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 ).
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.
HERO Club
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.