Mt. SAC VRC Weekly Update
November 2nd - November 6th
VRC Counselor Highlight - Luis EcheverriaNewberry
As a first-generation military service member, Luis EcheverriaNewberry joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old. During his 12 years as a Marine, he was sent to Norway for training as well as 11 countries in South America. In 2003, Luis was deployed for a combat tour to the Middle East as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While on active duty, he earned an Associate's Degree in General Studies from Central Texas College in 2011. After leaving the military, Luis transferred to California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services in 2013. During his time at CSULA, Luis worked on behalf of fellow student veterans organizing campus commemorations, including those held on Memorial Day. As an undergraduate, Luis served as an advocate for fellow Veterans and other first-generation college students – allowing him to continue with his personal commitment to serve others.
Luis went on to complete a Master’s of Science in Counseling with the option in Rehabilitation, Career Counseling, and Clinical Counseling from CSULA. Prior to joining Mt. SAC’s Veterans Resource Center, Luis served as a Veterans Counselor at El Camino College and a Readjustment Counseling Therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the East Los Angeles Vets Center. Additionally, Luis brings a wealth of knowledge to Mt. SAC as a former VA employee for the Los Angeles Regional Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services Office.
As a current Mt. SAC VRC Counselor, Luis is available to assist military-connected students with:
· Choosing a major and/or goal
· Learning strategies to be successful in your classes
· Creating a GI Bill-specific Mountie Academic Plan (MAP)
· General personal, academic and transfer advising
Luis joined Mt. SAC in 2019 and as a Professor in Counseling, also teaches “Introduction to College” courses. He is a dedicated father of two, loves to travel, and attend live concerts and soccer matches. Luis is an amazing addition to the Mt. SAC Veterans Resource CenterTeam.
Winter is Coming!
REMINDERS FOR GI BILL© Students:
- All classes marked as "Transitioned Online" will be processed as residential given the section was planned as on-campus but changed from resident training to online training due to Covid-19.
- Only classes on your current Ed plan (MAP) on file with the Mt. SAC VRC are approved for certification.
- A VRC Counselor will be available for walk-ins ALL DAY 8am-7pm on the first day of registration.
- Student must submit certification documents PRIOR to the College's "Drop for Non-Payment" deadline avoid being dropped for non-payment.
- Every semester - students must submit the following to the Mt. SAC VRC to continue benefit use:
1. Request for Active Educational Benefits Form *NEW DOC*
2. Copy of Schedule/Receipt (#11 on Student Tab in portal)
- For instructions on submitting your documents, click here.
Any questions, feel free to visit the VRC Team during registration week or email us. The VRC Team will be on-line to assist with registration and document submission instructions all week as follows:
Mountie Fresh Drive-Thru Food Pantry
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, November 4 , 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! Please be prepared to show your MT. SAC ID card or regular picture ID by holding it up against the closed car window when you are asked. This practice is essential to ensure limited resources are provided to Mt. SAC students and to ensure SAFETY for all.
Limit: One (1) Bag per Student.
****MANDATORY SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE ENFORCED****
Survey to help CA Community COlleges better support their veteran students!
A message from the CA Community College's Chancellor's Office:
We hope you will consider taking approximately 15 minutes to complete this survey about the experiences and needs of veteran students at California Community Colleges (CCCs). The goal of this survey is to identify how CCCs around the state can better serve their veteran population. This survey asks about a wide variety of topics including physical and mental health needs of veterans as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please note that if you are in any need of immediate support regarding your mental health, you can always reach out to Jazmin Vargas, VRC Coordinator, at jvargas@mtsac.edu or (909) 274-4520.
***Please click here to access the survey***
CSU Apply Day for Veterans
A representative from CSU, Fullerton will be here to answer questions and walk you through the process.
NOVEMBER 6, 2020
11:00 AM
ONLINE via Zoom
Register in advance for this meeting:
Make Your appointment today for Your REQUIRED Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) Check-In MEeting
The Mt. SAC VRC is currently offering online services to military-connected students during this time of temporary remote/online instruction. Online Vet Counseling services provide students the opportunity to interact with a Vet Counselor in an online environment.
8th Annual 2020 Bootstraps to Briefcases Veteran's Conference
Are you a veteran looking to start your own business, or already have your business running but need some expertise? Then attend online the “Bootstraps to Briefcases” 8th Annual Louisiana Small Business Veterans’ Conference hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center online.
PURPOSE: - Provide training and assistance to the small business community - Provide information on financial assistance available to veterans - Provide strategic growth strategies.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sba.gov/events/1675205.
Mt. SAC VETERANS AMONG US PROJECT - CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
The “Veterans Among Us” project will highlight members of the Mt. SAC Family (students, staff, faculty, administrators and alumni) who have served or are currently serving in the United States Military. The Project will culminate with a display to be unveiled during Mt. SAC Veterans Week.
Participants of the VETERANS AMONG US project are being asked to complete the sign-up form by the end of the day on November 9th, including the submission of one (1) photo taken during your time of service.
To participate, complete the
Veterans Among Us Participant Form
by Monday, November 9th!
For more information or to submit items, please contact the Mt. SAC Veterans Resource Center at 909-274-4520 or via email at veterans@mtsac.edu.
Virtual Bulletin Board
Important Upcoming Dates
October 1st-November 30th (EXTENDED to 12/4)
California State University (CSU) Transfer Application window
November 4th
Mt. SAC Winter 2020 Registration Begins
November 11th
Mt. SAC CLOSED in observance of Veterans Day
November 1st-November 30th
University of California (UC) Transfer Application window
Helpful VRC Links
VRC On-Line Events This Week
$$ MONEY MONDAYS!!!!!!!!!!! VRC WALK-INS W/FINANCIAL AID LIAISON VIA ZOOM
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/99345538875
Meeting ID: 993 4553 8875
Monday, Nov 2, 2020, 02:00 PM
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Virtual Front Desk Walk-Ins
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93762231156
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 6223 1156
Call-In Number: (669) 900-6833
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Virtual Front Desk Walk-Ins
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93762231156
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 6223 1156
Call-In Number: (669) 900-6833
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020, 07:00 AM
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Virtual Walk-in Hours w/VA Representative (VSOC-Maura Kazden)
Meeting number (access code): 199 694 0881
Meeting password: 3gpYvhJ33f@
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
+14043971596,,1996940881## USA Toll Number
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Virtual Front-Desk Walk-ins
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93762231156
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 6223 1156
Call-In Number: (669) 900-6833
Thursday, Nov 5, 2020, 08:00 AM
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VRC VIRTUAL FRONT DESK WALK-INS
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93762231156
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 6223 1156
Call-In Number: (669) 900-6833
Friday, Nov 6, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Contact Us
Email: veterans@mtsac.edu
Website: https://www.mtsac.edu/veterans/
Phone: (909) 274-4520