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.”
Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools Awards designation were evaluated
using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,800 schools
participated in the 2023-2024 survey, 530 schools earned award level designations
in Gold, Silver or Bronze. For their leading practices, outcomes and effective programs,
250 schools were selected for “Gold” award status. Methodology, criteria and weightings
were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council
of independent leaders in higher education. Retention, graduation, job placement,
financial aid and military student support were weighted to determine the Military
Friendly designation.
Mesa College previously was awarded Gold status in 2022-2023 and Silver status for
the 2021-2022 school year. The college provides a vast array of services specifically
geared towards assisting veterans and helping their families succeed. Programs and
services include financial aid and assistance with the GI Bill, as well as dedicated
academic counselors. Mesa College also has an on-campus Veterans Success Center where
veterans can gather for community in addition to being able to access resources, such
as tutoring. Mesa College also offers multiple scholarships and an internship program
for veterans.
Although the Silver status marks City College’s first-time being ranked as a Military
Friendly school, the college has a long-standing commitment to providing military
members with a dedicated Veterans Service Center focused on academics, community and
wellness, plus a wide range of associate degrees and certificate programs to help
in the return to civilian life.
In addition to its the Military Friendly-ranked colleges, SDCCD’s San Diego Miramar
College offers a variety of general education courses aboard Marine Corps Air Station
Miramar (MCAS) and the college recently received $2.5 million for additional support
for student veterans including the renovation of the college’s Veterans Resource Center.
Also, adult learners can use their VA Education Benefits at the San Diego College
of Continuing Education for the Automotive Technician, Auto Body and Paint Technician,
and Shielded Metal Arc Welding certificate programs.
More than 5,000 veterans, active-duty military and military dependents are enrolled
in the district. SDCCD student veterans and active-duty resources can be found at
sdccd.edu/students/veterans-active-duty
As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego
Community College District serves approximately 80,000 students annually through three
two-year colleges and the San Diego College of Continuing Education. San Diego City
College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College, offer associate degrees
and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year
colleges and entry-level jobs. Mesa College also offers a bachelor’s degree in Health
Information Management. The San Diego College of Continuing Education offers noncredit
adult education at seven campuses throughout San Diego.
Photo: SDCCD student veterans (SDCCD file photo).
Tags: latest news, Veteran Affairs, Military, Military Friendly
