Building Stronger Pathways for California’s Student Veterans
Veterans, educators, policymakers, and community leaders gathered to explore innovative strategies for expanding educational opportunities and strengthening support systems for California’s veteran and military-connected students as they transition from military service to higher education and the workforce at the 13th Annual California Community Colleges Veterans Summit in Indian Wells.
Led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and supported by the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC), the theme of this year’s summit, held from June 15-17, 2026, was Desert Muster: Refresh, Realign, Reimagine.
“Often, the brave men and women who served our country are the ones left behind in higher education. The Veterans Summit brings together program experts to ensure veterans can access college, receive support navigating their military benefits, and find pathways to successful civilian careers with sustainable wages. Many of the professionals who lead Veterans Resource Centers on community college campuses are veterans themselves and understand the unique journey of student veterans. Sometimes it can be difficult for those who have experienced deployment and military service to ask for help in the classroom. That is why we are here, to ensure they have the support and resources they need to succeed.”
— Manuel Baca, Board Member, FoundationCCC, and Co-Founder, Veterans Summit
Baca understands the student veteran experience firsthand. A former U.S. Marine and graduate and professor emeritus of political science at Rio Hondo College, he has dedicated his career to building stronger support networks for veterans pursuing higher education. As a member of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Co-Chair of the Veterans Committee, Baca ensured funding and direction to increase CCC veterans resource centers from approximately eight in 2009 to more than 90 statewide.
Throughout the three-day symposium, attendees from the California Community Colleges, California State University, and University of California systems participated in engaging workshops, keynote presentations from industry experts, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration among military service practitioners and advocates. Speakers included education liaison representatives from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs as well as Veterans Specialist Heather McClenahen, and Vice Chancellor Gina Browne from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and Dylan Bender, Director of Veterans Services for Irvine Valley College. Sessions focused on sharing best practices, strengthening partnerships, and identifying actionable solutions that support veterans through enrollment, academic achievement, graduation, and workforce transition.
Bender delivered the summit’s closing keynote titled, The Warrior Adaptation, and a workshop, Designing the Next Mission: A Model for Veteran Purpose and Future Vision.
“With nearly a million veterans pursuing postsecondary education nationwide, higher education represents one of the greatest opportunities to improve veteran transition outcomes. Colleges are not simply preparing veterans for careers; they are helping them build new identities, relationships, and futures. The work being done across California demonstrates what is possible when veterans are provided intentional support and meaningful connection. The impact extends far beyond graduation.” — Dylan Bender, Director of Veterans Services for Irvine Valley College
FoundationCCC works closely with the Chancellor’s Office and partners across the state to provide direct support for military members, veterans, and their families, including emergency financial assistance for first-generation student veterans. With an estimated 1.8 million veterans living in California, many turn to the state’s community colleges for affordable, debt-free education and workforce training as they transition to civilian life. Each year, approximately 55,000 veterans, active-duty service members, and military dependents are enrolled in California Community Colleges.
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