FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santiago Canyon College Named a 2026 Top Veteran School by U.S. Veterans Magazine
SCC is Orange County's only community college recognized among more than 400 institutions nationwide
ORANGE, Calif. - Santiago Canyon College (SCC), part of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD), has been named a 2026 Top Veteran School by U.S. Veterans Magazine, recognizing its commitment to helping military veterans, transitioning service members and their families achieve their educational and career goals.
SCC is the only community college in Orange County among more than 400 colleges and universities nationwide recognized in the publication's November 2026 issue.
The annual recognition highlights institutions demonstrating a commitment to supporting veterans through educational benefits, academic counseling, career resources and programs designed to help military-connected students succeed.
"This recognition reflects our commitment to ensuring that veterans and military-connected students have the support, resources and opportunities they need to succeed," said LaKyshia Perez, Ed.D., associate dean of Student Services at Santiago Canyon College. "Our veterans bring valuable experience, leadership and perspectives to our campus. We are proud to help them build on those strengths as they pursue their educational goals and prepare for the next chapter of their lives."
SCC supports veteran and military-connected students through its Veterans Resource Center (VRC), which assists veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and eligible family members as they transition to college life. The VRC provides assistance with VA educational benefits, dedicated academic counseling, priority registration and access to educational resources, including textbooks, school supplies and laptop loans. Veteran academic counselors help students develop educational plans, explore transfer opportunities and stay on track toward completing their degrees or certificates.
Beyond academic assistance, SCC promotes a supportive campus environment through its Student Veterans of America chapter, which provides opportunities for veterans and military-connected students to connect, advocate for their needs and build community. SCC is also home to the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society, recognizing student veterans and military-connected students who exemplify Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute and Excellence (SALUTE) and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. The college's Vet Net Ally program also helps faculty, staff, administrators and students better understand the experiences and needs of student veterans.
According to U.S. Veterans Magazine, its Top Veteran Schools recognition is based on a national evaluation of institutions demonstrating meaningful support for veterans and transitioning service members. The review considers veteran resource centers, student organizations, academic support, career services and other programs designed to support military-connected students.
"Veterans bring experience, leadership and perspective to the classroom. The right educational environment helps turn those strengths into what comes next," said Mona Lisa Faris, president and publisher of U.S. Veterans Magazine.
The recognition appears in the November 2026 edition of U.S. Veterans Magazine. Readers can view the complete 2026 Top Veteran Schools list online.
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About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is one of two colleges in the Rancho Santiago Community College District , serving approximately 17,000 students annually. Accredited in 2000, this dynamic and award-winning institution is located in the city of Orange and provides an array of educational opportunities to more than 195,000 residents comprising the community. SCC offers 221 degree and certificate programs (including 28 associate degrees for transfer). SCC has been ranked among the “50 Best Community Colleges" in the U.S. by College Choice, recognized multiple times by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of “The Great Colleges to Work For," received Gold-level status as a Military Friendly School®, and boasts award-winning, dedicated faculty, high-quality and student-centered education, and has an excellent university transfer rate supported by transfer-guarantee programs.