Bakersfield College to build new Veterans Resource Center
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Like many other student veterans, for Elaine Morano, the transition from active duty to civilian life has, at times, been challenging.
But thanks to new state money, Bakersfield College is set to make that transition a little bit easier when it opens a new Veterans Resource Center next fall.
“Honestly, I think it’s great because you’re able to interact with people who have come from that background," Morano said. "So, you’re able to talk to them about things that someone who’s never enlisted wouldn’t really know about.”
The new center will replace the existing facility and will help student veterans by providing physical, mental and academic support.
“Anything that they need, they get here. And it really is a matter of helping them get to their goal, no matter what that may be,” Paul Beckworth, faculty director of Veteran Services at the college, said.
Andrew Perales is another student veteran at Bakersfield College.
He believes that beyond the services the center will provide, it’s the sense of camaraderie it creates that is one of its most important features.
“That has caused me to build friendships here on campus that I still have to this day. So, it’s really good to have that group association,” Perales said.
And Morano says that feeling of inclusivity is what the Veterans Center is all about.
“Everybody here is great, they’re awesome, super helpful," she said. "So, any vets looking to come back to school, I would say to come.”
