoming a police officer or sheriff’s deputy. There were jobs with UPS, Home Depot and a fitness center.

What there wasn’t, however, was a clear sense of direction or mission. That came about when McCabe discovered higher education, and specifically CSUSM. And in two more developments that younger Clay couldn’t have imagined, he’s hoping to stay in the Veterans Center as a full-time SCO after graduation and begin a two-year Master of Sociological Practice program next fall.

Make that three developments: He and Sydnee had their first child, a daughter named Mia, in May.

“I get a huge dopamine rush whenever I am able to help people,” he said. “Whenever I talk to somebody in my job and they have no idea what they are entitled to, I'm like, ‘Yeah, you can use this. Your kids’ stuff can be completely paid for.’ And you just see in their face that this changes everything.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The program has been so successful that two more rounds of funding have been provided, and the latest award is not only one of the largest in university history, but it also broadens the scope of the project.

This summer, CSUSM received a five-year grant worth up to $12.5 million from the Office of Naval Research to continue the work of Veterans to Energy Careers (VTEC). But the program has been renamed Veterans to Naval Careers (VNC) in a reflection of the fact that it has expanded to include civilian jobs in all areas of Navy research and development, not just the energy sector.

The $12.5 million award is the largest current federal grant for CSUSM and the second-largest in university history. It also more than doubles the amount that CSUSM received from the Defense Department in 2021 ($6 million, though over three years instead of five) and quadruples the amount of the initial award in 2018 ($3 million, also three years).

“The Navy has been very direct that they like what this program does, that CSUSM is running it well and getting great outcomes, and they want to continue to grow and expand the program,” said Josh Loop, the program director of VNC. “The Navy sees this program as a long-term investment and initiative for our student veterans.”

Since the advent of the program, VNC has supported student veterans and partners in 27 states, spanning from Hawaii to Maryland. VNC participants have been placed into 313 internships with 31 partnering organizations, including 164 internships at eight Defense Department facilities. And boosted by those internships, 225 participants have secured employment with 143 companies and government entities, with more than 99% of them landing jobs before graduation.

Under the new grant, VNC plans to place at least 100 student veterans into year-round internships lasting one to two years with Navy personnel and ensure that all 100 receive job offers before graduation. That’s double the benchmark from the previous grant and more than three times that of the original grant.

The additional funding also will allow VNC to increase stipend amounts for students so that the program compensation stays competitive with similar internships and accounts for the elevated cost of living on the West Coast and other internship sites.

“Veterans to Naval Careers is a veterans transition program run by veterans, for veterans,” said Loop, a veteran of the Coast Guard. “As veterans, we understand the challenges of transitioning to civilian life because we've been in their shoes. We're committed to offering the mentorship, resources and paid internships to ensure that veterans gain the skills and experience they need to secure successful careers before they graduate, setting them up for long-term success in their civilian lives.”

She didn’t major in history as a student at Cal State San Marcos in the mid-2000s (her degree was in communication). She doesn’t teach history or speak at history conferences or write about historical eras or figures.

Yet there Forsythe was last March, on stage at San Diego State’s Joan B. Kroc Theatre, being inducted into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame with six other trailblazing women. Her category: historian.

The honor was one that first surprised her, since she has served as a military journalist in two branches of the U.S. armed forces for three decades. Upon reflection, though, as she sat on the stage, it overwhelmed her to be recognized for documenting the stories of service members and their families for so many years, most notably on five combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Sharing the courage it takes to wear a uniform and fight and risk everything is a great source of pride for me,” Forsythe said. “I was very honored to be a part of that wonderful, diverse group, and being considered a historian takes it to another level I never even imagined.”

Forsythe is nearing the end of her decorated military career, but she’s not done sharing stories of valor. In May 2022, she self-published a book titled “Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines Since 9/11.” It takes readers on a journey through the vast training base in Oceanside – where Forsythe served as an enlisted Marine for almost six years leading up to Sept. 11 and where she still works as a civilian public affairs officer – and provides insights behind more than a dozen tributes and monuments on base that pay homage to brave Marines.

In her research for the book, Forsythe learned that more Marines from Camp Pendleton were killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars than from any other base or station in the United States.

“That was a really heavy burden for the community of Oceanside and North County,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of people know the legacy of this base that marked its 80^th anniversary last year, so I wanted to shine a light on that.”

Last spring, Forsythe visited the Special Collections department of the CSUSM library to contribute a signed copy of her book (anyone can purchase their own inscribed copy by going to heroeslivehere.com). It was just one of several recent examples of her becoming reconnected with her alma mater. Those include meetings with campus and Veterans Services leadership, a speaking gig for the College of Business Administration series “In the Executive’s Chair” and a role as emcee when the San Diego Military Advisory Council gave its Lifetime Achievement Award to Maj. Gen. Tony Jackson, the former chair of CSUSM’s Foundation Board.

“In the past, I tried to attend one alumni event a year, but then I realized that there are more opportunities for partnerships,” Forsythe said. “I like finding ways to make connection points and trying to be the glue between Camp Pendleton and the university.”

A Santa Rosa native, Forsythe enlisted in the Marines in 1993, five years after she finished high school. She received just the assignment she was seeking by being dispatched to Defense Information School, the U.S. Department of Defense’s version of journalism school, where she learned all aspects of being a public affairs professional in the military – from print, broadcast and radio journalism to community engagement and media relations. After initially being stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, she got orders to go to Camp Pendleton in 1995. Over the next several years, she wore multiple hats, including content producer for the base TV show and reporter for the base newspaper, the Scout.

Forsythe left active duty in 2000 to enroll at Palomar College, but everything about her planned life path changed the following year after 9/11 happened. Though she managed to complete her higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree from CSUSM in 2005 and a master’s in global leadership from the University of San Diego in 2009, her status as a combat correspondent came to be dominated by three tours of duty in Afghanistan and two in Iraq over a period of 16 years.

As a staff sergeant who gave herself the title of visual information chief, Forsythe led a staff of troops whose task was to collect video footage, interview Marines and assist the media in their reporting. In 2006, for example, she was in charge of the satellite dish that would be transported to Iraqi war zones like Fallujah and Ramadi and be used to connect military leaders with news outlets in America, or to link Marines with the TV stations in their hometowns.

It was a great experience for Forsythe, knowing that she was helping to craft the narrative that was being beamed back to the U.S. But it was also a profoundly dangerous one. In December 2006, Megan McClung, a public affairs officer and Forsythe’s boss at the time, was killed when the Humvee in which she was escorting journalists around Ramadi was blown up by an IED. McClung became the first female Marine Corps officer to die in combat during the Iraq War.

“I wasn't on the convoy that she was with, but we had been at the same camp,” Forsythe said. “It could have been me, it could have been any one of us. Her death really changed the dynamic, especially about women and public affairs. It's not just the infantry who’s at risk anymore. It's not just young, enlisted combat troops. It's everybody.”

After another deployment to the exact same location in 2008, Forsythe left the Marines and accepted an officer commission in the Navy Reserve. (“It was the best decision I ever made,” she said. “I love the Marine Corps, but the opportunities in the Navy are so much wider.”) With the Navy, she was sent to Afghanistan two more times, but she also went to such diverse places as Romania (where she met her husband), Poland, Germany, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Guam. For her final stint in the Middle East, in 2018, she served as the public affairs officer for an Army Special Forces (think Rangers and Green Berets) task force that was charged with training and doing missions with Afghan commandos.

“That was a great mission, the height of anything I could have asked for,” she said. “It was surreal for me.”

Throughout her illustrious career, whether on dusty battlefields thousands of miles from home or the relative safety of Camp Pendleton, Forsythe has been guided by wisdom best summarized by a colonel she worked under at the peak of the fighting in Iraq in 2006. When communicating to the public about what’s happening in the military, he said, don’t focus on the technology or the equipment or the weapons.

Focus on the bravery.

“It's pretty scary to step foot in Iraq and Afghanistan, not knowing what's going to happen,” Forsythe said. “It takes a bit of courage that other people don't have, so zero in on those aspects of storytelling. When I’m at a loss for what's unique about a story, I remind myself to find and share the courage. People can relate to that.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

CSUSM is home to nearly 500 student veterans, the highest percentage per capita of any California State University campus. CSUSM also serves close to 2,000 military-connected students, comprising 12% of the campus population. For the week of Veterans Day, Veterans Services also is placing 2,000 flags at Forum Plaza to represent the university's military-connected students.

CSUSM invites the campus community to participate in the following events: 

Veterans Day Celebration 

Thursday, Nov. 9, noon, Veterans Center 

Stop by the Epstein Family Veterans Center outdoor deck during U-hour to commemorate Veterans Day. Food and drinks will be served. Attendees can RSVP on the Veterans Services website. 

Stars & Stripes Movie Night 

Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., Forum Plaza, USU Arcade, USU Amphitheater 

Associated Students, Inc., will show the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” to honor military-affiliated students. There will be food served and an opportunity to win free swag.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The film “To What Remains” will be shown on Nov. 8 at the McMahan House on campus. The feature-length documentary, directed by Christopher Woods, chronicles the search by Project Recover for the more than 80,000 Americans missing in action since World War II.

After the screening, there will be a short Q&A session with Derek Abbey, president and CEO of Project Recover, and Jack McGrory, a member of the CSU Board of Trustees who has a relative impacted by the work depicted in the film.

Students involved with CSUSM's Epstein Family Veterans Center and the veterans centers at San Diego State and USD – as well as community members – are invited to attend the screening, which is sponsored by Cox Communications and Viasat. Both companies support military families and have been recognized as top employers for veterans.

The event is Nov. 8 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is free, and parking and food and beverages will be provided. Because space is limited, attendees are asked to RSVP by Nov. 3.

According to its website, Project Recover has completed more than 75 missions in 21 countries, discovered and documented more than 75 aircraft associated with MIAs, developed a growing database of more than 700 cases associated with more than 3,000 MIAs, accounted for over 80 missing-in-action service members, and helped to bring home 17 American heroes.

He thought the only way to tell if he was cut out to be in college was to put everything into his next test. If he failed again, he would take it as a sign to pursue a different path. 

“I studied obsessively, and ended up getting a B on that next test,” said Rodney, a biochemistry major at Cal State San Marcos. “It wasn't an A or anything crazy. But I thought maybe I can manage this if I keep studying. I learned what habits and what time of day to study that worked for me. It was really self-doubt because I felt like I was faking it. But that went away slowly.”

This wasn’t the first time Rodney felt like he didn’t belong in the classroom. He was diagnosed with ADHD in first grade, and was told to take medication every day with little explanation about his diagnosis.

“It kept me from thinking that I could do well in school,” Rodney said. “That's why I graduated from a continuation high school. I would think to myself, ‘I have ADHD, so, why bother?’ ”

Struggling academically wasn’t the only challenge Rodney faced while growing up. Early in Rodney’s childhood, his mother suffered from drug addiction, which led to the separation of his parents. 

“My mom and I went through a phase where it was rocky between us because we never discussed it,” Rondey said. “I joined the Navy and we faded away and I sought counseling when I was at the University of Memphis. I talked to her about our relationship, and we got to have open conversations about it. And it's helped a lot. She's happily remarried and doing awesome now.” 

Rodney persevered and he’s doing things he never thought he could as a child. Rodney was honored as the university’s  2022 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement recipient on Sept. 13. He is planning to apply to medical school and become a family medicine doctor or psychiatrist so he can help those with addictions after he graduates next spring.  

Serving in the United States Navy for five years drew Rodney to the medical field. It gave him the opportunity to provide for himself and his family. It was also a way for him to thank the programs that helped his mother. 

Rodney worked as a Navy hospital corpsman and also treated post-surgical patients and postpartum mothers at the Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms. Rodney also collected forensic evidence as a volunteer sexual assault forensics assistant. 

“Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic things somebody can go through,” Rodney said. “If I can be an advocate the rest of my life or somehow help people or figure out other ways to help, then that would be great.”

Rodney started his journey to becoming a doctor at the University of Memphis because it was near where he was stationed. But Rodney knew he wanted to move to California, and he felt the pandemic was the perfect time to transfer. 

“I looked up good schools for veterans,” Rodney said. “And San Marcos was one of the top ones. I made the right decision because we have a really good veterans program here.” 

Rodney has certainly made an impact at CSUSM. He has taken active roles as president of the Student Veterans Organization and he coordinates volunteer activities at Ivey Ranch, a nonprofit that helps with the recovery of children with disabilities and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Not only did joining the Navy find his passion, it also led him to his fiancee, Kurumi. He is planning on getting married later this year. 

“I'm in a really good place,” Rondey said. “That's what I say every day, no matter what happens. I think things turned out way, way, way, way better than I expected. Overall, I'm always happy. I'm so happy I met Kurumi as well. She's just been a huge blessing that showed up out of nowhere.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

CSUSM has become one of 49 partner campuses of Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE), which connects incoming student veterans with those already on campus to help them navigate college life and ease the transition from the military to academia.

PAVE is a collaboration among the University of Michigan, Student Veterans of America and a network of partner campuses. CSUSM is the third partner campus from California State University, joining Chico and Fullerton.

Paul Tontz, who is coordinating PAVE at CSUSM as the director of Veteran Services, described it as a pilot program that will support 400 student veterans. CSUSM has hired a graduate assistant to help manage the program and three peer advisors to engage in outreach. The grad assistant is Jonathan Ramer, an Air Force veteran who's pursuing a master's degree in education at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Tontz pointed to data showing that one-year and four-year retention rates for transfer student veterans (who make up the majority of student veterans at CSUSM) are significantly lower than the rates for all students.

“This is saddening to me,” Tontz said. “More needs to be done to help engage these students in academic success and a sense of belonging. We’re thrilled to be partnering with PAVE, which will help our student veterans transition to higher education with the support of other current student veteran peer advisers.

“The approach is simple: outreach, support and referrals to campus partners and resources. Our team is hopeful that, with its implementation and the data that is collected through intentional outreach this spring, these rates will catch up and exceed the general student population.” 

The main goals of the PAVE program are to:

• ease the transition from the military to academia;
• improve student veterans’ sense of connectedness to their school;
• create a safe haven and source of support;
• identify mental health issues and other concerns in a timely manner and connect student veterans with appropriate resources;
• improve student veteran academic performance;
• and increase student veteran retention rates.

