Press Release

Media Advisory For More Information Contact: Catherine Mooney Dir., Admissions & Records/Delta College Troops to College (209) 954-6128 cmooney@deltacollege.edu

Delta College’s Veteran Resource Center Now Open!
Come support our troops at Delta’s Veteran Resource Center!

    Delta College’s Veteran Resource Center hosted its grand opening ceremony on Monday, February 22, at Budd 310. Congressman Jerry McNerney, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and an avid supporter of veterans’ rights and services, was a guest speaker at the event.
    Located in Budd 310, the Veteran Resource Center is part of the “Troops to College Initiative.”  Troops to College was created by Gov. Schwarzenegger to attract more veterans to public colleges by making them more veteran-friendly. Delta’s Veteran Resource Center provides computers, a quiet study area for veterans to do homework, tutors, and a lounge to meet other veterans and volunteer staff.
    “Research has shown us that vets need other vets,” Delta College Troops to College Coordinator and Director of Admissions and Records, Catherine Mooney said. “This center allows them to meet in one place, ask questions and access resources that help with their educational goals and needs. Whether it’s housing for a veteran or how to extend benefits, this is the place where veterans who are working on their education can come and get answers.”
    Operation Enduring Freedom veteran Albert Revives said, "Having a veteran center means there's a place where I can de-stress, study, and share camaraderie with other vets who understand me.  This is a great step for the Delta College community to acknowledge what veterans have done and are still doing. I really love the fact that people are looking out for those who are disabled, especially veterans."
    The Resource Center also hosts meetings and workshops for the Veteran Student Alliance. Catherine Mooney points out, “Before we had the Veteran Resource Center, our meetings where anywhere and everywhere. We had to constantly adjust our schedules to the availability of space, but now we have one place for everything.”
    Although the center is a place for veterans to find resources and services related to Delta College, admissions and registration will continue to be held in the DeRicco Student Services Building. “We have staff members that are dedicated to work with veterans in each branch of the system,” Mooney said. “We have a person in financial aid, counseling and registration. They are all team members of Troops to College.”
    California wanted Delta College to give first priority to anyone who was returning from recent duty, but Delta College decided to expand it so any veteran, regardless if they are coming back from Iraq or served during Vietnam, have priority.
    During the 2009 Fall Semester, Delta had about 200 vets enrolled; during this Spring Semester, the total has more than doubled to 473. Mooney thinks this trend will continue. The Veteran Resource Center, as well as Troops to College, is funded entirely by Delta College without state or federal aid.
     “Veterans are a growing population,” said Mooney. “I hope we can make these services permanent with additional state or federal funding. The fact that Delta College decided to take action and make veterans a priority shows its commitment to provide resources and support services for their education. That’s why our Veteran Resource Center is here.”

      Congressman Jerry McNerney congratulates Superintendent/President Dr. Raul Rodriguez and
      Delta College staff for opening the Veteran Resource Center.

                     Congressman Jerry McNerney and local veterans at the grand opening of
                     Delta's Veteran Resource Center.


                                                                          ###