From Adam McManamy, Veteran Services Coordinator, Santiago Canyon College: “For a newer PAVE campus trying to establish a presence among the student veteran community, having a USMC Retired MSgt who both quietly demands an undeniable respect from his peers at the same time as setting clear, defined standards for the community with a foundation of empathy. His leadership in guiding our Peer Advisors has been integral to our development. Eric is finishing his B.A. in Business Administration in a few weeks and will begin his M.B.A. program in January.

With his absolutely crammed academic schedule, amazing full-time working wife, son in soccer and karate, and daughter in soccer and volleyball, one might be skeptical about his ability or motivation to focus on his duties as our Team Leader while working as a VA Workstudy. But there need be no skepticism for our MSgt, when it comes to supporting a fellow veteran and his collective team here in the VRC he knows only how to lead. The team here at Santiago Canyon College is extremely fortunate, he is outstanding.”

From Eric Mejia: “My favorite part about being a Team Leader is the opportunity to continue serving our veteran community. I am passionate about helping veterans because I know firsthand what they’re going through, and being able to give back in this way is incredibly rewarding. I also enjoy mentoring my team members and fostering a shared commitment to empowering SCC veterans, which creates a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose. I am most proud of the positive impact my team has made in supporting our transitioning SCC veterans during such a critical time in their lives. Together, we’ve provided personalized guidance and created a welcoming environment where our Veterans feel understood and supported. As a veteran myself, I understand the challenges they face, and it’s been incredibly fulfilling to see our efforts help them navigate academic and personal hurdles, enabling them to achieve their goals.”