N America News May 2017

NORTHAMERICANEWS / MAY 2017 87 , Dr Christianson of Citrus College tells us more about her workwith veterans, and how it felt to be awarded Best Veteran Support Center Director – California. Veteran Support Celebrating 100 years of service, Citrus College is located in Glendora in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, approximately 25 miles northeast of metropolitan Los Angeles. The college has the distinction of being the oldest community college in Los Angeles County and the fifth oldest in the state. Citrus College was founded in 1915 under the leadership of Dr. Floyd S. Hayden, who helped bring the community college movement to California. From 1915 to 1961, the college was operated by the Citrus Union High School District. In July 1961, the Citrus Community College District was created to include the Azusa and Glendora unified school districts. In 1967, the district expanded to include the Claremont, Duarte and Monrovia school districts. Today, Citrus College occupies a 104-acre campus. The college is currently experiencing a major facilities expansion project that will change the look of the campus. The college enrolled 27 students in 1915 and currently the college serves more than 15,000 students annually. Classes are offered on a 16 week calendar (fall and spring semesters), as well as in a variety of non-traditional scheduling options -- winter intersession, evenings, summer sessions, and optional class formats, such as online education courses. Dr Christianson was selected to receive the Best Veteran Support Center Director title, she tells us how it feels to be awarded with this prestigious accolade. “I am not sure who nominated me,” she says humbly. “But it is a great honour to be able to serve those who have served our country. I don’t see it as work but as a privilege to help and assists others.” She tells us more about the college and its mission for the veteran community. “As a Community College it means that we are helping veterans and helping our future generation transition. Serving student veterans is our main focus but helping them transition into the civilian life by removing barriers is that icing on the cake.” Dr Christianson’s daily job at Citrus College consists of recruiting student veterans, assisting them with enrolment, completing VA educational paperwork, negotiating the bureaucracy for the Veteran’s Administration, undertaking campus paperwork, providing emotional support and mental health services and referrals as needed, and writing grants for ancillary services. She embellishes on her background prior to attaining his current position. “My career path was solely in the mental health sector, I didn’t ever see myself on a campus helping students, although I had worked for years helping others with trauma and this was a good fit to continue that, as war is traumatic and it does impact someone’s life a great deal.” With regards to the future, Dr Christianson would like to expand the transformational therapeutic experience using art to heal those who suffer from trauma.” Company: Citrus College Name: Monica Christianson Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.citruscollege.edu Address: 1000 West Foothill Boulevard, Glendora California, 91741 1885 USA Telephone: +1 (626) 963 0323 BEW1614