San Jac earns Gold Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award
San Jacinto College has earned the Gold Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission, recognizing the College's continued commitment to helping student veterans and military-connected students succeed. The distinction marks an advancement from the Silver Award the College received in 2025.
San Jac is among 32 Texas public colleges and universities recognized in 2026 for providing outstanding educational opportunities and services to veterans and their families. Established by the Texas Legislature, the annual award recognizes institutions at gold, silver, and bronze levels based on the quality and range of resources available to veteran students.
“Colleges and universities across Texas offer world-class resources and educational support to the brave men and women who served in our nation’s military,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank these institutions for the services they provide student veterans and veterans’ children as they pursue opportunities in higher education.”
San Jacinto College provides a range of services designed to help veterans navigate their educational journeys, including veteran-specific advising and orientation, academic and mental health support, career services, and a dedicated veterans center where students can access resources and connect with others. The College also offers faculty and staff training on veteran student needs and hosts an annual Veteran Resource Fair to connect students and community members with additional support services.
“Education is a pathway to personal well-being and improving quality of life,” said Laura Koerner, Texas Veterans Commission chairwoman and Navy veteran. “These colleges and universities help ensure our veterans and their dependents receive the quality education they have earned in an environment that fosters their academic success.”
“Every veteran comes to San Jac with different experiences, goals, and needs, and we want them to know they have a team ready to support them,” said Holly Morrison, veteran services manager at San Jacinto College. “Whether they're navigating education benefits, adjusting to college life, or planning their next career move, our goal is to help them feel connected, supported, and confident about what's ahead.”
The Gold Award reflects the College's ongoing efforts to create an environment where veterans and military-connected students have the tools, resources, and connections they need to reach their goals.
The Texas Veterans Commission supports veterans, their families, and survivors through benefits assistance, funding for direct services, and administration of the Hazlewood Act education benefits.
Learn more about San Jac veteran services
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the The Commission on Colleges and Universities.
