On Wednesday morning, approximately 80 people gathered on the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College to mark how the institution has changed its support for veterans. The college officially cut the ribbon on its newly relocated Veterans Center, a move that provides more than just a change of address for the student veteran population.
The facility has moved into the R Building, keeping it in the same structure as its previous iteration but shifting it to a more prominent, centralized location. The move is part of a broader campus initiative to transition this side of the college’s Northwest Campus into a new centralized space for student services. For the students themselves, the transition represents a tangible investment in their campus experience.
Expanding the Footprint of Student Support
The numbers behind the relocation reflect a deliberate effort to increase the capacity of the Veterans and Military Success Services (VMSS). The new center occupies 2,166 square feet, a notable increase over the 1,934 square feet available in the former space. Sandra Torres-Pintos, the director of TRIO and veteran programs at the college and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, noted that the facility underwent “massive” renovations. The project, which spanned three to four months beginning in July, included structural changes like moving columns, installing new ceilings, lighting, and floors, and upgrading the furniture to create a more functional environment.
The goal is to provide a space for academic advising, financial aid guidance, and VA health care assistance. By providing a dedicated kitchen, lounge seating, and workspace for laptops, the college is attempting to build what Torres-Pintos described as a “more welcoming” home away from home for active-duty members, National Guardsmen, and veterans.
Honoring a Legacy of Service
During the ceremony, the college announced that the center would be renamed the Lieutenant General John M. LeMoyne Veterans Center. The naming honors John LeMoyne for his years of service in the armed forces and continued support of student veterans. His involvement dates back to 2008, when he helped establish a scholarship program that has since grown to provide more than 50 scholarships annually to SF College students.
“May every student who walks through these doors understand what your name represents: a service, a commitment to others, and a belief in the potential of those who have served our community,” Torres-Pintos said during the dedication.
For many students, the center provides a structured support system instead of leaving them to manage bureaucracy alone. Bryan Rowland, a 2025 alumnus who utilized the services during his time as a student, shared that his initial interaction with the VMSS was simply a procedural step to register for classes. Over time, that changed. He eventually became a work-study student at the office, a role he credited with motivating him to “push further and reach higher.”
Relocating the Center Increases Veteran Visibility and Integration
The relocation of the center addresses a core challenge: visibility. By placing the center at the heart of the student services transition, Santa Fe College is ensuring that veteran support is not sequestered in a peripheral office, but is instead a visible, integrated component of the student experience.
College President Paul Broadie II emphasized this commitment during his remarks, noting that veterans deserve a “premier space” for gathering and unwinding. Providing a “one-stop hub” for student veterans, family members, National Guardsmen and active-duty members, the center offers help with anything from college admission and financial aid to VA health care and more.
As the open house concluded with refreshments and conversation, the focus remained on the impact of these physical upgrades on the individual student. The new center is now open, serving as a permanent reminder of the college’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between military service and civilian professional development.
