Veterans at Oxy

In Fall 2019, Occidental formally launched its Veterans Program, an initiative that includes affordable off-campus housing for student veterans and their families as well as hiring a new program director.

Our location in Los Angeles, part of the country’s largest regional population of veterans, positions the College to serve as both a home and a community for local veterans and military families.

At every turn, the staff and faculty of Occidental exceeded even the most ambitious of my expectations. Every day, the rigorous classroom environment and enthusiastic student body prove anew that Occidental was the perfect choice for me. Words alone cannot express the depth of my gratitude.”

   –Aaron Hammond ’16, sergeant, U.S. Air Force

Our Program

At Occidental College, student veterans contribute as much to the community as they receive. Veterans bring a global perspective, hard-won life experience and leadership skills, broad diversity and a commitment to service to campus.

A Great Need

Today’s veterans often leave the military without any plan for the difficult transition they face. This means they take on the challenge of finding housing and a new job, reconnecting with loved ones after long periods of separation and furthering their education—all at once. Veterans often express the need for more support in navigating this transition. The Occidental Veterans Program will provide veterans with what they are asking for: dedicated faculty, staff and a relationship-based community like the one they left that will provide an outstanding education, mentorship, stimulating programming and full-time student support.

A Good Fit

At Oxy, student veterans contribute as much to the community as they receive. Veterans bring a global perspective, hard-won life experience and leadership skills, broad diversity and a commitment to service to campus. For their part, student veterans tell us that their Oxy experience—which combines intimate scale with the infinite scope of the liberal arts—expands their worldview and helps them to express their individual needs and realize their full potential during a time of transition.

In Good Hands

Veterans Program Director Nathan Graeser has served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 20 years, including as a chaplain for an infantry brigade combat team over the last three years. Having earned a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and a master’s and doctorate degree in social work from the University of Southern California, Nathan has educated hundreds of providers and educators on how to effectively support veterans transitioning out of the military. He was recently recognized by the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture and the Interreligious Council of Southern California as one of 50 leaders working at the intersection of faith and social change.

 

Director of Veteran's Programs

Daryl Barker is a veteran of the US Navy submarine service. He served for 6 years as a nuclear operator and part of the strategic nuclear deterrent fleet onboard the USS Tennessee. He is completing his Masters in Library and Information Studies at UCLA in Spring of 2022 and then will be continuing...

Faculty Adviser, Veteran's Programs

Woody Studenmund is Laurence de Rycke Professor of Economics Emeritus at Occidental. His primary professional interests are reflected in his textbook, Using Econometrics. The book, currently in its seventh edition, is the top selling elementary econometrics text at liberal arts colleges. Studenmund...

     

Contact Veterans at Oxy