SAN MARCOS — Wells Fargo recently donated $50,000 to Palomar College that will be used to support career services for the college’s military veteran student population.
The grant, which Wells Fargo presented to college officials on Nov. 10, will go to Palomar’s Veteran-Focused Career Opportunities Program, a program that has a successful track record of helping veterans find careers after college.
“This is an extraordinary investment by Wells Fargo that will benefit not only our students who are military veterans, but also our communities,” said Interim Superintendent/President Adrian Gonzales. “It’s an excellent example of a productive partnership between a respected community institution and Palomar College.”
Wells Fargo representatives said the grant reinforces its commitment to serving veterans.
“While Wells Fargo has been committed to service members, veterans, and their families for more than 163 years, we’ve really increased our commitment and support over the past three years,” said Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo Military & Veteran Programs manager. “In 2016 and beyond, we will remain committed to the three areas where we feel we can have the greatest impact: empowering service members and veterans to succeed financially through home ownership, career transition, and financial education.”
Gillette presented the grant check to Gonzales, representatives of the school’s philanthropic foundation, and Veterans Services employees prior to the College’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on the San Marcos campus.
Palomar College, according to school officials, is recognized for having one of the largest military veteran populations among all the California community college campuses. At the college’s Camp Pendleton Educational Center, a full range of lower division coursework up to and including completion of certificates and associate degrees is available to active duty personnel, their dependents, and civilians. Camp Pendleton students also have access to services including: admission, assessment (testing), orientation, financial aid, counseling, tutoring, and an ample selection of course offerings on site.
On the San Marcos campus, Palomar operates a full-service Veterans Office with two full-time staff members and more than 20 veteran student workers.
The college also has a Veteran’s Resource Center where veteran students have access to tutoring, computers, and a space to gather with fellow veterans.
Additional services provided by the college include tutoring, personal counseling, a resource guide to community services, resume workshops, career services, job fairs, food assistance, textbook assistance, disabled student services and Extended Opportunities programs for students who are educationally, socially or economically disadvantaged.
