An anonymous donor gifted Citrus College’s Veterans Success Center $26,500 that will be used to help veterans achieve their academic and professional goals.
The donation was given to Citrus by a first-time donor whose goal was to help support veterans and their families, a Citrus College press release said.
Citrus College is known for being a veteran-friendly school. It has been recognized for this achievement 11 years in a row, the press release said.
“We are grateful for this donation, which will allow Citrus College to enhance the student veteran experience further by scaling up plans and accelerating timelines to implement an invaluable student veteran peer mentor programs,” Vice President of Student Services Richard Rams said.
The launch of the student veteran peer mentor program will assist veterans who are entering college for the first time, the press release said. Current veteran students at Citrus College will be trained to assist the incoming veterans with their needs.
The program will “provide access to resources that support the completion of their academic and professional goals,” the press release said.
Through the peer mentor program, mentors and mentees work together to create a smooth transition into the college experience, the press release said.
Mentors will be taught “leadership skills, new knowledge related to coping skills and strategies and an expanded career network,” the press release said.
The goal of the program is for mentees to have a smooth transition into the academic environment, be exposed to transfer opportunities and other educational support, the press release said.
Director of the Veteran Success Center Maria D. Buffo was contacted twice between May 28 and June 1 but did not respond to requests for an interview.
Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri said in the release that Citrus College takes its veteran program seriously, and the men and women who have bravely served this country deserve to be given the resources they need to succeed in college.