Since the program’s inception, more 1,600 peer advisors have been trained and over 25,000 student veterans have been contacted by peer advisors. PAVE is part of M-SPAN (Military Support Programs and Networks), a group of programs at the University of Michigan developed to address the needs and challenges faced by service members, veterans and military families.

In addition to PAVE, Tontz said CSUSM is acting to support student veterans in two other ways this semester: by establishing a deeper connection with Student Health & Counseling Services through virtual and in-person drop-in counseling hours at the Epstein Family Veterans Center, as well as a new collaboration with the Office of Success Coaching.

Tontz comes from a Navy family. He joined the Navy himself after earning a biology degree from the University of San Diego before leaving early to pursue a career helping support collegiate athletes. Years later, upon completing a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Denver, Tontz returned to the service as a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve from 2009-18.  

All that military experience is now CSUSM’s gain, as Tontz helps support a population of student veterans that is the highest per capita in the California State University system.   

As Veterans Day approaches, we talk with Tontz about the holiday, why he came to CSUSM, and his fascinating family background. 

Question: Why was this position at CSUSM appealing to you? 

Paul Tontz: This career opportunity was appealing to me because it has given me the chance to use my military and student affairs background, education, and research interests to support a population of students who I highly treasure. 

Q: What does Veterans Day mean to you personally? 

PT: Veterans Day to me means a celebration of service. I think it is vital to remember not just our student veterans, but our active-duty and military-dependent counterparts who continue to serve or have also served alongside our veterans. The day is a chance to recognize the talents, experiences and abilities that our veterans sacrificed on a daily basis. 

Q: What were your primary duties in the Navy Reserve and what was that experience like? 

PT: My primary duties were to provide weather and oceanographic forecasts to our Navy fleet to maintain the safety of our assets in the air, land and sea. However, what I enjoyed most about my role as a Navy Reserve officer was the opportunity to interact with active and reservists in helping them discover and find a path to higher education. Many times my AGs (aerographers) wanted to ask questions about how to get into college, degree planning and financial aid. It is not necessarily the weather. 

Q: What can you tell me about your family in terms of military connections? 

PT: I come from a long line of Navy personnel, mainly medical officers. My grandfather, Capt. Joseph McGinley, M.D., retired as a Navy pediatrician. My dad and Uncle John Leo were Navy dentists. My Uncle Bill was a Navy orthopedic surgeon. My brother broke the tradition and currently serves as an Air Force flight surgeon. But I would say my greatest inspiration comes from Navy history in our family. I am related to Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the first Secretaries of the Navy. Also, my great uncle Leo McGinley was killed aboard the USS Bunker Hill when it was attacked by kamikazes on May 11, 1945. 

Q: You’re from a family of 10 children. What was that household like to grow up in? 

PT: In a couple words, chaotic and noisy. As one of the only introverts in my family, I was always scrambling for some private, quiet time. As the son of two amazing parents who taught me discipline, love and compassion, I have grown to appreciate my now-adult siblings and teach my students these same values. I can remember my first time living outside of the house on my own: I had to sleep with the TV on to match the level of ambient noise I had grown up with, which provided comfort.  

Q: Your dissertation was about the “coming out” experiences of Division I gay athletes. Why was that subject interesting to you? 

PT: As a lifelong athlete, sports provided me a safe space to build self-confidence, even in a world that wasn’t exactly friendly to being different. I struggled myself to come out in a climate of sport that wasn’t very supportive. It wasn’t until I began my first career working with student-athletes that I realized that many of my student-athletes were suffering and didn’t have a voice or the ability to truly be themselves. When I learned that many struggled with their mental health and suicide, I was inspired to do research to learn best practices for supporting these athletes in Division I athletics. Supported by an NCAA graduate research grant, my dissertation shared the stories of this marginalized population and helped create some of the positive change we now see in college athletics for LGBT student-athletes.  

Q: According to your bio, you have worked in various capacities at about a dozen colleges over the last two decades. What has that kind of nomadic existence been like and what are some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way? 

PT: I have been fortunate to have had opportunities to learn how to become a professional in this field by working at many different types of educational institutions. I gained additional skills as I changed military commands due to my relocations. The nomadic life was exciting, but I am glad to have settled down in San Diego due to being a native San Diegan who grew up in Point Loma/Ocean Beach. The biggest lesson I have learned is that you can never underestimate the power of a great team one works with and the supportive nature of your supervisor. I feel blessed to have found that at CSUSM and treasure the opportunity to get paid to do the work I love in supporting this population. 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

He was a high school sophomore in Chicago. It was Art 2 class with Miss Wood, who was one of his favorite teachers. The class was working on body portraits. They were using wooden figures, which reminded 16-year-old Armando of department store mannequins.

Miss Wood tended to turn on a television in one corner of the art room while her students were working on projects, and this morning was no exception. It was tuned in to CNN – just background noise for high school kids, really. From his vantage point, though, Armando had a clear view of the screen, and he happened to look up just as the first tower became engulfed in flames.

“I remember telling my buddy in front of me, ‘Dude, are you seeing this?’ And then everybody's attention was caught, and even my teacher stopped talking and giving us direction,” Manzo recalled. “We all turned to the TV. And I just remember there being dead silence and people gasping: ‘What is going on? Is this even real?’ ”

The otherworldly horror of Sept. 11, 2001 was all too real, and it affected Manzo profoundly. He wanted to drop everything and join the military right then and there, but for various reasons he waited until his mid-20s. He served in the Marines for almost a decade, including an eight-month stint in Afghanistan, before exiting in 2018.

Now a transfer student at Cal State San Marcos who’s on track to graduate next summer with a degree in business management, Manzo is in a reflective state. It’s a common sentiment, particularly among veterans, as the United States approaches the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack just after it completed its military withdrawal from the nation whose actions precipitated the longest war in American history.

Manzo will share his story, and his emotions, when he speaks during CSUSM’s annual 9/11 remembrance, which will take place Friday at noon at the Epstein Family Veterans Center. Members of the campus community also can attend the event via Zoom.

“It's definitely crazy that it's been 20 years,” Manzo said. “I think a lot of what went on in Afghanistan recently brings up those same emotions and thoughts and feelings that I had back in 2001. The fact that we were at war for 20 years, since that day, and everybody who not only we lost that day in our country, but everybody who I knew and people I didn’t know who we lost overseas in this war ... I've been having a hard time with it.”

Since he was only 16 when 9/11 happened, Manzo couldn’t enlist in the military right away, but he made a pact with three of his cousins – whom he grew up with in Chicago and regarded more as older brothers – to sign up as soon as they all graduated from high school. Because they were older, however, the cousins got a head start on Manzo. They joined before he could. They deployed before he could. They experienced the trauma of war before he could.

All three of them actively discouraged Manzo from following through on his plan, to the point that they wouldn’t help him connect with a military recruiter.

“They were like, ‘Nope, you're the one who actually has a chance to do something with your life. You're smart, you have personality, you can go to college. What we're dealing with over here is not for you,’ ” he said. “They were completely against it.”

Manzo reluctantly heeded their advice and tried to chart a different life path. He enrolled in a community college to pursue a nursing degree. Deciding that was too difficult, he switched to a culinary school in downtown Chicago. Soon after, though, he found himself as a single father at age 21, so to provide for his baby daughter, he dropped education and at one point was working three jobs. 

All along, that nagging feeling that he should be serving his country, doing his part to honor the memory of those who died on 9/11, lingered at the back of his mind.  

“It took a toll on me for a long time,” Manzo said. “I could never really focus in school, always having those ‘what if’ thoughts in my head. There was some resentment. There was some envy. 

“The reason why I wanted to join never left me. That image on that TV in my art class has never left me.” 

At 24, eight years after the indelible moment, Manzo enlisted in the Marines. His cousins had relented by then, assuring him that the situation in the Middle East had calmed considerably. Seeking to make up for lost time, he threw himself into every task and rose up the ranks rapidly.  

His deployment finally arrived in 2013. He was sent to Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan as an administrative specialist. As Manzo puts it, the three things service members care about most when they’re deployed are their paycheck, their mail and their chow. He was responsible for two of them, for a unit of more than 350 personnel.  

His duties isolated him from the worst of the violence, but he wasn’t immune from risk, as when he would deliver mail to forward operating bases. 

“That was dicey,” he said. “Going through those villages, on convoys, man, you never know. You're a moving target.” 

When Manzo returned from Afghanistan, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton, and while stationed there he reconnected with a woman he had known in Chicago. He married Anna Liza, a 2015 CSUSM graduate, four years ago, and they now have a large blended family of three boys and two girls in their Escondido home. 

Manzo withdrew from the Marines to try college again in 2018, and after two years at Miramar College (where his wife works), he enrolled at CSUSM last fall. He’s in his second year of a work study program through Veterans Services, and he aims to become an officer in the Student Veterans Organization this fall. His goal after graduation is to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs or a nonprofit that supports the veteran community. 

Every Thursday night, Manzo has been attending support group meetings at the San Marcos Vet Center for veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In recent weeks, the conversations have been especially raw as those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom process the end of the campaign in Afghanistan and openly wonder if their sacrifice was in vain. 

“I've been trying to compartmentalize these thoughts and emotions, and it makes you really think about how this all started. Why did we do this?” Manzo said. “Forget 20 years. Every year that has gone by, it's like, we're still in it, we're still fighting. And then with what's going on now, I think about everybody who has been lost and affected by this, and it just sucks, to be honest. That's the only way I can describe it without getting too emotional.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The grant to Veterans to Energy Careers (VTEC) from the Office of Naval Research covers three years at double the amount of funding that established the program at CSUSM in 2018. The substantial increase in grant money is a reflection of the success that VTEC has enjoyed in placing student veterans into internships that lead to energy careers as well as a desire by ONR to expand the program to a wider swath of the country.  

The original grant of $3 million required VTEC to place at least 30 student veterans into internships at any given time. Under the terms of the new grant, which began Aug. 1, that reach has increased to 50 internships. 

Simultaneously, VTEC, which mainly has been connecting universities with sites at naval bases on the West Coast and in Hawaii, will work to broaden its reach to the Eastern seaboard. The program plans to work with campuses like Old Dominion University and George Mason University, two Virginia institutions with large populations of student veterans and close proximity to the naval base in Norfolk. 

“One of the things that’s really beautiful about this grant is that we will be able to help that many more student veterans capitalize on their prior enlisted skill sets and put them to use with their academic major choice and future career,” said Dr. Paul Tontz, the principal investigator for VTEC and the director of Veteran Services at CSUSM. “Another benefit is that this funding really highlights Cal State San Marcos’ role in helping student veterans and military-connected students prepare for a life of giving back in meaningful ways.” 

VTEC is an outgrowth of a similar initiative that engaged student veterans in Energy System Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP) projects, brought to CSUSM by Patricia Reily, the former director of Veteran Services at the university. Through VTEC, student veterans receive paid internships in sustainable energy research labs while also getting professional development like practice job interviews and résumé building.  

“There was a desire to bridge what veterans are doing in their academic courses with their military experience and put them on a trajectory to a career,” Tontz said. “That’s why the ONR is such a fan of this grant, because it really taps into that previous military experience.” 

Since it was initiated in 2018, VTEC has placed 146 interns, and more than 99% of them were offered a job before they graduated from college. Forty of the interns are or were student veterans at CSUSM. 

Besides Tontz, the VTEC team consists of Joshua Loop, technical program manager; Moses Maddox, talent developer and recruiter; and Stephanie Trevino, data analyst; and Sin Ae Kook, communications and outreach manager.  

Before Tontz arrived at CSUSM in July, the program was supervised by Dr. Scott Gross, former interim senior administrator for Veteran Services and current associate vice president of industry partnerships.  

The paper – titled “Changes in VO2max and cardiac output in response to short-term high-intensity interval training in Caucasian and Hispanic young women: A pilot study” – compares responses to exercise training between Hispanic and Caucasian women. Additional authors on the paper include fellow CSUSM student Rasmus D. Clausen and kinesiology professor Todd Astorino.

Astorino noted the importance and relevance of the project because of CSUSM’s status as “a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the large prevalence of Hispanics in the San Diego region, and the marked health disparities which exist in this population.”

Astorino also had a paper published as a featured article in the January edition of Spinal Cord, an international journal that has published spinal cord-related papers since 1963. Astorino said the paper, titled “Viability of high intensity interval training in persons with spinal cord injury—a perspective review,” will be widely read by scientists who study the effects of physical activity on health status in those with spinal cord injuries who face enhanced risk of morbidity and mortality.

MPact names Spieldenner executive director

Communication professor Andrew Spieldenner has been named executive director of MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights, which “works at the intersection of sexual health and human rights and is linked to more than 120 community-based organizations in 62 countries who are leading innovative solutions to the challenges faced by LGBTI communities around the world.”

Veterans Center building net-zero

Solar panels at the Epstein Family Veterans Center are operational and the facility is now net-zero energy, meaning solar produces all the power needed to operate the building. The project was designed and constructed by Facilities, Development and Management.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

It was hard enough for Lee to juggle a heavy class load in biological sciences as she felt the pressure to try to graduate from CSUSM this spring, within a three-year hiatus from active duty granted by the U.S. Navy to pursue her education as part of its Career Intermission Program.

On top of her academic stress, she has been balancing the demands of motherhood, caring for her 4-year-old daughter while helping her two older daughters – 8 and 19 – navigate virtual learning. Her husband, a Navy veteran, was out of work for an extended period because of the perilous nature of his job as a dental hygienist. She even had to drop everything this fall to assist her aunt as she prepared for and recuperated from cancer surgery.

Then, with Lee’s husband having returned to work and her school demands gradually easing, COVID-19 delivered yet another blow. The dental clinic shut down again, leaving the family financially strapped just as her housing allowance through the GI Bill was expiring at the semester’s end.

“It’s been pretty devastating, to say the least,” Lee said of the personal impacts of the pandemic.

So, when Lee recently saw an email pop into her inbox offering student veterans who qualify the opportunity to receive some much-needed financial assistance in time for the holidays, she overcame her aversion to charity and seized on the chance. This week, she will pick up a $500 gift card and some ready-made meals that will contribute to making her family’s Christmas a little bit brighter.

“I was ecstatic when I found out,” she said. “I didn’t know what to say. I thought I would probably have to reach out for some sort of help, and this came along at just the right time.”

