What do we do?
Being a student can be hard and can be made even more difficult when transitioning from a professional military background to higher education. That's where the Veterans Association at USC (USCVA) comes in.
We are a recognized national chapter of Student Veterans of America. Through various initiatives the USCVA achieves the following:
- Helps student veterans to realize their full academic potential by bringing awareness towards, and facilitating access to, support services reserved exclusively for our community.
- Maintains strong relationships with community and corporate partners interested in supporting USC student veterans.
- Strives to give back to the surrounding communities as well as the veterans community through our many philanthropic initiatives.
- Hosts a number of professional development workshops accessible to all student veterans.
- Provides a welcoming and inclusive environment that is conducive to building and strengthening camaraderie.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower veterans and military-affiliated students at the University of Southern California by providing the resources, support, and community essential to their personal and professional development. We aim to enrich their academic experience and foster a sense of belonging through dedicated health and wellness activities, impactful community service, and robust social networking opportunities. We strive to rebuild the sense of community veterans often miss after exiting the military and create an environment where all military-affiliated students feel welcomed through their academic pursuits. Our goal is to ensure that every veteran leaves USC better prepared, both personally and professionally, than when they arrived.
Events We Host
Our events include, but are not limited to: mixers, networking events, job fairs, tailgates, volunteer opportunities, community service, team building exercises, social outings, and professional development.
FAQs
Meet the 2025-2026 Executive Board
Ramiro Acosta, President: “As the SVA President, my goal is to provide our veteran community and their families with the support and resources they need to be successful throughout their academic journey here at USC and into their post-graduate life. I am a senior at Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and Sol Price School of Public Policy, pursuing a degree in Political Science and Masters in Public Administration. While in the military, I served for 5 years as an avionics electrician technician in the U.S Marine Corps at the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 1, MCAS Miramar.”
Brandon Piña, Vice President: "As the Vice President of the Student Veterans Association at USC, I aim to foster community, enhance career readiness, and support a smooth transition from military to civilian life. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years at Marine Helicopter Light Attack Squadron 167, MCAS New River, and now study Business Administration at the Marshall School of Business with a focus on Leadership and Innovation. My goal is to empower veterans by leveraging our unique experiences in service to drive success in higher education and beyond."
Celina Villafranco, Treasurer: "As Treasurer of the Student Veterans Association at USC and a senior at Marshall School of Business, my mission is to steward and allocate resources to improve our student veteran experiences both personally and professionally. Drawing on my service in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic with Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-136, I bring diligence, attention to detail, and organizational excellence to this role. By fostering meaningful connections and investing in opportunities for growth, I strive to build a stronger community and a legacy of support for future generations of USC veterans."
Past Presidents & Vice Presidents
2025-2024: Fabian Francis & Jean-Luc Hayes
2024-2023: Jerick Galindez & Chhai Chhet
2023-2022: Seulki Noh & Cindy Thai
2022-2021: Johnny Walker & Seulki Noh
2021-2020: Christopher Alora & Christopher Martinez
2020-2019: Mark Milam & Victor Rangel
Email us at military@usc.edu if you would like to add your President & Vice President to our USCVA legacy list.