Congresswoman Matsui Speaks at Grand Opening of Sacramento State's Veterans Success Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 10, 2011
CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Speaks at Grand Opening of Sacramento State's Veterans Success Center
CA Last night, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) spoke at the grand opening of California State University, Sacramento's new Veterans Success Center (VSC). The university's Veterans Success Program helps veteran students who are applying, currently enrolled, or have graduated achieve success at the university transition to civilian life. The VSC will serve as a veterans lounge and study area, and as offices for Veterans Success Program staff.
It is important that we take care of our veterans at all stages of their lives, whether it is entering college or joining the civilian workforce, said Congresswoman Matsui. They have done a great service to our country and we must now do them a service by supporting them in their academic and career endeavors. The new center will allow the Sacramento State Veterans Success Program to better provide needed resources and services for their veterans, and ensure that no one is left behind.
Jeff Weston, CSUS Veterans Success Center Director, reflected on how far the program has come. I had a small cubicle inside the admissions department with a work-study assistant, said Weston. We barely had time to meet and greet GIs looking to get a college education while processing their paperwork, let alone do the follow-up for their successful transition. We hope to generate even more support for our program and the services we provide. A case in point is the new Recreation Therapy program for vets. Those with post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems respond to the connection they make through the program.
Sacramento State has a student veteran population active duty, veteran, and dependent of over 1,300 students. Veterans have been a successful part of Sacramento State's student body and have averaged a 3.11 GPA and an 85% first-year retention rate, both of which are higher than that of the overall population.
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