Lee’s reaction is no doubt music to the ears of the generous donors who made this last-minute campaign possible. It all started just last month when the newly formed project team that’s building the hospital for Kaiser Permanente in San Marcos decided that it wanted to support veterans and transitioning military members for the holidays.

The team reached out to Tana Lorah, the senior manager of government and community relations for Kaiser Permanente San Diego, who in turn reached out to CSUSM, knowing how integral veterans and military-connected students are to the university. The original intention was to donate gift cards to assist five to 10 families along with 50 boxed meals.

That’s when things started to snowball. CSUSM Veterans Services sent a message to its students with a form by which they could request assistance – either a gift card or a meal or both, depending on whether they were a veteran or a military dependent. The response was overwhelming. Within seven hours, more than 100 requests had been submitted.  

“It was way more than we anticipated,” said Scott Gross, interim director of Veteran Services. “It does make you pause and say, ‘Wow, what a reminder of how this is so difficult for so many.’ And what surprised the staff is that veterans tend to be proud and resilient people, so there can be some resistance to asking for help.  

“We knew there was a need, but we didn’t realize the scale.” 

When it learned of the substantial need among the CSUSM student veteran population, the Kaiser Permanente project team scaled its efforts up accordingly. DPR Construction, the general contractor for the hospital, allocated a staff member to organize and gather the donations. From a small adopt-a-family model, the initiative grew to the point that the project team gave $23,600 in gift cards and 200 meals.  

“This is the team’s way of giving back and saying thank you for the opportunities we’ve been given,” said Joseph Stasney, Kaiser’s national director of hospital design and construction, who led the giving campaign with DPR executive Lucy Villanueva.  

“We have been very fortunate, and this year it is especially important to reach out and help those who are certainly in need. As part of this wonderful group of people, I can tell you it came from the hearts of everyone.”  

As the momentum began to build, CSUSM’s division of University Advancement joined the fray, enlisting donors to help support the cause. The Epstein Family Foundation, which gave the money that built the veterans center at CSUSM, made a lead gift to provide additional support to students, and other donors chipped in for a combined total of more than $16,000. 

The final tally: $500 gifts for 79 student veterans and 345 boxed turkey dinners for military-connected students and their families – just in time for the holidays.  

“In addition to being grateful for the generosity of these donors, I am proud of the CSUSM team that we were able to mobilize as quickly as we did, get a sense from our student veterans about what their situation was, and then turn around and provide the gifts quickly,” Gross said. “With a bureaucracy like ours, as big as we are, that’s not an easy thing to do. But the whole time we’ve been working through the questions, what’s motivating us is the knowledge that this is going to make someone’s holiday. This is going to put a smile on kids’ faces. It’s going to mean some of our students having a meal when they weren’t going to otherwise.” 

With all the adversity she’s dealing with, Lee wasn’t planning to cook a big meal for Christmas. She doesn’t think her girls would have minded, but now she won’t have to worry about it. As for the gift card, she intends to devote the $500 to the family’s grocery budget, helping to allay their food insecurity and giving her one less source of stress for the holidays. 

“This assistance will be a really huge help for us,” Lee said. “I cannot thank the people enough for allowing my family and other student veterans to have a little bit of relief in this harsh time.” 

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

He has defended his country in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively.

He has designed war plans, has a master’s degree from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., and, as an officer, now teaches command and staff.

And it all started with white-board sessions as a chemistry major at Cal State San Marcos.

Utuk, the current program director and deputy regional director at the Marine Corps University at Camp Pendleton, makes it clear he owes much of his career success as a military officer to the time he spent at CSUSM, specifically in Jackie Trischman’s class and lab.

“I remember the white-board sessions with Jackie,” Utuk said. “She was able to provide students almost like a playground whereby you were building relationships with your peers while you were learning. I remember many times during those white-board sessions where she would just come down and watch us. She might say something inspirational to make you want to go back and research a little bit deeper. She taught us that you can memorize these things and pass the exam, but if you are not able to have the critical thinking and apply your God-given talent to have an in-depth knowledge of what you’re being taught, then you cannot apply it and advance those principles where it matters the most in the real world.

“Those white-board sessions – I wish I could write a book about it. Everything that I’ve done planning war plans or doing anything like that, I always start with a white board.”

Utuk enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1997 and began attending CSUSM as an enlisted member shortly after. His time as a chemistry major didn’t come easy. The subject matter didn’t come naturally to him, and before graduating in 2002, he struggled with some of the same challenges all undergraduate students face.

That’s when Trischman came into his life. A chance meeting turned into an opportunity as a lab tech.

“I remember how kind Jackie was,” Utuk said. “She is a beautiful angel in that her heart is just so big. There’s no way I could afford the textbooks so I had to work additional to complement some of the financial hardships of living in Southern California as a single young man. She was kind enough to offer me a job as a lab technician, which I really cherished.”

The job opportunity was not only critical to Utuk’s development, it provided an opportunity for the Marine to learn something about how much he could truly accomplish.

“It was hard work, don’t get me wrong,” said Utuk, whose master’s degree is in National Security Strategy and Military Science. “Obviously working as a lab tech, supporting her when she was doing her research, it was a lot but it was high payoff. It taught me hard work, it taught me the value of relationships, and lastly, it gave me something that I take with me to the grave, which is my education. I always told myself if I can survive Jackie, if I can survive her class in chemistry, I can do anything in life. She’s a lifetime mentor of mine.”

The respect and gratitude goes both ways.

Trischman, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, attended Utuk’s graduation ceremony aboard the USS Midway in 2002 as Utuk was an active-duty Marine.

“He is a fantastic guy; very diligent and respectful,” said Trischman, who is the interim dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “Eddie was so enthusiastic remembering the lab and his classmates, and I loved finding out a small piece of his success story.

“He is the living embodiment of a quote I have on a sticky note on my computer screen: ‘Let your faith be bigger than your fear!’ ”

Now living in Carlsbad, Utuk married his wife in 2004. Twelve years later, Janette, a registered nurse at Tri-City Medical Center, delivered baby Brie Meribelle to the world.

Utuk took the assignment at Camp Pendleton so he could, in his words, stabilize his family. By 2023, he figures to retire from military service.

Utuk comes from a military family. His father was a colonel in the Nigerian Army who came to the U.S. to attend Airborne Infantry School at Fort Benning in Georgia as an exchange student.

Eddie was born in Fort Benning and grew up in Columbus, Ga., but was essentially a military brat, living all around the world once his father’s time was done there. One of his father’s classmates is the current president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

“Being a military brat, you just learn the prestige of being able to serve your country,” said Eddie, whose father died in 2009. “I come from a position of gratitude. I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve as a Marine. Now I mentor, coach and train many, many young people to be my future replacements. I’m just so grateful to be given the opportunity by people who invested so much of their time in me, including my dad, to teach me and show me the right way to be a human being.”

His path has found an ideal landing spot in North County.

Utuk would like to return to school to obtain a doctorate. He and Janette have plans to expand their family some day in the near future. He wants to continue to teach and mentor, and do all of the above in the region.

No matter where life takes him, Utuk is grounded, respectful and thankful above all else.

And wherever he goes, he’ll be sure to bring his white board.

“Three things for me matter the most,” Utuk said. “The very first thing is character. I truly believe character is something that is baked into you. It’s what gives you a conscience to do the right thing when no one is looking. The second thing is compassion. Compassion is why we serve. Love for all the people. Putting other people first and being selfless in that manner. And the last thing is passion. If you say you’re going to do something, by God, you have to do it.

“You have to make sure your words match your actions as a human being. If I can pass those to my daughter, I believe the sky is the limit in terms of what she can accomplish in life.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Veterans Services has been holding Rendèzoom events for military-connected students every Thursday since CSUSM moved to virtual instruction in March. The one-hour lunchtime Zoom sessions provide an opportunity for student veterans to ask questions or simply catch up with friends and colleagues.

In collaboration with ASI and the Black Student Center, Veterans Services is hosting the May 7 Rendèzoom event in honor of the university’s annual Memorial Day observance. A moment of silence will be observed at 12:10 p.m. in memory of military personnel who died in service to the United States.

CSUSM students, faculty and staff are invited to join the Rendèzoom call at noon on May 7 at this link.

CSUSM is home to more than 470 student veterans, the highest percentage per capita of any California State University campus. The university also serves more than 1,700 military-connected students, which is 11% of the campus population.

For David Falconer, it quite simply changed his life.

“It means everything,” said Falconer, a Cal State San Marcos junior. “When I got the money, what it was used for, it didn’t just go to me. It went to my entire family. That scholarship helped us move out of a bad neighborhood and get us into a good neighborhood so I can concentrate on school and my son can concentrate on kindergarten. It meant everything.”

Falconer was one of four recipients from CSUSM to earn a 2019 Veteran Student of the Year Academic Scholarship awarded by the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) Foundation. The scholarship for veterans of military service is intended to bridge the tuition gap between the time when GI Bill benefits expire and the amount of time it takes to complete an undergraduate degree in the science, technology, math and engineering (STEM) fields.

Falconer served five years in the Marine Corps and three more in the Marine Corps Reserves as an Aviation Logistics Information Management System and Support Specialist. He is majoring in computer science and information systems and expects to graduate in spring 2021.

Three other CSUSM students were also honored with the scholarship, all of whom are veterans of the Marines. Jeff Foertsch and Michael Tobin are both majoring in computer science and information systems, and Jason Burley is pursuing a bachelor’s in biochemistry with a minor in Spanish.

Falconer grew up in New York and spent the first 19 years of his life there before enlisting. While he knew college was always going to be in his future, he decided to delay that plan for an unselfish reason.

“I joined the Marine Corps because I love my parents so much,” Falconer said. “I didn’t want to burden them with having to pay for me to go to college. I felt like the military, especially the Marine Corps, was a way to take care of myself and be able to make money while I was doing that. As soon as I left home, they didn’t have to pay a cent for me.”

In his eight years of active and reserves duty, the 27-year-old Falconer was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and saw duty in places such as Japan, Hawaii, South Korea, and Guam, where he met his wife Kelyann, who is currently serving in the Army. They have two children: a son, 5, and a daughter, 1½.

While on terminal leave from active duty in December 2015, he got a position at Viasat as a network security representative, where he helps maintain closed-area government programs. By February 2016, he was working full time at Viasat while also joining the reserves.

Falconer eventually added full-time student to his résumé when he enrolled at CSUSM in spring 2018. Going to school full time while also working in the STEM field full time and serving in the reserves has been quite the challenge.

“This past year and a half has probably been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, including going to boot camp,” Falconer said. “Every single day when I wake up, I have to be 100 percent on my ‘A’ game for every aspect of the day. Wake up on time, make sure I produce at work, and then get to school and make sure I’m ready to soak up information and then apply that information. Then come home and make sure I’m loving and open and receptive to my family after a long day.

“It’s a 12-hour day at minimum, and that’s not including homework. Hands down it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

Falconer makes it clear there’s only one reason he survived that first semester and has thrived since: support. He felt it the moment he stepped on campus.

“As soon as I got there, they had a transitioning class for veterans, which helped me get settled right in,” Falconer said. “I’m 100 percent sure I’d be lost without the veteran programs. I still go to those organizations and ask for guidance today. They’re crucial to everything Cal State San Marcos is.”

Three members of the CSUSM community in particular stood out when Falconer has needed help: recently retired Director of Veterans Services Patricia Reily, who nominated him for the scholarship last year, Veterans Retention Counselor and alumnus Moses Maddox (’12) and Chrystal Hady, a senior academic adviser.

“While we have only had the chance to sit down a couple of times, Moses has been an example of someone that I would like to emulate,” Falconer said. “He’s a Marine as well and has had straight conversations with me. (Hady) is an amazing adviser. She has helped plan my journey every step of the way at CSUSM. She has helped me balance out classes with my busy work schedule. When I first came to CSUSM I was in line to get four transfer credits for my time in the service. She helped me track down leaders of each department to plead my case and have my time in the military equate to 14 credits.”

While he plans to grow at Viasat, Falconer’s long-term goal is to return to CSUSM to get a degree in business and open his own company in web design marketing.

His story is one of not only reaching out for help and accepting it from various sources, but also paying it back by sharing wisdom with students who are about to embark on the same journey he began years ago.

“Reach out to people,” Falconer said of the advice he would give. “Talk to people. Learn people. If people see that you’re motivated and want to succeed, they’ll reach out a helping hand and take care of you. That’s what my journey has been. I’ve had countless people take care of me and show me the way, show me the path. That’s the only reason I’m here and able to take care of my family. Keep those around you that you know are good and cherish them.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Beyer is a military veteran himself, a Marine who served at the outset of the war in Iraq, and he enjoyed walking to Helen Bougher Memorial Park with his children and showing them the names on the wall, teaching them about the values that the military holds dear. About four years later, Beyer even purchased one of the travertine tiles and added his name to the wall. 

So he was dismayed to discover that the tile he bought was the last one available to the public. The wall had run out of space.  

“For the past several years, it’s been like, ‘Well, what should we do?’ ” Beyer said. “There’s not really a plan in place for veterans who live in San Marcos. One of them I know has cancer and he’s a little bit older. He wants to be able to have something memorialized in the park before his time is up.” 

Facing what he views as a ticking clock for some fellow veterans, Beyer is attacking the problem with energy and urgency. Now a business management student who’s on track to graduate from Cal State San Marcos in spring 2021, he has formed a group called the San Marcos Veterans Memorial Initiative (SMVMI) that includes about a dozen members from both campus and the surrounding community. Their goal is to present a plan for an expansion of the wall to the city of San Marcos and to raise money to make the project a reality.  

On Monday, Beyer was the guest speaker for the San Marcos Veterans Day ceremony at Helen Bougher Memorial Park, where he talked about this year’s theme of “Providing a Lifetime of Service” and touched on his efforts to enlarge the All Veterans Memorial.  

“Jason’s passion and energy are great, and arriving at a very good time,” said Greg Rassatt, a retired Army colonel who invited Beyer to speak and who was part of the original committee that helped bring the memorial wall into existence in 2009. “He is keeping alive the effort to add more tiles, to include bringing in fresh ideas from CSUSM students.” 

