Contact Us
Veterans Student Services
Guidance, Support, and Resources
University Hall 230
Phone: (657)278-8660
Fax: (657)278-5134
Email: VSS@fullerton.edu
Veterans Certification
Education Benefits
Langsdorf Hall 540
Phone: (657)278-2373
Fax: (657)278-7042
Web site: http://fullerton.edu/vacertification/
Veterans Student Services Staff
Coordinator
Catherine Ward
Catherine Ward, B.S., is the Coordinator for CSUF's Veterans Student Services, where she serves as a program developer and administrator, student counselor, support group facilitator, and community resource liaison. Catherine graduated Summa Cum Laude from CSUF in May of 2010 with her Bachelor of Science in Human Services and is currently attending CSUF’s Master of Counseling Program. Born and raised in Southern California, Catherine hopes to give back to the community by supporting the veteran community (and their families) through education and counseling opportunities. She spends her spare time with family, enjoys the arts, and playing her ovation guitar.
Assistant Coordinator
Daniel Akers
Daniel Akers, B.A., graduated Summa Cum Laude from CSUF in May 2012 with his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and is currently attending CSUF’s Master of Public Administration Program. Daniel was born and raised in Pomona California and served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Sergeant from 2002 to 2006. During his time in the Army he was stationed at Ft. Carson Colorado and served tours of duty in both Korea and Iraq. He is the Assistant Coordinator for CSUF’s Veterans Student Services and hopes to continue his own education while assisting other students in theirs. In his spare time he likes hiking, weightlifting, and good food and beer.
Student Veteran Assistant
Claire Horseman
Claire Horseman was born in Subiaco, Perth, Western Australia and raised in La Habra/Whittier, CA. She joined the United States Coast Guard where she served as an Aviation Maintenance Technician 3rd Class (AMT3). She served aboard the icebreaker U.S.C.G.C. Polar Sea during a deployment from Seattle to Antarctica from November 2003 through April 2004. She was also stationed in Cape May, NJ, Air Station Port Angeles in Port Angeles, WA, Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, NC, and Air Station Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville, CA. Claire transferred to CSUF to pursue her B.A. in Public Administration in 2010. She wants to create an organization to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities through the medical discharge process and after separation from the military. Claire enjoys USC football, swimming, water polo, hanging out with friends, and camping.
Webmaster
Jonni Taylor
Jonni Taylor was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She joined the Marine Corps in 1990 and served four years as an orders and discharge clerk (0151) and service record book clerk (0121) and was her unit’s NBC NCO. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA for training and served at Cherry Point, NC. Jonni is currently studying Psychology at CSUF and will be graduating this spring. She wants to attend graduate school to attain her Masters in Social Work to continue her service by working with veterans. Jonni enjoys karaoke with her friends, collecting playing cards, and rescuing feral kittens.
Tutor
Norman Mendiola
Norman Mendiola was born and raised in Orange California. He served in the United States Coast Guard as a Boatswainsmate 3rd Class and as a Cutter Rescue Swimmer. He was stationed in Honolulu, Hi. He graduated with his B.A. in American Studies and Communications/Public Relations. He is currently working on his Masters in Communication Studies. He wants to be a professor in interpersonal communications. In his spare time, Norman enjoys surfing, basketball, hiking, and reading.
Tutor
Jerame Taylor
Jerame Tayor was born in Texas and lived there most of his life. Jerame has also lived in Maryland, Minnesota, and in California for the last four years. Jerame served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He carried two MOS's, Military Police and Refrigeration Mechanic. Jerame completed two tours in Iraq at Al Asad and Camp Rustamyiah in Baghdad. His last duty station was at MCAS Miramar Provost Marshal's Office. Jerame received his Associates of Science in Drafting Technology from Irvine Valley College in May 2012 before transferring to CSUF. He is currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His career goal is to work in the field of transport systems, aircraft, robotics, and/or weapons. Jerame is an avid motorcycle rider. He rides a GSX 1300R sportbike, enjoys weightlifting, and spending time with his children.
Work Study
Sophia Kelly
Sophia Kelly was born and raised in Southern California. In 2006, she joined the U.S. Army as a Signal Support Specialist. She was assigned to an Air Defense Artillery unit where she worked on networked computers. She was stationed in both Waegwan, South Korea and Fort Hood, Texas. She served for 4 years as an active duty soldier. She transferred to California State University, Fullerton in Fall 2012. Her major is Business Administration concentrating in Information Systems/Decision Sciences. Her hobbies include movies, reading, and playing video games.
Work Study
Sergio Lopez
Sergio Lopez was born and raised in Fairfield, CA. He served four years in the Marine Corps as a heavy equipment mechanic (1341) from 2008 to 2012. He was stationed in Camp Pendleton and did one tour in Aghanistan in 2010. Right after getting out the military late July he was already accepted to CSUF for mechanical engineering to start in Fall 2012. He plans to design engines for Toyota and hopes to bring back a car worthy of succeeding the Toyota Supra. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching movies, lifting weights and working on his '91 Toyota Celica.
Work Study
Peter Weiman
Peter Weiman grew up locally in Mission Viejo, CA. He joined the Navy after High school and served as Torpedoman Mate onboard the submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701). Stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI for four years, he also completed two Western Pacific deployments. After separating from the Navy in 2007 he attended Orange Coast College to study welding technology while working as a welder. In 2009 he continued his education at OCC, studying Business Administration, and transferred to CSUF in Fall 2011, with a concentration in marketing. He wants to work toward owning his own custom fabrication shop. His hobbies include welding/ fabrication, classic car restoration, and fishing.
Intern
Margarita Castellanos
Margarita Castellanos is a current senior at CSUF who will graduate in May 2013 with her Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Margarita was born in Berlin, Germany on a U.S. Military base and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her father served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Sergeant from 1983 to 1989. Margaritas father is currently the Commander of the American Legion and Auxiliary, Post 276. Margarita is an intern at the VSS working on bringing the needs of dependents, such as herself, forward and providing mutual services as those provided to veterans. She hopes that her work will bring awareness to the importance of assisting veteran dependents, in turn creating a ripple in Veteran Student programs on CSU campuses. Margarita is an aspiring music journalist. She loves music, the outdoors, and learning everything and anything.
Intern
Erica Martinez
Erica grew up in Anaheim California. She graduated from Anaheim High School in 2009 and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Services at Cal State Fullerton. She is currently doing an internship at VSS to broaden her knowledge in her field of study. Her career goal is to become a substance abuse counselor. She hopes to be accepted into the Masters of Counseling program at Cal State Fullerton in Fall 2014.
Intern
Rachel Moreno
Rachel Moreno served in the United States Navy from 2005-2013 as a Logistics Specialist 2nd Class (LS2) and a Career Counselor as a collateral duty. She worked in 4 different Reserve units: NPSTRU; NAVELSG FWD Hotel Customs and Border Patrol, Cargo and Supply; Operational Support Unit 1941; Cargo Afloat Rig Team III Bravo. She deployed with NAVELSG FWD Hotel in 2008 to Kuwait and Iraq for 10 months. Rachel is currently a junior at California State University, Fullerton working on her Human Services degree. She currently works at Boeing Satellites in El Segundo utilizing the skills she learned in the Navy to work as a Material Specialist.
Social Media Toolbar