Student veterans are no longer a rare population on campus with more than 4,500 enrolled as of Fall 2025 according to SDSU Analytics. Student veteran support and needs have skyrocketed with a higher demand and needs following events such as the October 2025 government shutdown according to SDSU Analytics.

As the population grows, so does the demand for services ranging from benefits certification to academic transition support. School Certifying Official, Carrina Carreno, at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center said that the increase has created both opportunities for community and challenges for maintaining adequate staffing and resources.

According to Carreno, the student veteran population reached roughly 5,000 students as of Fall 2025, compared to the 4,000 back in early 2020.

As the number of student veterans continues to grow, the demand for these services has increased as well. Carreno says supporting thousands of military-connected students requires constant expansion of resources, staffing and programming. 

“Increase in population has affected us with not having enough staff to service our population,” said Carreno. “We only have a handful of SCO’s to cater to a massive population. Whereas, the VA recommends we have 1 SCO for every 125 students, which is about 4 times above that currently.”

After 20 years serving in the Navy, Kelly Sorber was nervous about a potentially lonely experience with returning to college post-service as an adult. Instead, this history masters student found a warm and inviting community within the San Diego State Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, where other post-service adults could swap advice and stories as they navigate college and the use of their benefits.

Sorber has spent her time at SDSU completing both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center.“ I have seen the veteran population grow so much and I am proud to be a student of San Diego State with such an incredible military and veteran program that consistently cares about its students,” said Sorber.

In September 2025, the JABVC started operations on a temporary remodeling project which forced them into a new condensed location. The JABVC was still able to take phone calls and meet students in a temporary location for questions and concerns.

The center had its reopening ceremony on Feb. 26, opening its study spaces, snacks, coffee and resting spots for its military connected students.

When asked their favorite thing about the center, Dylan Beyer, a SDSU student veteran said, “It’s a quiet place to study other than the library, it’s nice to come here to relax and talk to other veterans.” 

Staff members assist thousands of military-connected students each semester with navigating chapter benefits, academic advising and the transition from military to civilian life. 

Many students rely on education benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can cover tuition, housing and other academic expenses.

Jose Esparza, lead military outreach for the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, works directly with prospective and current military-connected students, helping them navigate admissions, understand their education benefits and connect with campus resources before they arrive at SDSU.

“In my work, I have advocated for local community colleges to be a part of certain events, specifically outreach events with the Navy that have been on a semi quarter year basis,” said Esparza.

The work study program is currently made up of over 20 student workers from the student veteran population, including both veterans and dependents who are currently using military education benefits. 

Ariana Garcia, a JABVC work study student, said, “I think the increase in population is difficult on the work studies and SCO because of the lack of resources/manpower. However, I understand we don’t have the budget to have that many SCOs.  I can only imagine how stressful it is to stay on top of certifications, meetings and also help students when needed.”