Last spring, after he had convened the SMVMI and solicited initial feedback on their project from the San Marcos city manager and parks and recreation director, Beyer came up with the idea of partnering with art students at CSUSM. He contacted Kristin Moss, an associate professor of visual arts, who was receptive to his overtures.  

This semester, Moss decided to use one of her most popular classes – Public Expression in the Arts, an upper-division GE course for art and non-art majors alike – to help Beyer tackle his dilemma. She divided the class of 51 students into seven groups, each of which worked over a period of several weeks to create a design for an expansion or reimagining of the memorial wall, including the building of a scale model.  

“My students design a lot of hypothetical public artworks, so it was nice to have a real-world opportunity with real design parameters,” Moss said. “And I think that some of the ideas that they came up with could be useful to the veterans initiative as it moves forward with the city. 

“An opportunity like this really strengthens the connections between the university and the local community. I love to do community-engaged projects, but a lot of times I’m working with someone I’ve sought out or someone I know, and this time Jason really sought us out.” 

The student groups presented their designs last month to the SMVMI, which in turn plans to present them to city officials later this year or early next year. After initially envisioning something of a design competition among the students, Beyer was so wowed by their conceptions that he hopes to incorporate bits and pieces from all of the designs.

“I was impressed with how much detail they got,” Beyer said. “They went to the park at night and brought up lighting issues. They went to Home Depot and got pricing and gave examples of why LED would illuminate more. They came up with ideas for fundraising and where to get certain material. They really went all out.”

To manage the fundraising, Beyer and his group are working with Friends of San Marcos Parks and Recreation, a nonprofit that’s supported by city staff in trying to enhance the city’s parks and recreation programs and facilities. Beyer envisions two rounds of fundraising, the first to cover the cost of an architectural blueprint and the second for the construction itself. He anticipates the project taking about three years from start to finish.

“Jason is really the first one to try to physically do something about the wall,” said Buck Martin, San Marcos parks and recreation director. “Nobody has stepped up and said, ‘OK, here’s a check or here’s what we’re going to do,’ and the city hasn’t had the resources to expand the wall. It’s quite an undertaking that Jason is trying to take on. We all want him to be successful.”

Besides wanting to expand the wall for elderly or sick veterans who might not have much time left, Beyer also has intensely personal motivations. Soon after transferring from Palomar College to CSUSM in fall 2015, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He began chemotherapy the following spring and eventually took two semesters off, both to fight the cancer and deal with lingering mental health struggles from his days in the military. That brush with mortality – he’s about a year away from being declared cancer-free – reminded him that life is precious and service to others is essential.

“I want my kids to remember me for something good,” Beyer said. “Rather than going to a cemetery where it’s usually somber, they can go to that park and remember me and remember what I tried to help do for other veterans.”

Perhaps Beyer’s chief inspiration for the wall project, however, is a harrowing experience he had in a combat zone, though strangely it came after he left the military. Following two deployments to Iraq, where he served as an aviation electrician, Beyer retired from the Marines and then got a job with a defense contractor in Afghanistan, doing satellite communications.

Only three months into the gig, on Labor Day of 2010, he was working with three other veterans when they received word that the area was under attack and to retreat inside of a bunker for safety. But a mortar shell landed just outside the bunker, and the explosion of shrapnel killed all three of his co-workers. It somehow missed Beyer.

He stayed on the job in Afghanistan for three more years, grappling all the while with survivor’s guilt.

“If it would have landed just a few feet to the south, it would have killed me, too,” he said. “I just kind of put blinders on for the rest of the time I was there.

“I’m trying to do what I can and experience as much as I can while I’m here on earth, because I got spared for whatever reason, and going to the wall would help keep their memory alive. It would be a good experience to see that wall complete. I’d like to be able to say I was a part of that.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

But it was well worth the wait.

Students, faculty, staff and community members celebrated the grand opening of the Epstein Family Veterans Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 10.

“The expansion and renovation of the Epstein Family Veterans Center are important signs of our university’s ongoing commitment to our student veterans and their families,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt told attendees. “All of us at CSUSM take great pride in supporting those who have served our country.”

The expansion and renovation was made possible thanks to a $1 million gift from the Epstein Family Foundation in 2017. It was the most significant gift in support of CSUSM’s student veterans since the donation of the center building in 2014. The Epsteins’ gift provided funds for the physical expansion of the existing center while also providing an endowment to fund critical programs to support veterans and their families.

“The Epsteins’ philanthropy and their commitment to our student veterans and their families is having a vital impact throughout our region, and I am grateful for their continued support,” Neufeldt said.

The expanded building was constructed off site in Riverside County and delivered to campus in May. The Veteran Services staff moved into the renovated center on Sept. 24.

The expansion created a larger lounge for students, computer lab and reception areas, and four additional offices.

“I am proud to be associated with a university and a community where dedication to our nation’s military is so integral to the mission,” said Tony Jackson, CSUSM’s Foundation Board chair and a retired Marine Corps major general.

In addition to the gift from the Epsteins, other key contributors to the project included: CSUSM’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction, which designed the expansion and oversaw the project; Silver Creek Industries, which customized the building to ensure that it best serves the needs of student veterans; general engineering contractor DMI, which spent countless hours on the foundational work; and the Veteran Services team.

Dan Epstein, Rep. Mike Levin of California’s 49^th congressional district and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones also spoke at the ceremony.

Ryan Dokich, a business administration student and Marine Corps veteran, was the emcee for the event and detailed how meaningful it was for him to have a dedicated space and support for student veterans. It was particularly impactful for Dokich as he battled lymphoma during his first semester on campus.

“For me, the Epstein Family Veterans Center served as a sanctuary,” Dokich said. “It was a place where I could quietly study away from the distractions. I always felt comfortable here because my fellow student veterans truly understand working through adversity. Having that space helped me succeed despite the difficulties I was facing.

“I am incredibly grateful for the center and all of the services provided to student veterans. Seeing this space expanded and renovated means it will be able to help so many other student veterans and their families. I am thankful for the Epstein family’s remarkable generosity and enduring commitment to supporting the veteran community.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt and interim Veteran Services Director Tony Jackson are among those scheduled to speak at the event.

The Epstein Family Foundation made a $1 million gift in support of the Veterans Center in 2017, the most significant gift in support of CSUSM’s student veterans since the donation of the center building in 2014. The Epsteins’ gift provided funds for the physical expansion of the existing center while also providing an endowment to fund critical programs to support veterans and their families.

The expanded building was constructed off site in Riverside County and delivered to campus in May. Renovations were completed in September, with Veteran Services staff moving into the renovated center on Sept. 24.

The expansion created a larger lounge for students, computer lab and reception areas, and four additional offices.

In addition to the gift from the Epsteins, other key contributors to the project included: CSUSM’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction, which designed the expansion and oversaw the project; Silver Creek Industries, which customized the building to ensure that it best serves the needs of student veterans; general engineering contractor DMI, which spent countless hours on the foundational work; and the Veteran Services team.

CSUSM has the highest per-capita number of military-affiliated students among all California State University campuses and is consistently ranked among the top schools in the annual “Best for Vets” college rankings.

What: Ribbon cutting to celebrate opening of expanded and renovated Epstein Family Veterans Center

When: Noon, Thursday, Oct. 10

Where: California State University San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92096

Who: Event is free and open to the public; tours and light refreshments available following formal ceremony

• Military suicides are at their highest rate in 10 years; 

• 20% of suicides nationally are committed by veterans; 

• 300,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Then there’s the clincher, the one that Felty essentially has turned into his greatest cause in life: On average, more than 20 veterans take their own life every day.  

“And I believe that number is lower than the true number of veterans who die by suicide due to overdose deaths, car accident deaths, poor tracking of veterans’ status after death, and so on,” Felty said. 

A Marine veteran who saw combat in Iraq and a recent graduate of Cal State San Marcos’ Master of Social Work program, Felty co-founded Veterans Crisis Outreach (VCO) in 2016. That was around the same time he started doing 22 pushups a day – the number is based on an outdated Veterans Affairs study on vet suicides – to raise awareness of the issue (he’s now up to almost 1,100 consecutive days).  

Felty is constantly seeking a bigger audience for his urgent message, and he hopes that later this month he’ll draw his biggest one yet. On Sept. 23, VCO – in partnership with CSUSM and the County of San Diego – will present an Arts & Lectures event titled “The Power of a Story: Building Resiliency for Veterans Through Community and Conversations.” 

The program will begin at 6 p.m. (reception at 5) in the USU Ballroom. Tickets are $10 for community members, $5 for faculty, staff and alumni, and free for students, service members and veterans. 

“With this forum, my hope is that more folks will know how to support our veterans and their families and be willing to get involved to be there for them,” Felty said. “I want to mobilize the community to address the veteran suicide crisis locally with the hopes that we can then encourage and support other communities to do so as well.” 

“The Power of a Story” is an outgrowth of a podcast of the same name hosted by Sara Correll, who met Felty and another veteran named Joe Hudak in 2016 and decided to use her platform to spotlight issues surrounding veterans and mental health. The trio founded VCO that year, and over the next couple of years, they held several forums bringing together community members, resource providers and experts in the field.

In February, Felty invited Correll and three other veterans to speak in his social work class taught by professor Jacky Thomas, whereupon the initiative caught the attention of Marilyn Huerta, a communications specialist in the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Huerta is not a veteran, but she’s steeped in the military life. Her father is a Vietnam War veteran who served for 20 years in the Air Force, her husband served in the Marines, and two of her four children enlisted in the military – a son in the Marines and a daughter in the Coast Guard.

Huerta also is pursuing a Master of Sociological Practice degree at CSUSM to fit her advocacy, community work and passion to support the military culture, and her research focuses on art healing for veterans. She is now helping to grow VCO, and as the former coordinator of the Arts & Lectures program, she led the effort to bring “The Power of a Story” to campus.

“I am a daughter, granddaughter, sister, spouse, mother, niece and cousin of veterans. How could I not try to be a solution to this crisis?” Huerta said. “I don’t have to be a veteran myself to say that the military is the culture I most connect with and our veterans and military service members are my family. I cannot turn a blind eye to this. I cannot pretend it doesn’t exist and stop advocating to make a difference.”

During the reception hour before the Sept. 23 program, more than 30 resource providers will be on hand offering employment and volunteer opportunities, mental health-related training and other ways for attendees to help the military and veteran community.

One of the first speakers will be Jim Desmond, the supervisor of the San Diego County district that includes San Marcos, and a Navy veteran.

“Mental health is one of the biggest issues that we are focusing on at the county, and veteran suicide is a national public health issue that must be addressed,” Desmond said. “Nearly one-third of the county’s population is related to the military, and they don’t live in a vacuum. They live with us, in our community. So we need to mobilize as a community to support our armed service members, veterans and their families.”

The highlight of “The Power of a Story” will be a panel moderated by Correll and featuring several veterans who will tell their stories about building resiliency from bouts with PTSD and suicidal thoughts.

“The efforts of this forum should bring a real and lasting impact to the folks who attend,” Felty said, “which will likely reduce the number of veterans who contemplate, attempt or take their own life, suffering alone or in silence here in the county.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The much-anticipated expansion of CSUSM’s Veterans Center is nearing completion, and many of the entities involved in making it a reality gathered to celebrate a milestone on Friday, May 24.

About 40 people attended a private “topping off” ceremony on the deck of the original Veterans Center. As President Karen Haynes spoke, attendees had a clear view of the ongoing expansion and they received a tour of the fledgling facility following the formal program.

“Today’s milestone is another sign of our university’s growth and commitment to our student veterans and their families,” Haynes said. “We take great pride in supporting those who have served our country, and the Epstein Family Veterans Center stands as an important home for the student veterans who have proudly served our country and sacrificed for the common good.”

The Epstein Family Foundation made a $1 million gift in support of the Veterans Center in 2017, the most significant gift in support of CSUSM’s student veterans since the donation of the center building in 2014.

The Epsteins’ gift provided funds for the physical expansion of the existing Veterans Center while also providing an endowment to fund critical programs to support veterans and their families.

The expanded building was constructed off site in Riverside County and delivered to campus earlier this month, with the renovations expected to be completed later this summer.

The expansion is creating a larger lounge for students, a computer lab and reception areas, and four additional offices, ensuring that the Veterans Center will be a one-stop shop for student veteran services.

“I am grateful for the Epsteins’ continued support of our university and commitment to our student veterans and their families,” Haynes said. “Their gifts are truly the difference between accomplishing dreams and merely imagining them. Their philanthropy is helping to move our university and our region forward.”

Haynes also thanked CSUSM’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction, which designed the expansion and has overseen the project; Silver Creek Industries, which customized the building to ensure that it best serves the needs of student veterans; DMI, which has spent countless hours on the foundational work; and the Veteran Services team.

Glen Bullock, president and owner of San Marcos-based DMI, noted CSUSM’s long history of working with veteran-based businesses as an appealing part of the project.

“We’ve been around the university now about 11 years and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity,” said Bullock, who served 10 years in the Marines. “The team out here at Cal State San Marcos is a pleasure to work with. It’s a family-oriented feeling, and you’re with people who really care. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be part of it.”

CSUSM has the highest per-capita number of military-affiliated students among all California State University campuses and is consistently ranked among the top schools in the annual “Best for Vets” college rankings.

“Our dedication to our nation’s military is an integral part of our university’s mission to serve the diverse population of our region,” Haynes said. “We take great pride in supporting those who have served and their dependents; in aiding their transition from a tight-knit community in the military to a tight-knit community here at CSUSM; and in focusing on each individual and positioning them for success now and beyond graduation.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Every Wednesday, for about five months starting last January, Jeffrey Foertsch would arise at 4 a.m. and take a bus from his Oceanside condominium to the nearest Sprinter station, where he would then catch a train to Cal State San Marcos. He would attend a couple of classes toward his major in computer science and information systems. 

Then, around lunch time, his day would really begin. 

Foertsch would leave campus and walk over to Discovery Lake, the starting point of a long, steep climb up to Double Peak. That might be enough of a workout for most people. But Foertsch would hike on and around the ridgeline trails for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, covering at least 16 miles and as many as 26. 

“I was always by myself, wireless headphones in, just trucking,” said Foertsch, who tended to listen to podcasts or electronic music. “That was prime hiking for me. I went through a couple good pairs of shoes in that period.” 

