Comfortable
space offered to
those who served
By Amy Foster / Reporter
The Del Mar College Veterans Services Office’s motto is, “Proudly Serving Those Who Served with Pride!” Del Mar took one more step toward achieving this objective this semester with the opening of an additional Veterans Center on the East Campus in the Harvin Center, Room 207.
The Veterans Center is equipped with a lounge area, study area, mini-kitchen and several computers with full ADA accessibility to veterans and active duty students. The center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Many veterans returning to college face unique challenges and many face a difficult transition to civilian life. DMC is prepared to help transition soldiers to college life. The staff is knowledgeable and equipped to handle any question that may arise.
The center is managed by Kate King, who served seven years in the Army. King and her team will help veterans find their credentials, help print out their Hazelwood Act and show them how to use the website to find out what benefits they qualify for.
During the 2011-12 academic year, the DMC Veterans Services Office served more than 1,000 students and the number continues to rise. As a result, a new veterans center was essential.
Randall Bullard, a Coast Guard veteran, recently started attending school for the first time in eight years. The center has been a tremendous help to him as he adapts to college life, he said.
“A month ago I was suiting up getting ready to jump in the water and now a month later I’m carrying a backpack and attending 
college,” Bullard said.
A recent study done by the St. Louis Post met with four veterans attending college and all said they had felt isolated and had difficulty adjusting. They had trouble coping with campus culture or relating to younger students. This is the purpose of a veterans center, to provide comfort to veterans and active duty students. Veterans can connect with one another, swap stories, find a common interest or just share in the camaraderie with their peers.
Del Mar was named a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs in 2013. The goal is to provide top-notch service to veterans and active duty military members. Veterans also have access to tutors at the new center, or they can just relax and pass the time between classes in a relaxing atmosphere.
