When Steven Stenersen arrived at Santiago Canyon College in early 2015, he had just completed nine years of service with the Marine Corps and was looking for a fresh start on a new career path.
He chose SCC for its location, tucked away in the hills, away from the hustle and bustle of Orange County. After deciding to becoming a history professor, Stenersen began to unravel the often complicated and confusing journey of veterans’ benefits.
Stenersen hit several roadblocks in that journey. In search of help, he found himself at SCC’s Veterans Resource Center, where staff and peers provide veterans, active duty, reservists and their dependents and spouses assistance in navigating and accessing their VA education benefits. Not only did he find help for himself, but he quickly became a go-to in providing help to others who experienced similar struggles.
“My first semester, I was very standoffish, and I didn’t want to be around anybody,” Stenersen said. “But by going (to the VRC), I kind of got a little acclimated and adjusted. … And that got me engaged with the office. Then I started the Veterans Club (Student Veterans of America – SVA) here on campus to help not only myself but other vets get acclimated to transitioning out of the military.”
During his time at SCC, Stenersen continued to get more involved in serving his veteran peers through SVA and VRC and found an inclusive space and a strong community of support as he pursued his education goals.
“At SCC, I was a person,” Stenersen said. “It didn’t matter if it was a dean, a manager or even the president, for example. He knew who I was, and he knew my story because he had engaged with me. It was very welcoming and very much like a family.”
After graduating from SCC in 2017 with three associate degrees, Stenersen transferred to Cal State Long Beach where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a focus on Latin America. During a visit back at SCC, he was offered a work-study position in the VRC which eventually turned into his current full-time position as a Student Services Specialist and peer mentor. While this is not the path he expected, he is happy to be paying it forward.
“I didn’t think I’d work at a college doing something like this, but what I like about it is what they do for vets and what they did for me,” Stenersen said. “Transition out of the military, as similar as it is for everybody, what happened here is that it wasn’t a one size fits all. When the vets come here, it’s very individualized. That was the reason I took the job. I saw what they did, and I saw how they were growing the program.”
The VRC is celebrating its 11th year on SCC’s campus and is in its third year as a standalone program, located in Building A206. The VRC currently serves approximately 625 veterans, dependents and spouses, which includes 15% growth from year to year, with more than half coming to campus from outside of Orange County.
Statistics show that over 55% of veterans make education their first stop after leaving the service, and SCC’s Veterans Resource Center is prepared to help them not only seek their education benefits but other veterans’ services as well, such as VA work study, disability benefits and support from community partners in providing emergency grants.
“I think there’s a misconception, and I’d like to put out there that all veterans don’t get everything,” said SCC Assistant Dean for Student Services LaKyshia Perez. “Once they’re done with their service, it’s just kind of figure it out, and we’re here to help them figure that piece out. I think that’s one of the biggest things that we do. Most of our veterans are dependent 100% on their education benefits.”
Stenersen’s unique experience and skill set are a perfect fit for assisting fellow vets and allow him to connect with them as someone who has been in their shoes and has walked their path.
“They’re the most humble folks that you will run into,” said Perez of SCC’s veterans. “So having peers like Steven and the other folks that we have in the office, they can have a different conversation and say, this is what we’re going to give you. And that works really well in our office.”
Stenersen has been integral in developing the mentorship program that assists veterans, their spouses and dependents with accessing available services, and he is excited to be part of an effort that makes a difference in the lives of fellow vets, just as the VRC did for him.
“I have found that this job is essentially similar to the same calling I had for joining (the VRC),” Stenersen said. “That’s why I’m still here. And that’s why I do what I do.”
