CSUSB Paraprofessional Ralph Figueroa Named 2024 Student Veterans of America Student Veteran of the Year

California State University, San Bernardino proudly celebrates Ralph Figueroa, Graduate-Candidate Paraprofessional at the Veterans Success Center (VSC), for being named the 2024 Student Veterans of America (SVA) Student Veteran of the Year. This prestigious honor, announced during the 17th Annual SVA National Conference (NatCon), recognizes Ralph’s extraordinary contributions to leadership, community impact, and advocacy for student veterans.

The Student Veteran of the Year Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to empowering fellow veterans in higher education. Ralph Figueroa embodies these qualities through his tireless efforts to create meaningful change. As a veteran-ready counselor in training and president of the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) at CSUSB, Ralph has established himself as a beacon of inspiration within the campus and beyond.

Reflecting on this recognition, Ralph shared, “Being named the 2024 Student Veterans of America (SVA) Student Veteran of the Year is more than a personal achievement; it recognizes my passion and relentless drive to support student veterans in higher education through educational workshops, mental health initiatives, and advocacy. As a veteran-ready counselor in training, this incredible honor highlights my dedication to improving the lives of fellow veterans through leadership and mentoring and designing events aimed at educating them on VA benefits, on and off-campus resources, and transferable life skills, while simultaneously fostering a sense of camaraderie.”

Ralph also credited the Veterans Success Center at CSUSB for its instrumental role in his journey. “The VSC has not only been a lifeline but a supportive community that enabled me to thrive academically and professionally. Their unwavering support allowed me to overcome any challenge that came my way. They ensured I had all the necessary tools to balance my role as a student worker, successfully navigate my master's program, serve as SVO President, and still make time for family and self-care. If the rest of the country didn’t know about CSUSB…they do now!”

The Veterans Success Center at CSUSB provides comprehensive support to the university’s veteran community, including active-duty service members, veterans, and their dependents. The center offers a variety of resources. Through these efforts, the VSC ensures that CSUSB’s student veterans have the tools and support they need to succeed academically, professionally, and personally.

For more information on the Veterans Success Center at CSUSB please visit: https://www.csusb.edu/veterans

For more information on the Student Veterans of America please visit: https://studentveterans.org/news/2024-honors-awards/