Foertsch knew about hard workouts from his days in the Marines, but there was a method to this particular madness. Around this time last year, he signed up for the Trailblaze Challenge, a one-day, 28-mile hike through the Big Bear Lake portion of the Pacific Crest Trail to raise money for the San Diego chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

In order to participate, Foertsch had to achieve a personal fundraising goal – his was $2,500 – that would contribute to a collective fundraising goal of $480,000 (ultimately, the 167 hikers in the challenge raised a total of $481,668). While he beat the bushes for donations, of course, he also had to hit the trails.  

But not only was he taking 17 credits during his first semester after transferring from Palomar College, Foertsch, 32, also was limited by the work demands of his wife, Samantha, a weekend site supervisor for Imaging Healthcare Specialists, and by his duties as a father to Eliza, then 5.  

Thus the killer Wednesdays.  

“It was one brutal hike a week, then a little bit of running,” he said. “That’s all I had time for.” 

The Trailblaze Challenge is split into two sessions, and Foertsch registered for the second one, which took place on June 2. He and his family drove north to Big Bear Lake the previous day, with the hikers gathering for a carbo-loading pasta dinner on the night before. When he awoke well before dawn for the event, the door of his hotel room was decorated with streamers and and pictures drawn by the Make-A-Wish kids – a message of thanks for his fundraising efforts. 

It served as a reminder to Foertsch about why he was doing it. 

“The fact that you’re helping kids is a big motivator,” he said. “If my daughter had cancer, I would want her to have a wish.” 

Feeling spry, Foertsch ran the first 12 miles of the challenge before slowing down to a nice, steady pace. With about six miles left, however, the muscles in his legs began locking up, and he was forced essentially to limp his way to the finish, where he was greeted by his wife and daughter. He fell just short of his target of eight hours. 

“It was brutal. I was in agony,” Foertsch said. “I was hobbling down the mountain, and Eliza was like, ‘Yay, Daddy, you did it!’ Then some people helped carry me over to a place to sit down and hand me a pizza.” 

Foertsch developed his interest in hiking in, of all places, Antarctica. After serving for 4 1/2 years in the Marines, mostly at Camp Pendleton, as an air traffic control radar technician, he exited in 2014, in part because of a shoulder injury. A short time later, he accepted a seven-month contract through the Navy to do some work at McMurdo Station, a research center on the tip of Ross Island in Antarctica.  

Frustrated by gaining about 20 pounds after he left the military and feeling cooped up in the research station, he started climbing some of the nearby mountains, including Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on the planet. When he returned to California, he signed up for a hiking club on Facebook, through which he learned about the Trailblaze Challenge. 

Foertsch hasn’t decided whether he will do the challenge again this year. Besides his studies – he's on track to graduate in December 2019 – he's also an intern working in analytics at the Veterans Center as part of the Veterans to Energy Careers (VTEC) program, which seeks to facilitate the transition of vets like Foertsch into STEM fields.  

Whether he trailblazes or not this summer, though, Foertsch is proud of what he accomplished. 

“When I was in the military, I never deployed, and I always felt kind of useless after I got hurt,” he said. “So I wanted to prove something to myself. I’ve always had these pie-in-the-sky dreams, and a lot of taking on the challenge was about proving to myself that I could do it.”  

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

During the service, his emotions overcame him, and he broke down in tears. The crying, though, was not because Steven was distraught over his friend’s death, or at least not entirely so. It was because the vet had accomplished what Steven badly wanted to do, what he had tried and failed to do numerous times. He had ended his life. 

“I felt like, ‘Man, I can’t even take my own life. He did it, and he got what he wanted,’ ” Steven said. “That’s how I saw the situation.” 

On Thursday, Steven will be in a considerably healthier mental state as he participates in a Veterans Day ceremony that is significantly more life-affirming. During the event, which starts at noon at the Veterans Center, the Cal State San Marcos business marketing student and Air Force vet will read a poem he wrote back in 2014, when he had just returned from a deployment to Afghanistan and was struggling with depression and anxiety. 

The poem, called “22,” was written in dedication to fellow military veterans who either have committed suicide or been beset by thoughts of it. The title is a reference to a 2012 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report that found that an average of 22 veterans a day take their own lives.  

As he reads the poem, he will look out upon his 8-month-old daughter, Julianna, the little girl who has helped save Steven from himself.  

“There were times before I had my daughter that I thought she would be better off without me,” he said. “Some of the verses in the poem show the reality of what veterans are leaving behind.” 

Steven grew up in Oceanside, just outside Camp Pendleton, the son of a Marine who worked in communications. Steven wanted to be a Marine just like his father, but Richard Sutherland forbade it – the Air Force became the compromise choice.  

As excited as he was to join the military, Steven couldn’t help wondering what he had signed up for when he was assigned to Eielson Air Force Base outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. The culture shock was profound. Steven remembers the closest Walmart being 25 miles away. 

“If you live there, you would call it civilization, but it’s nothing like down here,” he said. 

Trained as a military police officer, Steven performed duties that included law enforcement and security on base. After a deployment to the United Arab Emirates in 2012, he was recruited as part of a team to be attached to an Army unit responsible for personal security detail for Lt. Gen. Kenneth Tovo, who was second in command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.   

Because of who he was protecting, Steven generally stayed out of harm’s way, and unlike many of his military mates, he did not develop post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in the service. Rather, a general feeling of depression that he long had suffered from became exacerbated by his experience in the Air Force. 

“I always held myself to a really high standard, and that had a lot to do with the military,” Steven said. “I thought I had to be the best no matter what I’m going through. I expected perfection. As I was trying to live up to that and the military code, I realized how hard it can be. As I felt like I was falling short in certain areas of my life, I thought I was a screw-up, that I was worthless.”

His inner turmoil grew even worse when he returned from Afghanistan and was transferred to a base in Little Rock, Ark. For his 22nd birthday, he hosted a party at which he provided alcohol to some underage friends, a couple of whom proceeded to get in a fistfight. The group tried to keep the incident quiet, but after Steven’s involvement was discovered, he was demoted in rank. Only a week later, his then-girlfriend was sexually assaulted by some of his Air Force friends, and Steven blamed himself because it happened after he had left her alone following an argument.

“That’s when I was in a depressive state because I was in trouble and I felt like I had to get out,” he said. “That was when I wrote the poem.”

Steven requested and was granted a voluntary separation from the Air Force, and he moved back to Oceanside in 2015 to be around his support system of family and old friends. But his suicidal impulses did not abate. Over the next couple of years, he estimates, he tried to kill himself more than half a dozen times, including a few in which he attempted to jump out of a moving car driven by the woman who’s now his wife, Gina.

Everything came to a head last Veterans Day. After the memorial service for his friend at MiraCosta, where he was earning two associate degrees, Steven tried to buoy his spirits by playing in his usual weekly football game with fellow veterans. It didn’t work. As he was driving to his job as a waiter at a sushi restaurant in Carlsbad, he pulled off into a Home Depot parking lot, where – with a Monster energy drink in one hand and a bummed cigarette in the other – he hatched a plan.

“I felt my heart beating and my face pulsing,” Steven said, “and I remember thinking to myself, ‘OK, here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to go as fast as I can on the freeway, top out, and then slam the brakes and turn the wheel, wait for someone to hit me.’”

First, though, he called a veteran friend from the football game, who told Steven just to go to work, that he would come by to talk to him. The friend, Javier Guerra, instead brought the whole football team, and some of them stayed at the restaurant for almost four hours until Steven’s shift was over. They told him that not only did he need to seek help, but he also needed to check in with them regularly so they could hold him accountable.

“Making that call saved my life,” said Steven, who wrote another poem titled “Angels in Disguise” about that night. “That was the turning point.”

He had gone to therapy before, but now he enrolled in the Veterans Choice Program that would allow him to use an outside doctor rather than endure the long waits through the VA. Traditionally reluctant to try medication for his depression, he broke down and started taking a generic version of Zoloft.

Just as importantly, he grew in his faith, becoming more involved in his church, Grace Church in Oceanside. And, of course, Julianna came along, on Feb. 19.

These days, Steven feels as if he has tamed his mental demons. He married Gina, who graduated from CSUSM with a marketing degree six years ago, in January 2017. He’s in his second semester at CSUSM, and with his wife working full-time, he loads up his classes on Mondays so he can help take care of Julianna the rest of the week.

“This girl is my best friend,” he said as he cradled his daughter in his arms during a recent day on campus. “There’s never been a day that I’ve thought of suicide since she’s been here. And I don’t see myself ever going back.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

The recipients are:

• David Falconer, who served in the Marines as a computer network administrator. He is pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science and engineering.
• Alexandria Harding, who served in the Navy as an electronics technician. She is pursuing a bachelor’s in biology and aspires to have a career in the medical field.
• Michael Jones, who served in the Navy as a sonar technician. He is pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science.
• Daniel Vandiver, who served in the Marines as an aviation mechanic. He is pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science and aspires to work as a software engineer for flight operations.

Each student will receive $2,500 to help them earn degrees in STEM fields.

“CSUSM is extremely proud of these distinguished veterans for receiving the SDMAC Military Veteran Student of the Year Academic Scholarships,” said Patricia Reily, director of Veterans Services at CSUSM. “We look forward to seeing them graduate and pursue meaningful careers in the STEM fields.”

CSUSM in national rankings

• CSUSM has been ranked among the top universities in the nation for creating opportunities for students to improve their lives and the lives of their families. CSUSM was listed 52^nd out of nearly 1,400 universities in the Social Mobility Index (SMI) developed by PayScale and CollegeNET. The SMI measures the extent to which a college or university educates more economically disadvantaged students at lower tuition.

• CSUSM was ranked 45^th among Western colleges in Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” listing and 90^th for “Master’s Universities.” That’s five places higher on the West list and 54 spots higher on the Master’s list compared to last year. More than 200 universities were ranked on the West list and nearly 700 on the Master’s list.
• CSUSM was ranked 45^th in Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics 2018” for total bachelor’s degrees granted.

Undergrad research conference

CSUSM was selected to host the 2019 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research. The event, held in November each year, includes schools from throughout Southern California. The 2019 event will be the first held in San Diego County.

The conference aims to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the best research, scholarship and creative work of undergraduates in the region.

Kang’s book receives more honors

History professor S. Deborah Kang, who received two prestigious awards in the spring for her book, “The INS on the Line: Making Immigration Law on the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1917-1954,” has received four additional honors: She won the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians Book Prize; the Americo Paredes Book Award for Best Nonfiction Book on Chicano/a, Mexican American, and/or Latino/a Studies; the W. Turrentine Jackson Award from the Western History Association; and she was named a finalist for the Weber-Clements Book Prize.

Earlier this year, Kang received the Henry Adams Prize from the Society on History in the Federal Government and the Theodore Saloutos Book Award from the Immigration and Ethnic History Society.

Extended Learning dean receives Chancellor’s Award

Mike Schroder, dean of Extended Learning and associate vice president of International Programs, was recognized by the California State University system with the 2018-19 Chancellor’s Award for Administrator Excellence and Innovation through the Edward M. McAleer Jr. Excellence and Innovation Awards program, which honors outstanding contributions in support of CSU Continuing and Extended Education.

The chancellor’s award was presented on Oct. 10 at a CSU systemwide conference for Extended Learning.

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The idea was to do 22 pushups a day for 22 days, then challenge someone else to perform the same feat as part of a viral movement that ultimately attracted such celebrities as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Krasinski, Chris Pratt and Chris Evans. Why 22? The number came from an alarming 2012 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report that found that an average of 22 veterans a day commit suicide.  

So William, then a psychology major at Alliant University, took on the challenge with the pride and urgency you would expect of a retired Marine, especially one who has battled post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism and even contemplated suicide himself. He did his 22 pushups in 22 days and documented his experience on social media to raise awareness of the problem. But the process left him unsatisfied. 

“I noticed, as a veteran, that people still weren’t aware, and there wasn’t a lot of change coming that I could see,” William said. “So, I was like, ‘Maybe I should keep doing them every day, and it will remind me to be there for my fellow vets in their time of need.’ ” 

Twenty-two days of pushups soon became 50, then 100, then 500. He still hasn’t stopped. On Wednesday, William, now a second-year Master of Social Work student at Cal State San Marcos, did 22 pushups for the 745th consecutive day. 

“I plan to do it until I see the suicide numbers start to fall,” he said. “And even then I think I’ll still do it.” 

William has come to call his personal version of the challenge the Battle Buddy Check-In, a reference to the term for a partner assigned to a member of the military for assistance both in and out of combat. As often as possible, he tries to do his daily pushups with a group – the largest has been about 12-15 people – as a means of starting a conversation about veteran suicide or just to encourage them to be there for others, whether a veteran or not.  

During September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, William did pushups on the CSUSM campus multiple times – including in front of the Veterans Center – with faculty members, administrators and fellow students. He frequently videos the sessions and posts them to social media to bring attention to the cause. 

“I love the idea,” said Patricia Reily, director of CSUSM’s Veteran Services. “I think it is an excellent way to raise awareness about the veterans who die by suicide each day. And it is an excellent way to raise awareness about suicide in general. We have only begun to recognize how many people suffer from debilitating mental illness as a real and treatable illness.” 

Brian Wier, like William a Marine vet who started in the Master of Social Work program last year, twice has done 22 pushups with William and took on the challenge himself for September based on his friend’s videos and to keep focused on his work as an intern working in mental health at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. 

“William’s message and work is timely and important,” Brian said. “I am proud to be associated with him. He and I talk about this topic often, and we agree that even if just one person benefits from his message, then it was well worth the effort.” 

William grew up in Lewisburg, Tenn., which he describes as a “few-stoplights town” 50 miles south of Nashville. He was only 16 and had just started his junior year of high school in 2001 when terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center. He knew right then and there that he wanted to join the military, but he had to bide his time for almost two years. 

After he graduated, William enlisted in the Marines and was trained as a motor transport mechanic. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, for just over a year before being transferred to Camp Pendleton. In February 2006, he deployed to Al Taqaddum Air Base (known as TQ in military shorthand) in Iraq as part of the Combat Logistics Regiment 15, charged with base security. As the months went by, the regiment’s duties expanded, and William ended up seeing more of the horrors of war than he had anticipated.

