SAN DIEGO, CA (MAY 16, 2024) — National University (NU), — a distinguished nonprofit Minority Serving Institution that serves more than 130,000 learners annually through its degree and professional training programs and San Diego Mesa College (Mesa) — one of the largest community colleges in California, serving 20,000 students per year and offering over 200 associate degree and certificate programs today announce a renewed educational partnership to further advance a higher educational commitment to increase educational attainment opportunities for nontraditional, working and military students in San Diego.

San Diego Mesa College and San Diego City College and have earned Gold and Silver status respectively as Military Friendly schools for 2023-2024. Mesa College maintained its Gold status from the previous year and City College was awarded its inaugural Silver status. “The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) and our colleges are honored to serve active-duty military, veterans, and their families with accessible higher education programs which recognize and value their military experience,” said SDCCD Acting Chancellor Gregory Smith. “The prestigious Military Friendly school recognition is the result of the extraordinary work our faculty, classified professionals, and administrators at San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College do each day to serve our military communities successfully.”

San Diego, CA – On March 7, 2022, San Diego Mesa College was awarded Gold status for the 2022-2023 school year from the Military Friendly® Company for being a military friendly school. Mesa was previously awarded the Silver status for the 2021-2022 school year. Over 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey, of which 665 schools earned awards level designations in Gold, Silver, and Bronze. 282 of these participants were selected for “Gold” award status for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs. Of the 282 Gold status colleges, only ten are in California, and Mesa is one of three in San Diego. As a fully accredited, comprehensive community college committed to access, success, and equity, San Diego Mesa College currently serves over 4,000 veterans and their families.

San Diego Mesa College has earned a Silver Designation as a Military Friendly School. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning the designation. As a fully accredited, comprehensive community college committed to access, success, and equity, Mesa College currently serves over 4,000 veterans and their families.