Bernie Somers (not Bernie Sanders!) is a member of the Mt. SAC Veterans Resource Center Team, serving as one of two full-time academic counselors. Bernie has served as a counselor in higher education for eleven years and joined Mt. SAC in 2015. Bernie is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a proud husband, and loving father of two.

After his service, Bernie attended Mt. San Jacinto Community College and then transferred to California State University, San Bernardino, where he completed his undergraduate work. He then attended the University of Redlands here he earned a Master's degree in Counseling. Shortly after attaining his graduate degree in counseling, he attended California State University, Northridge where he worked on a postgraduate certificate in Career Counseling. Finally, over the summer of 2020 he completed all the requirements for his Doctoral degree at California State University, Fullerton. Congrats Dr. Somers!

Bernie is available to assist all military-connected students with academic, career, and personal/social counseling.

All Mt. SAC VRC Counselors are available to meet virtually (via phone and/or video appointments). Make your appointment to check-in today!

Did you know every Friday the VRC Team hosts virtual walk-ins from 8am-12pm? We welcome all VRC students in need of assistance or guidance to stop in and chat with a VRC staff member.

We are here to help with:

• GI Bill document submission status
• VA representative referrals
• Financial Aid file information and file updates
• Scholarship help
• Referrals to on- and off-campus services
• Human contact :)
• Share your victories
• And more!

Join us to say Hi - we miss you!

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93762231156

Zoom Meeting ID: 937 6223 1156

Check out student Veteran Marcos Luevanos' first ever painting he shared with us at last week's virtual walk-in session below.

We know that current times are tough and uncertain, so we hope to provide our Mounties with food resources during this time of need. In order to provide these resources to our students while practicing safety standards due to COVID-19, we will prepare the food bags for students to come and pick up through a Drive-Thru process. We will strictly enforce our policy for the food pantry service only to current Mt. SAC students.

• Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
• Time: 10:00am-1:00pm (or while supplies last)
• Location: Student Parking "Lot A" by Edinger Way (located behind Building 12). All vehicles must enter Parking Lot A at La Puente Dr.

Current MT. SAC ID Card is RECOMMENDED – Students without a Mt. SAC ID Card will need to provide proof of Regular Picture ID. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Make an Appointment for the Mountie Fresh Food Pantry

Please join the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a one of a kind Woman Veteran Series experience hosted by Deputy Secretary Pamela Powers with closing remarks by the VA’s Chief Veterans Experience Officer, Dr. Lynda Davis.

This session will cover:

• Resources for Appeals
• Mental Health
• Military Sexual Trauma and
• Supporting Military Spouses

Tuesday, Sep 22

1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT

Click here for more information.

Come join the Equity Center for a 2-day event where we will learn tools and skills to succeed in an online environment.

· Monday September 21st 5:00pm-7:00pm: We will be joined by surprise speakers and go over a quick virtual tour of our Student Services website to help you access the support you need.

· Tuesday September 22nd 5:00pm-7:00pm: We will be hosting a Mt. SAC student and faculty panel where they will share their tips on succeeding in your online classes as well as hear what questions you may have. We will also be joined by our Basic Needs and Student Health teams to go over how to schedule appointments and learn more about their services.

Both nights will have time to build community with one another and to share what thoughts and questions you may have.

To access the Zoom links for both nights visit: bit.ly/ECstudentsuccess

If you need disability related accommodations or services, such as Sign Language interpreting, note taking, closed captioning, etc., please contact us at least five days in advance at equitycenter@mtsac.edu

Goodwill recognizes the difficulties faced by individuals and the support needed to further education. The Goodwill Southern California Veterans Grant was established to assist veterans who demonstrate a commitment towards reaching their career goal. The recipient is selected based on his/her essay, academic record, involvement in school and community service, and military service.

Join Mt. SAC's VRC Team for

Assistance with your Application on 9/30:

Submission Advisement@1pm-4pm

Eligibility - Applicants must be:

• U.S. citizen or Resident alien;
• Active duty in the uniformed military services; OR Honorably discharged military veteran (including Reservists and National Guard personnel); OR Disabled veteran; OR Spouse or child of a veteran
• Currently enrolled and attending either a two-year or four-year accredited college or university in LA County.
• Enrolled part-time or full-time in an eligible degree program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

Applications are due September 30th!

Submit an application today!

VRC Staff are available to assist you remotely Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. Stay in the know and follow us on Mt. SAC's VRC Instagram!

Email: veterans@mtsac.edu
Website: https://www.mtsac.edu/veterans/
Phone: (909) 274-4520