“I was able to finally be a Marine, but I didn’t realize what I didn’t know until it was too late,” he said. “When you see death in a way that’s unexpected, it shakes you up. Our platoon didn’t lose anybody and I’m grateful for that, but other units weren’t so lucky. I was not prepared psychologically to process some of the stuff we had to do and that I saw and felt.

“It’s only later that it hits you, when things de-escalate and the memories come back and you re-experience the feelings. I’m talking about when you wake up in the middle of the night and you have cold sweats because you think someone is after you.”

William returned to Camp Pendleton after 13 months, and ghosts of Iraq and of his past accompanied him home. He’s the oldest son in a family where physical and emotional abuse and alcoholism cast a pall over his upbringing, and in the military he got into trouble for multiple alcohol-related incidents.

By the spring of 2007, he was drinking just to be able to fall asleep at night. After he finally chose to seek help, he was referred to outpatient counseling at Camp Pendleton, where he was diagnosed with both alcohol dependency and PTSD.

“It didn’t surprise me,” William said. “It validated my experience, like ‘No wonder I’m so messed up.’ I did have it pretty bad. I didn’t stop drinking; I just tried to manage it. I was taking two steps forward just to take five steps back.”

The situation finally came to a head that December. Four days after he was discharged from the Marines, William was working as a bartender for a catering company and had a few drinks on the job. On the drive home, his tire blew out, and his car crashed into a concrete median. He escaped serious injury, but it was a sobering experience.

“That night,” he said, “I decided I needed to stop drinking.”

He started taking classes at Grossmont College, then pursued a two-year certificate program in alcohol and drug studies at San Diego City College. In 2011, he found a job as a substance abuse counselor, and since 2015 has run his own practice, Refined Transitions, which specializes in substance abuse prevention and intervention services. He got married in April.

William says he has not had a drop of alcohol since that wakeup call more than a decade ago, and that his PTSD is “under management,” though it’s “something I live with every day.”

And so he does 22 pushups every day, because it helps him stay vigilant, both in terms of his own roiling emotions and those of the battle-scarred veterans whom he encounters in all walks of life.

“I have never attempted to take my own life,” he said. “I have never wanted to physically kill myself, but I have contemplated many times being better off dead because it would be so much less painful.

“With the pushups, I try to use them to motivate me to be there for someone else. By being there for someone else, it might help save a life. And it helps me, too.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

For many, that meant where they were stationed at the time. For Rodriguez, who was 14 years old when the 9/11 attacks occurred, the tragedy hit much closer.

“It took a long time for things to feel normal again after 9/11. And normal changed,” said Rodriguez, a communications and outreach specialist for Cal State San Marcos’ Veterans Services.

A New York native, Rodriguez was in class on Sept. 11, 2001 at the all-girls Catholic school she attended in the Bronx, about 15 miles from the World Trade Center.

This was before the proliferation of cellphones and news alerts at your fingertips. Rodriguez only knew something was amiss when, instead of the usual morning announcements and prayers, a voice on the loudspeakers directed students whose parents worked in Manhattan to go to the cafeteria.

Cafeteria workers had TVs on, and it was then that Rodriguez and her classmates saw that one of the towers at the World Trade Center was on fire. Then they saw the footage of an airplane hitting the tower.

“It didn’t even really sink in what was happening until we watched the second plane hit,” Rodriguez said. “And then they turned the TVs off.”

Students used landlines to try to contact their parents. Rodriguez couldn’t get through to her mother, continually getting a busy signal. She finally tried calling her grandmother. One of her cousins answered and said Rodriguez’s mom had called to say she was OK, and that Rodriguez should go pick up her younger sister from elementary school.

Rodriguez lived in the Bronx directly uptown from Manhattan and saw the plumes of smoke as she and her sister walked down the street toward her grandmother’s house. On an otherwise clear day, it looked like there was a dark cloud rising over Manhattan.

Rodriguez still didn’t know the extent of the attacks when she walked into her grandmother’s house. When her grandmother said, “They’re gone,” Rodriguez had no idea what she meant.

“The towers,” her grandmother said. “The towers are gone.”

“As she’s telling me, I’m looking at the TV and it’s just on replay, all the footage of the towers coming down,” Rodriguez said. “I just remember the paralyzing fear of ‘What just happened?’ That’s when she explained that it was a deliberate attack. She told me about the Pentagon and the other plane that went down in Pennsylvania. At 14 years old, there’s no precedent for that. The only way you can describe that is a fear of the unknown. We have no idea what’s happening in our country. Nothing feels safe at that point.”

A few hours after Rodriguez and her sister arrived, their mother finally walked in the door. The normal 35-minute commute from downtown Manhattan took nearly five hours with limited mass transit available.

“I just remember the relief when I saw her because, even at 14 years old, I understood that there were thousands of people who weren’t coming home to their kids,” Rodriguez said. “I remember walking home from my grandmother’s house and it was dead silence throughout the whole community. You could hear a pin drop the whole way home. What is normally the busiest city in this country was at a complete and utter standstill. It was like ‘The Twilight Zone.’

“My sister and I fell asleep with my mom that night watching the news. It was the first time where I didn’t feel safe. Part of my childhood was taken in that moment. I went to sleep worried for the first time in my life because I didn’t understand what was happening. In the days after, there was just the weight of this fog over the city of lifelessness.”

Each fall, CSUSM’s Veterans Services offers a Vet Net Ally workshop for faculty and staff to educate members of the University community about the needs and concerns of military service members and student veterans.

Members of Veterans Services share a little bit about themselves during the seminar, including their reasons for joining the military. Rodriguez tells attendees about growing up in New York. About the deep burning feeling she felt after 9/11. About the inability at age 14 to articulate or understand what that feeling meant. About how she experienced that sensation again three years later.

Rodriguez was glued to the TV when the Iraq war began in 2003. With a goal of becoming a history teacher, she was fascinated by what was occurring in the Middle East.

A year later, Rodriguez reconnected with one of her older cousins, Gene Juan, whom she hadn’t seen in more than a decade. She learned that he was in the Marines and had been in Iraq during the first year of the war.

Juan was stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Rodriguez’s mother sent her to the West Coast to ensure that her daughter would see Juan before he deployed again. At the end of a week-long visit, Juan asked his younger cousin what she was going to do next, with high school graduation just a few months away. She didn’t hesitate.

“I want to be a Marine,” she told him.

“Here I was three years later, 17 years old, when I recognized that the burning feeling that I felt when I was 14, watching the news and watching my city at a standstill, was patriotism,” Rodriguez said. “I was angry for my city, I was angry for my country. I was hurting and I was confused, but I knew something had to be done about it. He left on Dec. 5, and I enlisted on Dec. 28.”

Rodriguez served on active duty for eight years with an additional two years in the reserves. The transition from active duty to civilian life wasn’t easy, and she has embraced the opportunity in her role at CSUSM to help other military members make an easier transition.

Today, on the 17^th anniversary of 9/11, Rodriguez will reflect on the morning that changed her life. How the dream of being a history teacher turned into a need to serve her country. Never before had she witnessed the country rallying like it did in the days and weeks following 9/11.

“Now, it breaks my heart to see the division in this country,” she said. “On so many levels, but especially because I remember those profound days on and after 9/11 and the way this country came together to support one another and to mourn and then heal. The fact that it’s so quickly been forgotten is disappointing.

“I hope we get back to what it was – and I hope it doesn’t take another national disaster to get us there.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Stephen was recently recognized as a Cal State San Marcos Civility Champion and the Outstanding Senior Student of the Year for his contributions to the campus community and his commitment to serve.

“I am passionate about learning and sharing my story to inspire others,” Stephen said. “As a parent and first-generation college student, I share my story to influence diverse groups to continue their education and share their experience, because I believe that they too have a story that can change and empower the lives of others.”

An Oceanside native, Stephen attributes his drive to the little girl who changed his life forever – his daughter, Keira.

When Keira was born in 2008, Stephen knew he had to do something to better their lives – so he went back to high school and graduated with honors. Keira was barely 2 when he joined the Marine Corps. Stephen’s enlistment included two years at Camp Pendleton, which kept him close to home.

“Coming home was tough,” he said. “You changed, and so do the things at home. Your children do not remember who you are, and you sometimes ask yourself if you’re doing the right thing. I knew I was on a path to create stability for the future, but it hurt to be looked at as a stranger.”

After four years, Stephen transitioned out of the military and into college with the desire to be a present father and pursue a degree in social science. Shortly thereafter, Keira moved with her mother to Arizona.

“Of all my experiences, my daughter’s relocation had the biggest impact on my life,” he said.

Shaken by the void left by his daughter’s absence, while simultaneously transitioning from community college to CSUSM, Stephen decided he had to make the most of his time.

“I knew that I couldn’t give up and I knew I had to make sure I was creating a better me with the time I had, especially since my daughter was now living in a different state,” he said. “I wanted to validate my time through involvement and giving back to my community.”

In his first semester at CSUSM, he joined orientation team and began service learning at a foster home for girls. Then he became a peer mentor for other veterans on campus. Volunteering and giving back to his new community not only helped him find a sense of belonging, but also helped reduce anxiety of his daughter’s absence.

“In these organizations I could connect with people in similar positions and influence them,” he said. “I learned that transitions require sacrifices, but I also understood that overcoming the first steps in sacrificing is easier when you have someone who has completed the process and believes in you.”

Stephen became an advocate and mentor for people who are struggling in new transitions. He is now in two volunteer programs, one advocacy group, two professional development programs, a founding father of one fraternity and one academic honor society.

“I am now able to empower people from different social groups and different backgrounds,” he said. “I have love to give everybody.”

Stephen’s presence is a welcome energy among his fellow veteran students and staff.

“He exemplifies everything that is good about a father and veteran,” said Moses Maddox, Veterans Retention Counselor, Veterans Services. “His genuine dedication to his family, the communities he serves and his personal growth is contagious, and he is an inspiration to other veterans.”

As he moves on from CSUSM, Stephen encourages other veterans to use their experiences to influence others.

“Some veterans are scared, but the world needs their experience,” he said. “Once I took the first step out of my comfort zone, all my transitions became powerful tools for me.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“We are delighted to once again be ranked in the top 3 percent of the 941 colleges and universities in the country that were designated ‘military friendly,’ ” said Patricia Reily, director of CSUSM’s Veteran Services. “We not only make it our job to ensure that our military and veteran students are successful in college, we take it one step further to facilitate their transition into successful careers.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. For the first time, student survey data was taken into consideration for the designation. More than 1,400 schools participated in the survey.

The Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Victory Media with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.

Among the unique programs offered by CSUSM’s Veteran Services was the Energy System Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP), a workforce development program funded by the Office of Naval Research. The success of ESTEP served as a catalyst for Veterans To Energy Careers (VTEC).

Launched this year, VTEC is part of a Department of the Navy initiative to develop the nation’s STEM workforce with the leadership and experience of our military veterans. Powered by a grant from the Office of Naval Research, VTEC facilitates the transition of military veterans into sustainable energy careers through a collaboration between higher education, government and industry.

The VTEC program includes a combination of formal or technical education, basic career prep, internships, and/or fellowships based on the needs of each veteran for their desired career.

Transition is a stressful time for many veterans, with unique challenges and stressors that are uncommon to the general college population. The all-veteran VTEC team supports and mentors participants toward their individualized goals. CSUSM takes a holistic approach to the transitioning veteran to ensure they smoothly navigate various choke points veterans often encounter.

Learn more about CSUSM’s Veteran Services online.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 28-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

But Louis laughs off his hectic schedule.

“At the end of the day, I’m a student first,” he said. “I’m doing things I love. When I’m in class, I’m thinking how I can apply what I’m learning to real life.”

Louis certainly didn’t imagine his current calendar and responsibilities when he was growing up.

Louis was born in South Los Angeles, the youngest of six children. His mother died when he was 5 years old, and he and his siblings moved in with his aunt, who then relocated to Moreno Valley. Louis credits his childhood with teaching him independence, and he began to think about the future.

“It was cool to think about college, but I didn’t know for certain if I was going to go,” Louis said.

He was initially accepted to CSUSM, but after meeting a National Guard recruiter in high school he realized that the discipline of the military would help him prepare for college and beyond. He put his university plans on hold for a year and enlisted.

Just a few weeks after he graduated high school, Louis arrived at Fort Benning, Georgia, for boot camp, followed by ordinance school in Fort Lee, Virginia, where he trained as a mechanic.

“That’s where I got the best training of my life,” he said. “I was with such a diverse group of guys from different ages, socioeconomic classes and ethnicities. My military experience exposed me to different perspectives, which taught me a lot.”

Louis applied to CSUSM again, this time a little more prepared for the process, and moved to San Diego to begin connecting with resource offices and support services on campus while continuing to serve as a National Guard reservist. It wasn’t easy. Louis took a three-hour bus ride to get to CSUSM over the summer to complete math requirements and to get to know his campus advisers in Veteran Services and the Educational Opportunity Program.

Although Louis originally declared a pre-nursing major, introductory courses in the humanities led him to find his passion for Communication – one that bled outside of his academic interests to many other areas of his campus life.

Louis moved into campus housing, making friends and campus connections everywhere he went. As one of the first Jamba Juice employees in the newly opened University Student Union(USU), he got to know peers involved in leadership in the many centers and organization housed in the USU. These connections opened his eyes to the opportunity for leadership and involvement.

In Louis’ junior year, a close friend recruited him to help bring a historically black fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, to campus. Though he didn’t think Greek life was for him, he began to volunteer with the organization.

“You don’t need letters to help people who need it,” he said. “But when I saw what brothers were doing, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. And I knew we could make a bigger impact together.”

This same time, his good friend Tiffaney Boyd, then-president of Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), encouraged Louis to find an involvement opportunity, but he resisted.

“I’m just here to get my degree,” he said.

His friends were persistent, and he decided to run as the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS) representative for ASI. Once elected, he sought ways to represent diverse student voices.

Louis was called on to serve and sit on committees across campus as a student representative – and the list is long: Graduation Initiative, Chief Diversity Officer hiring committee, Student Philanthropy Council, Black Faculty Staff Association, Peer Mentoring Program (as mentee and mentor), helping to host the TEDx event and speaking to the Board of Trustees.

As CHABSS representative, Louis had a front-row seat to see how ASI worked and realized he could serve this campus in an even greater way as ASI president.

“As ASI president, you really have to stop thinking about just yourself and really think of the best interest of the whole student body,” said Louis, who was elected to serve the 2017-2018 term as ASI president.

