Rancho Santiago Community College District Honor Student Veterans
During the regularly scheduled board of trustees meeting on November 12, the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) celebrated Veterans Day by honoring two outstanding student veterans: Adan Salvador from Santa Ana College and Jorge Ayala Tapia from Santiago Canyon College. This recognition aimed to highlight the individual achievements of these two veterans and acknowledge the sacrifices and perseverance of all veterans attending the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
Adan Salvador: A Journey from Army Cavalry Scout to Engineering Student
Adan Salvador served six years in the U.S. Army as a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout, where he demonstrated commitment, resilience, and leadership in roles such as training lieutenants at Camp Hovey in South Korea. Following his service, Adan transitioned to civilian life and is now pursuing an Associate of Arts in Mechanical Engineering at Santa Ana College, with a commendable GPA of 3.65. His academic success is complemented by his active involvement in various student organizations, including the Veterans Student Association and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, where he advocates for veteran support on campus.
Adan’s story is one of family, community, and resilience. Outside his academic and extracurricular commitments, he treasures time with his daughter and enjoys soccer, fishing, and basketball. Reflecting on his experience at Santa Ana College, he expressed deep gratitude for the Veterans Resource Center, which he credits for smoothing his path back into education. Adan’s goal is to continue his engineering studies at Cal Poly Pomona in Fall 2025, a journey made possible, he says, by the strong support network at Santa Ana College and his family.
Jorge Ayala Tapia: From Marine and Soldier to Environmental Science Student
Jorge Ayala Tapia’s journey began in Napa Valley, California, where he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2016. His service took him from Camp Pendleton to Japan and Australia with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. After completing his Marine Corps service in 2020, Jorge faced the challenges of civilian life. He was re-enlisted in the Army as an Infantry Team Leader, a role he fulfilled until he transitioned to Santiago Canyon College.
Currently, Jorge is studying Environmental Science at Santiago Canyon College, where he feels he has found a new purpose and stability. He is a committed family man and actively engages with the campus’s Veterans Resource Center. Jorge credits the VRC staff for helping him transition smoothly to academic life, providing admissions assistance and tutoring support to ensure his success. “The VRC made it easy for me to transition from soldier to full-time student,” Jorge shared.
A Salute to All Veteran
This recognition ceremony underscored the profound impact of veteran students on both campuses and highlighted the invaluable role of the Veterans Resource Centers in facilitating their journeys. The recognition resonated deeply with attendees, including one online viewer who shared, “I'm a daughter of a veteran, so I'm tearing up over here.”
As the Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees honored Adan Salvador and Jorge Ayala Tapia, their stories powerfully reminded us of the courage and determination veterans bring to their military service and educational pursuits. These veterans embody the spirit of service, commitment, and excellence, representing an inspiration for the entire RSCCD community.
