Veterans Day 2023
Honoring those who served.
"Go Beyond Thanks"
November 10, 2023
Dear California Community Colleges Colleagues:
To our active-duty military, military veterans, military reservists and dependents
– thank you for safeguarding our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
Community colleges have a key role in supporting student veterans as they transition
to civilian life. With an estimated 1.8 million military veterans living in California,
many are looking to our community colleges for debt-free education and skills training.
Each year, approximately 55,000 veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents
enroll at a California community college, and can access the many services we provide,
including veterans resource centers, priority registration, tutoring, food pantries,
credit for prior learning and more.
Our commitment to returning veterans is not limited to providing academic programs
and career training, but also includes assisting with the often-difficult transition
from military service to civilian life. Vision 2030 calls on our colleges to meet
our students where they are – physically, psychologically, and financially. That can
mean on military bases, in the community, as well as on campus, providing support
services and working to create a sense of belonging as veterans progress on their
educational journey to completing a college credential.
The CCC Chancellor’s Office is advancing two Vision 2030 Demonstration Projects that
focus on our student veterans – Credit for Prior Learning that offers college credits
for experiences in the military and Mental Health and Wellness services for our student
veterans.
Because Veterans Day this year falls on a Saturday, the California Community Colleges
and its campuses will observe the holiday on Friday, Nov 10th.
For this Veterans Day, the American Legion with USAA offers suggestions for how we
can “Go Beyond Thanks.” Let’s take a moment to quietly reflect on the contributions
and sacrifices of veterans, and to consider how we can all find ways to serve those
who serve our country.
Sincerely,
Sonya
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