It has been a busy year for ASI, opening the 24/5 space in partnership with the Library, increasing the distribution and growing the Cougar Pantry program, passing a resolution for Project Rebound, as well as working on sustainability projects. Of all his accomplishments, one that he’s most proud of is making inclusive changes that allowed more student access to leadership positions.

“Everything I do is because it’s a passion,” he said.

His warm demeanor and endearing smile makes him friends wherever he goes.

“As ASI President, Louis is very thoughtful on how decisions will affect all students and very open to understanding differing views and opinions,” said Annie Macias, Interim Executive Director of ASI. “But the first thing you notice about Louis is his great smile and warm demeanor. You can often find him walking across campus, shaking hands with almost every student, calling them by name and listening to some shared personal or academic issue.”

Louis stays on top of it all through personal discipline, which he credits to both his military experience and the guidance he has received from his mentors in Omega Psi Phi.

So what’s next after he graduates this spring?

“I think first, I’m going to take a nap,” he said, laughing. “Going to officer candidacy school is an option, as well as getting another degree. I know I want to end up back in school, I want to help historically underrepresented students – especially young African American men – and I want to find success, so I can put myself in a position to continue to help others.”

Media Contact

Katie Chappell, Digital Communications Specialist

kchappell@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Michael, who was on active duty for 12 years, did everything from offer to let them go home early to rearranging schedules.

But Michael never took classes himself during that time.

“I look back on it now and see that I justified it because I was always busy taking care of Marine Corps responsibilities,” Michael said. “But there were plenty of people in the Marines who were able to work on their degrees and education even while they were out in the field.”

Not only did Michael take steps to remedy that, he will cross the Cal State San Marcos commencement stage in May with a bachelor’s in communication.

“Michael has surmounted barriers that would likely seem insurmountable to most people,” said Patricia Reily, director of CSUSM’s Veterans Services. “From childhood setbacks that resulted from family instability to leading Marines in some of the most challenging combat situations our military has faced in the past 50 years, Michael has proven time and again to be indomitable.”

School was always a challenge, Michael said, as far back as elementary school when he prepared for spelling tests by writing each word up to 100 times just to get a C.

After high school, Michael worked in manufacturing factories for a few years before joining the Marines. The practical experience he gained in the military proved a far easier learning experience than the time he spent in a classroom.

“Anything that I was able to do with my hands or creating things, it was like, ‘OK, this makes sense,’ ” he said. “I was able to take on things that I didn’t fully understand yet and then actually teach them. That’s how I learned better – by teaching.

“But you can’t teach your way to a bachelor’s.”

When Michael left active duty to take care of his two sons, he remained connected to the military by joining the Marine Corps Reserve. He presented at Transition Assistance Program classes to help Marines who were leaving active duty. When he was done with the program he found that his competition for jobs on base had a decided advantage – they had a degree.

Michael enrolled at MiraCosta College with plans to study business, but his college career got off to a rocky start.

“That first semester was a nightmare,” he said, noting that he failed his first class.

Michael persevered to earn his associate’s in social and behavioral science. While at MiraCosta he met Vicki Hernandez, CSUSM’s assistant director of Veterans Services, who recommended that he speak with John Segoria, director of CSUSM’s Disability Support Services. Michael credits Segoria for helping to guide him toward the communication major, which proved a better fit for his career goals than business administration.

“Michael returned to school after his military service was completed and had to really learn how to function in an academic environment with a multitude of service-connected disabilities,” Segoria said. “Michael worked very hard to compensate for the impact of his newly acquired disabilities and is on track to finish his degree this semester.

“Michael’s academic success is a testament to his never-quit attitude and his strong desire to reach his goal of completing his bachelor’s degree.”

Michael has a long list of accomplishments on the way to earning his degree.

In November, he helped organize the inaugural TEDxCSUSM event, which featured eight guest speakers tackling some of today’s leading issues. The event sold out and one presentation has had more than 62,000 views online.

Michael also started his own film production company, Never Forgotten Media, which focuses on creating videos for businesses and nonprofits.

At 42 years old, he knows how important it is that he pursued higher education. A father of five, Michael’s oldest son is now 15. It was just a few years ago that he told his dad that he was going to attend college right after high school.

“I sort of grabbed ahold of that and knew that I wasn’t only doing this for me,” Michael said, “but for my kids and the people I want to help.

“I see value in being able to help veterans by telling them about my experience and saying, ‘I know you can do it, because I did it.’ ”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

“It’s challenging, but it’s not unbearable,” said Catalina, who will graduate from Cal State San Marcos in May with a bachelor’s in speech-language pathology. 

Being a full-time student is just one aspect of Catalina’s busy life. She is raising three children – 16- and 11-year-old daughters and a 9-year-old son. She is in the Navy Reserves, eligible to be called to active duty any time now that the three-year exemption since her last active tour in Afghanistan ended in 2014. 

Then there is the long list of school-related activities, including the Student Veterans Organization and the National Student Speech Language & Hearing Association (NSSLHA). 

And, for good measure, she’s a PTA member and volunteers every other Wednesday at Tri-City Medical Center. 

Catalina served in the Marines for nearly nine years before stepping away to focus on her family. Missing the military, Catalina eventually joined the Navy Reserves. It was while serving in Afghanistan that she learned about speech therapy from a co-worker and began giving serious thought to earning her bachelor’s. 

Catalina enrolled at MiraCosta College upon her return from deployment and is part of the first cohort in CSUSM’s speech-language pathology bachelor’s program. 

“Throughout her undergraduate studies in speech-language pathology at CSUSM, Cat has contributed to the overall excellence of both the department and its students,” said Rachel Nortz, a lecturer in CSUSM’s speech-language pathology department and the chapter adviser for NSSLHA. 

“Cat holds the position of undergraduate student liaison for the NSSLHA chapter at CSUSM and through this position she has encouraged new membership involvement from the student body. Being a veteran herself, she has already given back to her country and she now wants to continue that journey by becoming a speech-language pathologist.” 

Catalina plans to continue her education after receiving her bachelor’s, setting her sights on obtaining a doctorate in audiology, which focuses on hearing, balance and related disorders. 

“My command is really good about working with me, especially knowing that I’m a full-time student,” she said. “One of my senior chiefs really looks out for his people. That’s what I like about the military. You have those people who really stand out and take care of you. That’s how I want to be. That’s what’s kept me in the military – good people.” 

CSUSM campus members joined student veterans and dignitaries in Markstein Hall for a ceremony followed by a reception on the deck of the Veterans Center.

“Our dedication to our nation’s military is an integral part of our University’s mission to serve the diverse population of our region,” CSUSM President Karen Haynes said in her remarks. “We take great pride in supporting those who have served and their dependents; in aiding their transition from a tight-knit community in the military to a tight-knit community here at CSUSM; and in focusing on each individual and positioning them for success now and beyond graduation.”

Haynes also noted that a day earlier the California State University Board of Trustees approved the renaming of the Veterans Center to the Epstein Family Veterans Center.

The renaming of the Veterans Center follows a pledge made earlier this fall from the Epstein Family Foundation of $1 million in support of CSUSM’s Veterans Services. It is the most significant gift in support of the University’s student veterans since the donation of the center building in 2014. The gift will provide funds to physically expand the existing Veterans Center and provide an endowment to fund critical programs to support veterans and their families.

Nearly $500,000 of the gift from the Epsteins will go toward support of programming, support services and scholarships. While a groundbreaking date for the expansion has not been set, the project is due to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2018.

The Veterans Day Observance included keynote remarks from Command Master Chief German Lira and Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.

CSUSM computer science student Stephen Walker, who is the vice president of CSUSM’s Student Veterans Organization, served as master of ceremonies. Lira presented the Student Veterans Organization with a certificate of plank ownership from the newly commissioned, San Diego-based USS Rafael Peralta.

Another student veteran event will take place Friday night at CSUSM’s men’s basketball season opener, which is dedicated to veterans and the military. Loeber scholarships will be awarded to seven CSUSM student veterans. Bill and Suzanne Loeber, who married in July, asked their family and friends to donate to a CSUSM veterans scholarship in lieu of wedding gifts.

The Veterans Center is a place where military-affiliated students can receive support in achieving their academic and career goals with services tailored to their unique needs. Staff assist students in navigating the admissions process, accessing VA and California education benefits, registering for courses, finding campus resources and getting involved in leadership and social activities.

CSUSM President Karen Haynes will be speaking, along with Command Master Chief German Lira of the USS Rafael Peralta and Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.

CSUSM computer science student Stephen Walker, who is the vice president of the CSUSM Student Veterans Organization, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The CSUSM Student Veterans Organization will be presented with a certificate of plank ownership from the newly commissioned, San Diego-based USS Rafael Peralta at the Veterans Day Observance.

There will be a reception on the deck of the Veterans Center following the Veterans Day Observance ceremony.

Additionally, at Friday’s men’s basketball season opener, which is dedicated to veterans and the military, seven student veterans will be presented with the Loeber Scholarship Award. Bill and Suzanne Loeber, who married in July, asked their family and friends to donate to a CSUSM veterans scholarship in lieu of wedding gifts.

About Veterans Services

The Veterans Services mission is to holistically engage military-connected students to achieve "Grad Day +1" goals. The department is committed to being thought-leaders in higher education and service to military- connected students with a high-touch, whole-person approach.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 27-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

That’s not surprising given that the number of student veterans the University serves has increased by 400 percent since 2006.

“Simply put, we are bursting at the seams,” said Patricia Reily, director of the Veterans Center. “We pride ourselves on being ‘high touch’ — that is to say, we get to know our student veterans as individuals so that we can facilitate their success. But it is a challenge to be ‘high touch’ with our current space constraints.”

Those space constraints will soon be a thing of the past thanks to a $1 million gift from the Epstein Family Foundation in support of the Veterans Center. It is the most significant gift in support of CSUSM’s student veterans since the donation of the center building in 2014.

Not only will the gift from the Epsteins allow for a significant physical expansion of the Veterans Center, it will also position it as a national model for advancing higher education, programming and services to military-affiliated students and their dependents.

“This gift from the Epstein family is truly the difference between accomplishing dreams and merely imagining them,” CSUSM President Karen Haynes said. “Their philanthropy is helping to move our University and our region forward.”

The Epsteins’ gift is providing funds to physically expand the existing Veterans Center and provide an endowment to fund critical programs to support veterans and their families. While a groundbreaking date for the expansion has not been set, the project is due to be completed by Dec. 31, 2018.

Nearly $500,000 of the gift will go toward support of programming, support services and scholarships.

“Cal State San Marcos has a great tradition of helping student veterans and their families,” Daniel J. Epstein said. “I’m pleased that this gift will enhance the Veterans Center’s ability to support the men and women who have served our country.”

The Epstein family hopes their gift will serve as an incentive to other philanthropists to join in their efforts to support our veterans and their families.

The Veterans Center building opened in 2014, replacing a smaller facility that opened in Craven Hall in 2008. The Veterans Center was originally donated by a group of 60 interdisciplinary students at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. They built the structure, formally known as EcoHabit, for the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. After the competition, the students decided to donate EcoHabit to CSUSM in support of the University’s significant veteran population.

The Veterans Center is a place where military-affiliated students can receive support in achieving their academic and career goals with services tailored to their unique needs. Staff assist students in navigating the admissions process, accessing GI benefits, registering for courses, finding campus resources and getting involved in leadership and social activities.

“The generous grant from the Epstein family will allow us to double the size of our Veterans Center, making it a one-stop shop for benefits processing, advising and professional development,” Reily said. “It also will provide a home away from home for our military-connected students — an oasis on campus where they can socialize as well as study in a comfortable, safe environment. To say that we are over the moon as a result of this gift is an understatement.”

“This gift from the Epstein family is truly the difference between accomplishing dreams and merely imagining them,” CSUSM President Karen Haynes said. “Their philanthropy is helping to move our university and our region forward.”

The Epsteins’ gift will provide funds to physically expand the existing Veterans Center and provide an endowment to fund critical programs to support veterans and their families.

“The generous grant from the Epstein family will allow us to double the size of our Veterans Center, making it a one-stop shop for benefits processing, advising and professional development,” said Patricia Reily, director of the Veterans Center. “It also will provide a home away from home for our military-connected students — an oasis on campus where they can socialize as well as study in a comfortable, safe environment. To say that we are over the moon as a result of this gift is an understatement.”

The Veterans Center is a place where military-affiliated students can receive support in achieving their academic and career goals with services tailored to their unique needs. Staff assist students in navigating the admissions process, accessing GI benefits, registering for courses, finding campus resources and getting involved in leadership and social activities.

“Cal State San Marcos has a great tradition of helping student veterans and their families,” Daniel J. Epstein said. “I’m pleased that this gift will enhance the Veterans Center’s ability to support the men and women who have served our country.”

Nearly $500,000 of the gift from the Epsteins will go toward support of programming, support services and scholarships.

The Veterans Center building opened in 2014, replacing a smaller facility that opened in 2008 in CSUSM’s Craven Hall. Staff is spread across campus due to limited space in the Veterans Center, which is less than 1,000 square feet.

“Simply put, we are bursting at the seams,” Reily said. “The number of student veterans served at California State University San Marcos has increased by 400 percent since 2006. We pride ourselves on being ‘high touch’ — that is to say, we get to know our student veterans as individuals so that we can facilitate their success. But it is a challenge to be ‘high touch’ with our current space constraints.”

The gift from the Epsteins will alleviate those constraints while positioning CSUSM’s Veterans Center as a national model for advancing higher education, programming and services to military-affiliated students and their dependents.

While a groundbreaking date for the expansion has not been set, the project is due to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2018.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 27-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

For Jason Sneddon, it was chatting with Reily at an Operation Connect event. For Ankit Panchal, it was simply waking up from a nap at the right moment.

In both cases, chance meetings with Reily led to internships through the Energy System Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP).

Sneddon is one of 32 current participants in ESTEP while Panchal is among 58 students who have completed the program.

ESTEP, which is funded through the Office of Naval Research, provides paid internship opportunities for veterans majoring in STEM fields. CSUSM manages the program, which helps student veterans gain professional experience while participating in alternative energy research for the Navy.

“Our vision for our veterans is crossing the commencement stage with that diploma in one hand and that great job offer in the other hand,” said Reily, CSUSM’s director of Veterans Services. “That’s what we aspire to for every single one of our veterans.”

