Stay Connected

Meet the Staff

The Military and Veterans Programs is responsible for the administration of all US Department of Veteran Affairs education benefits processing and is dedicated to making the educational experience second to none for our military-connected students attending USD. The program is managed by the Veteran Student Services Coordinator, houses the VA Benefits Coordinator, two Graduate Assistants, and VA student workers. We are the central place for resources, involvement, networking, and the Student Veterans Organization. We also work with other offices on campus and in the community to connect students with appropriate services and advice.

At this time, our office is working virtually. For current information on the university's protocol during COVID-19, please refer to the USD COVID-19 Campus Action Plan.

Veteran Student Services Coordinator

Amanda Etter

The Veteran Student Services Coordinator serves as a single point of contact for military-connected students at USD in order to connect them with both the campus and community resources available to them. The Veteran Student Services Coordinator provides both current and prospective students with the information and support needed to successfully plan their future and eventually integrate with the USD community.

Hahn University Center, Room 225
(619) 260-5945
aetter@sandiego.edu

V.A. Benefit Coordinator

Nelson Chase

The V.A. Benefits Coordinator certifies student enrollment to the Department of Veterans Affairs so that educational benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill can be processed and awarded. The Veterans Benefit Coordinator also advises incoming students and current students with their educational benefits. USD participates in the Yellow Ribbon program (see our Benefits page).

Hahn University Center, Room 225
(619) 260-4600x2032
nchase@sandiego.edu

Graduate Assistant: Outreach and Events Specialist

Jemefer Angela Cruz

The Outreach and Events Specialist assists the Veteran Student Service Coordinator with providing information to new and incoming students about the University and how to access their educational benefits. The Outreach and Event Specialist also plans events and is in charge of the social media, website, and promotional materials.

Hahn University Center, Room 225
(619) 260-7483
jemeferangelacruz@sandiego.edu

Military-Connected Hub Coordinator

Rob Knecht

The Military-Connected Hub Coordinator facilitates all Military-Connected Hub (MCH) related meetings, cross-campus communications, and stakeholder connections. The MCH coordinator is also responsible for ensuring data is collected about the military-connected students on campus as well as relevant data in the community.

Hahn University Center, Room 225
(619) 260-7483
rknecht@sandiego.edu

VA Representative Office Hours

Ryan Morris the Vet Success on-campus representative from the Dept of Veteran Affairs visits campus monthly to meet with military-connected students to discuss individual benefits. Currently, he is working remotely and can be reached via email at Ryan.morris377@va.gov

Office Hours With MVP Ambassadors

Spring 2021 Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 10am- 2pm & 5pm-7pm PST
Friday: 10am-2pm PST

Student ambassadors and staff are available Monday through Friday to assist anyone with questions about prospective student information, our program's services, resources, and VA education benefits processing. Our program also hosts virtual events through this Zoom link.

Instructions:

Use direct Zoom link
Open Zoom and enter meeting ID: 92 859 681 006
or call 1-301-715-8592

Student Veteran Organization

The Student Veteran Organization (SVO) is open to everyone including veterans of all services, their dependents and advocates of the veteran population. The SVO supports and promotes veterans and veteran issues and provides peer support through a solid network of individuals.

To join the SVO, go to our SVO ToreroOrgs site.

Join the SVO Facebook group to stay connected.

Be informed by liking and following the Military & Veterans Program page on Facebook.

SVO Events

HERO Club

HERO: Honor Empower Remember Overcome. The HERO Club is a student organization at USD committed to raising awareness for service members that were killed in action.

To join the HERO Club, go to their HERO Club ToreroOrgs site.

Join the HERO Club Facebook group to stay connected.