Students familiar with Cal Poly Pomona's Veterans Resource Center know that it's more than just a space for military-affiliated students to receive guidance and resources - it's a lifeline. Staff, faculty, student, and university partners all play an important role, including generous donors like alumna Barbara Gomez, who has been supporting the center for several years.
For Gomez, supporting the Veterans Resource Center means paying forward the gift of education her father experienced following his military service.
Education has always been a core value for the Gomez family. Gomez grew up recognizing the importance of education through her father and both of her older sisters - all of whom are proud CPP alumni.
As a young father of three, Raul Gomez transferred from Chaffey Community College to Cal Poly Pomona to earn a bachelor's in accounting after serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Barbara Gomez attributes her father's career success after the military to his commitment to higher education.
"He was the first in his family to go to college," Gomez explained, "and that made all the difference for us."
Seeing how much college benefitted her family, Gomez was inspired to pursue her own degree in business at CPP and later an MBA at Santa Clara University. The CPP alumna credits the university's learn-by-doing philosophy as a big reason for her success early in her tech and project management career. Gomez has more than 15 years of experience in program and product management, working at tech companies such as Symantec and Salesforce.
"I remember all of the group projects that we used to laugh about … those were really helpful in hindsight because - especially now as a project manager - I have cross-functional stakeholders and large project teams that I have to lead," she explained.
Gomez connected with the VRC, which was established in 2012, when her employer at the time offered to match donations to a nonprofit of her choosing. Seeing Cal Poly Pomona's VRC on the list reminded her of her father and the importance of supporting veterans in higher education.
"Transitioning from military life to Cal Poly Pomona - and to see where those military skills can help you in a career - it's great to have that guidance from the VRC," she said.
To see how her contributions have benefited students at CPP, Gomez was invited to the VRC's graduation and dinner in 2019.
"Seeing the first-generation students - and their proud parents as well - that just really struck home with me. I couldn't help but to think of my father," Gomez said. "Seeing the [graduating] parents accept their sash - their children were truly proud of them - and it made me proud of them. It also made me realize how much motivation they were providing for their children to continue their own education, and that was very touching and motivating for me to continue supporting the center."
Because of support from Gomez and others like her, the VRC is able to continue to empower and motivate military-affiliated students toward higher education and provide valuable resources and mentorship.
"Continued funding for services such as the VRC emergency grants, scholarships, workforce readiness activities and graduation celebrations are just some examples of how donors are contributing to student success," said Elke Azpeitia, director of the center. "Donors make a difference in the level of support that Cal Poly Pomona's Veterans Resource Center can provide to its military-affiliated students."
Being involved with the VRC has fulfilled Gomez's desire to give back.
"I really am grateful to Cal Poly Pomona for giving my family members the opportunity not only to get an education but to really establish a legacy. I just think that's a great opportunity and I would like to see that continue within the VRC," she said.
To make sure student veterans have the resources and community they need at CPP and beyond, donate at www.cpp.edu/veterans/giving/.