ESTEP internships are available for student veterans who attend universities within geographical proximity to San Diego County, Ventura County, Monterey and Oahu, Hawaii.

CSUSM’s ESTEP management team includes four veterans: Ericka Korb, project coordinator; Moses Maddox, veterans retention counselor; Priscilla Juan, outreach and communications specialist; and Jamie Rangel, administrative support.

“We really get to know our veterans, and that makes a big difference because they have unique needs,” Reily said.

Reily said the program was started to help the Department of Defense in its goal to employ veterans and wounded warriors as well as fill the shortage of professionals in STEM careers.

The ESTEP team works to overcome misperceptions that some student veterans have as they transition to civilian life.

Juan said that Student Veterans of America estimates that 30 percent of student veterans are pursuing STEM majors, a number she believes would be higher if transitioning veterans had more confidence in how their military training translates to STEM careers.

Juan pointed to helicopter mechanics as one example. Their skills translate well to engineering, but some might be intimidated by the prospect of trying to earn an engineering degree.

“The challenge we have now is changing that mentality right from the inception,” Juan said. “If you’ve been a helicopter mechanic for eight years, you have the experience and you have the practical knowledge. Now you just need the formal training.”

Maddox also plays a large role in helping student veterans realize the myriad options available to them. He tries to help veterans look beyond the pragmatic approach that many take toward post-military schooling and careers.

“A lot of veterans don’t see what transition really means,” Maddox said, “and it’s an opportunity to reinvent yourself and go be whatever you want to be.”

Another common barrier to a STEM education and career is being eliminated thanks to the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017. Also known as the Forever GI Bill, it recently passed through the House of Representatives and Senate with unanimous bipartisan support and is expected to be signed by President Trump.

The Forever GI Bill eliminates the 15-year time limit that veterans previously had to use their GI Bill benefits after separating from the military. The expanded bill also includes extended benefits for STEM majors, who may need more time to complete graduation requirements.

“The Forever GI Bill will help tremendously,” Juan said. “We found veterans are either intimidated by the curriculum itself in pursing the degree or intimidated by incurring debt. Now the concern about debt is gone.”

Sneddon has been an ESTEP intern for more than a year, working in research and development at SPAWAR. He works about 20 hours each week when school is in session and full time during the summer.

After serving four years in the Marines, Sneddon planned to move home to Texas where he had a job lined up with a government contractor. However, the company didn’t win the contract and Sneddon decided to enroll at MiraCosta before transferring to CSUSM as a computer science major.

When Sneddon interviewed for the SPAWAR internship, he was asked about his experience with various programming languages.

“I said I had no experience to every single one,” Sneddon said. “But I told him I’d be willing to learn and I’m a pretty quick learner. He ended up needing someone with basic programming skills, so it worked out and I’ve learned a lot along the way.

“The ESTEP program is a holistic program. Not only do they help you with an internship and getting on-the-job experience before you graduate, but if I need any help with the VA or have questions about the GI Bill or just a general question, I can go to them and they’ll help me.”

Panchal was working overnight shifts as a security guard while attending CSUSM full time during the day when he had his chance meeting with Reily. When she found out that he was a computer science major, she said, “How about an internship where you can actually be working in your field?”

Panchal spent two semesters working on a team at SPAWAR on energy-efficiency research. The experience proved invaluable as he landed a job offer from Northrop Grumman last November – seven months before he graduated from CSUSM.

“For people who are hesitant about applying, just do it,” said Panchal, who served four years in the Marines. “It doesn’t mean you have to take an internship, but it opens up the door and gives you options. It’s a great résumé-builder and a great opportunity.”

After visiting the museum, Diggs suggested that the three of them meet the following day to work on writing their first paragraph together.

Instead, the students were in Diggs’ office by lunch time the very day of the trip, each bringing along a paragraph they had written about their favorite part of the museum.

“When you’re making it meaningful for the kids, the reluctant learners, the student with an IEP, everybody – the project just brought so many kids together to shine,” said Diggs, a school-based resource teacher at Stuart Mesa, a K-8 school on Camp Pendleton.

“Voices of Military Children” was a collaboration between the San Marcos Writing Project and Stuart Mesa. It quickly grew into a multimedia project culminating in a red-carpet event at the school on May 3.

“You could really feel the pride from those kids, the pride they have in their parents and what they do every day,” said Laurie Stowell, a professor in Cal State San Marcos’ School of Education and the director of the San Marcos Writing Project. “They don’t take it for granted.”

The San Marcos Writing Project is part of the National Writing Project, a professional development network of teachers aiming to improve student-writing achievement. Diggs has participated in the San Marcos Writing Project for a number of years and attended its leadership institute in 2015.

Diggs said “Voices of Military Children” originally set out to have the students do some writing and oral histories, but soon transitioned to more journal writing.

“It was such a creative project that was inclusive,” said Diggs, who will be a 2017-19 CSUSM Distinguished Teacher in Residence. “It really allows access for all the kids.”

The project quickly expanded to include a film component after Diggs saw an episode of “Bulldog News” produced by a class taught by Jim Riggenbach, a science teacher at Stuart Mesa.

“Irene thought it would be a perfect match, and it really is,” Riggenbach said. “There are so many literacy skills taught through video.”

The videos include first-graders reading their own words in a salute to their parents in the military as well as documentary-style video features on Camp Pendleton landmarks such as the Historic Ranch House.

Four of the films have been nominated for Innovative Video in Education (iVIE) Awards. The 16th Annual iVIE Awards & Student Film Festival is June 3 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

“Voices of Military Children” was funded through a grant from Ruth Westreich, which allowed Diggs and Riggenbach to purchase equipment for the film work and covered the cost of printing about 500 copies of an anthology of the students’ writing.

Stuart Mesa students worked on the project throughout the year and Riggenbach proposed a red-carpet event to celebrate their success. About 250 people attended, including Patricia Prado-Olmos, CSUSM’s vice president of community engagement; Janet Powell, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services; Pat Stall, director of the School of Education; and Marilyn Huerta, CEHHS communications specialist.

Brigadier General Kevin J. Killea and Sgt. Major Julio E. Meza also attended as did Robin Hutton, author of the book “Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse.” Hutton allowed Stuart Mesa students to use her book and photos as a resource for one of the videos they produced about the Reckless monument on Camp Pendleton. It was one of the four films nominated for an iVIE Award, along with “My Voice, My American,” “The Ranch House” and “LCAC.”

Students shared their writing and film work at the red-carpet event, speaking in front of the large audience and having their videos screened.

“I was so proud of them,” Diggs said. “The first graders are mostly writing about their dad or mom being a hero. But the middle schoolers, there’s a lot of loss in their stories. I really think that can apply to a lot of immigrant kids. Just getting children to connect that way and share their voice and that experience is important.”

Riggenbach said they are planning to do the project again at Stuart Mesa and he would love to see it expand to other schools.

“It’s project-based learning to the max where all different levels of students have a chance to shine,” he said.

Added Diggs: “People need to tell their stories. We have so many people from different cultures here. Maybe this is a pilot to remind people to tell their stories, build community and remember to share a bit of humanity with one another.”

The Observance is being dedicated to Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a Mexico City native who grew up in San Diego. Sgt. Peralta sacrificed his life to save fellow Marines by using his body to cover a grenade in Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2004.

The USS Rafael Peralta, a destroyer named for Sgt. Peralta, will be commissioned in July at Naval Air Station North Island.

Thursday’s Observance is at noon in front of the Veterans Center on CSUSM’s campus followed by a reception on the deck.

Attendees will have the opportunity to honor a service member or veteran who has died with dog tags to be placed on the wall of the Veterans Center by making a $5 donation.

The Student Veterans Organization will donate this year’s Dog Tag Memorial proceeds to the commissioning of the USS Rafael Peralta to welcome the destroyer and its crew to San Diego this summer.

What: Cal State San Marcos Memorial Day Observance dedicated to Sgt. Rafael Peralta

When: Noon, Thursday, May 11

Where: Veterans Center, California State University San Marcos

Cost: Free

Parking: For driving directions, campus map and parking fees, visit the CSUSM Parking Guide.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 27-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls over 15,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

That’s what Elliott Powell remembered feeling the moment he stepped into his classroom on his first day of teaching at San Marcos Middle School just two years ago. And it’s not like he hadn’t been in stressful situations before.

The 26-year Navy veteran had commanded four warships over the course of his military career, successfully leading them through a multitude of training exercises, operational readiness inspections and Battle Group Operations all over the world.

During Operation Desert Storm, Powell commanded the USS Leader (MSO 490), that destroyed 16 mines in the Northern Persian Gulf. During Operation Sharp Guard, he conducted embargo operations off the coast of Bosnia while in command of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG-49).

While serving in the Navy, Powell was the first African-American director of the White House Situation Room, overseeing the 24/7 operation of the President’s Operations Center and participating in over 50 presidential trips on Air Force One as the National Security Advisory’s representative from 1999 to 2001 during the Clinton and Bush presidencies.

After retiring from the Navy in 2004, Elliott joined the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where he spearheaded the development of the Operations Coordination Group that helped improve information sharing between the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Following his departure from CBP, he served as the director of the Federal Consulting Group where he led a group of government consultants that provided executive coaching, organizational development, performance measurement and customer satisfaction training to federal agencies throughout the Government.

But following this notable military and civil service career, Powell still wasn’t done—he had one thing that needed to do.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” he said. “Throughout my life I have always considered myself a teacher. But that being said, I must admit to a bit of trepidation when I decided to take the plunge and make teaching my second career.”

After relocating from Washington, D.C., to San Marcos with his wife, who had retired from the Pentagon, to be closer to family, Powell enrolled in CSUSM’s School of Education middle-level credential program.

“I thought about what it’s like to be a middle school student, and I decided that if I can catch them now and get them on the right path, then I can truly make a difference,” he said.”

An Uncommon Commitment

As a student at CSUSM, Powell became known as a mentor and role model for his peers, leading him to be named, in 2014, the Outstanding Graduate for the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

“Elliott was inquisitive and insightful,” said Erika Daniels, CSUSM professor of literacy education in his nomination letter. “He was always respectful and mindful of others’ opinions, helping to create a learning environment that operationalized the School of Education’s mission statement focusing on social justice and educational equity.”

If the U.S. military was his first calling, teaching quickly became his second. Following graduation from CSUSM, Powell was hired to teach seventh-grade English Language Arts and eighth-grade U.S. History at San Marcos Middle School.

And if that wasn’t enough, he now also teaches in the school’s after-hours AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, serves as the assistant coach of the junior varsity volleyball team and advises the Model United Nations club.

“It is amazing to me that after a very successful career in the Navy, he was willing to start again as a novice in a new career,” said Laurie Stowell, CSUSM professor of literacy. “He has the best attitude and just does what needs to be done to be the best teacher he can be.”

But even during his time in the military, Powell had a strong commitment to education. While directing the Situation Room, he ensured that his senior officers had the opportunity to earn their master’s degrees. He commanded three ships that received special recognition from Navy officials for their participation in the Navy’s Adopt-a-School program. Powell even created a Shipboard Learning Center to provide his crewmembers with a place to study and learn.

Powell sees a lot of parallels between teaching middle school and commanding a warship.

“Both have a lot to do with people skills and getting along with folks,” he said. “In the Navy, I hardly ever ordered people around because I worked to build trust.”

Respect, Remember, Achieve: A Motto for Education

The motto of Powell’s classroom at San Marcos Middle School is “Respect. Remember. Achieve.”—the words are boldly displayed above the whiteboard—and he makes it a point to greet students daily with a handshake, eye contact and a personal greeting.

He believes that teaching is 40 percent attending to the student and engaging them as a whole person and 60 percent actually imparting content.

“The challenge in teaching is to get the kids to be mindful of education,” Powell said. “You can’t just lecture to them. You have to be intentional, engage them, build a relationship and share your story. If you have an engaged student, you don’t have one with behavioral issues.

“At this age, they think it’s cool to be stupid, but in my classroom it’s cool to be smart. I tell them it’s OK to make mistakes. Here, each student gets an opportunity to be successful.

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has been named to Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2016 list. This distinction recognizes and rewards colleges across the nation that demonstrate a commitment to providing educational opportunities to America’s veterans.

CSUSM is ranked No. 61 out of 125 four-year universities. It is the fourth-highest rated university in California.

Military Times, the organization comprising Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times, evaluated the many factors that make a university a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. Their detailed survey requires schools to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to military and veteran students and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus.

Eleven percent of CSUSM’s student population self-identifies as a veteran, active-duty military personnel, or a dependent—the highest number per capita in the 23-campus California State University system. CSUSM offers a wide variety of support services to veterans and military-connected students, including unlimited use of the Veteran’s Center and dedicated professional development and career counseling programs.

“Our secret is that we are a high-touch University,” said Veterans Services Director Patricia Reily. “We have small classes and we pride ourselves on knowing who our veterans are—they are not just numbers. As we grow, we are committed to keeping that high-touch concept for our entire student body.”

Reily, who has 20 years of experience as an active-duty Naval officer, coordinates and develops veteran student programs and outreach at CSUSM, assisting in the University’s efforts to serve each veteran who attends or aspires to attend CSUSM.

“Education is a great way for them to transition,” said Reily. “They have earned these benefits and the whole purpose is to facilitate that transition to their next chapter and gain a sustainable career.”

CSUSM’s veteran-friendly approach to higher education is also supported by such initiatives as:

• “Operation Connect” with the North San Diego Business Chamber. This program helps facilitate transitioning veterans to businesses in the region by creating a career enhancing social network through complimentary professional development training. Completion of the workshop will enable the veterans to become a chamber member and is assigned a mentor.

• Office of Naval Research Energy Systems Technology and Evaluation Program (ESTEP) partnership. A program intended to connect veteran students studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (also known as the STEM fields) with internships in Navy organizations using advanced technologies.

• Wyakin Warrior Foundation Partnership. Serving the most severely wounded or injured veterans with a mentoring program designed to facilitate academic success and job placement after graduation.

• VET NET Ally Workshops. A faculty and staff awareness program designed to train and educate members of CSUSM about the academic and career needs of veteran students on campus.

For more information on CSUSM’s Veterans Center and the services it offers, visit: http://www.csusm.edu/veterans/