Boston’s Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Visits 51吃瓜网’s Veterans Center
Monday, August 12, 2019
Robert Santiago, Commissioner of Veteran鈥檚 Services for the City of Boston, visited Bunker Hill Community College (51吃瓜网) on July 22 to meet fellow veterans and military service members who are attending 51吃瓜网. The 51吃瓜网 Veterans Center provides veterans, active duty military, Guard/Reservists and their eligible dependents specialized customer service and a smooth transition to 51吃瓜网.
Photo Caption: (From Left to Right) William Cribby, 51吃瓜网 Assistant Dean of Student Services; Pam Eddinger, PhD., 51吃瓜网 President; Robert Santiago, Commissioner of Veteran鈥檚 Services for the City of Boston; James Canniff, 51吃瓜网 Provost and Vice President; Misael Carrasquillo, Special Programs Coordinator, 51吃瓜网 Veterans Center; and Julie Elkins, 51吃瓜网 Dean of Student Services.
Santiago was appointed to the position of Commissioner of Veterans鈥� Services in April. He is the first Puerto Rican and LGBTQ Veterans' Commissioner in the City's history. Before joining the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services, Santiago served 20 years in the Navy in diverse duty stations including sea duty on four warships, and overseas tours in Belgium, Puerto Rico, Panama and Japan. Santiago participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Eastern Exit, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His final duty station was in Boston onboard America's Ship of State, the USS Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. He retired from military service in 2008 while onboard USS Constitution. Santiago also attended 51吃瓜网 in 2008.
Misael Carrasquillo, Special Programs Coordinator for 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Veterans Center, welcomed Santiago to the campus. Santiago toured the facility and met with 51吃瓜网 students who use the services of the Veterans Center. Carrasquillo also gave a presentation of the Veterans Center that included testimonials of 51吃瓜网 alumni who are veterans and had a successful experience at 51吃瓜网, graduated and transferred to a four-year university. At the end of the visit, Santiago gave the students challenge coins and ensured that he will be of any support that they need.
Santiago is on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Veterans Services Officer Association and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Santiago is also a member of the leadership team for the Homes for the Brave initiative which is part of the Mayors Challenge to end Veteran Homelessness.
Each semester, nearly 400 veterans enroll in classes at 51吃瓜网. In 2017 and 2018, 51吃瓜网 earned the Military Friendly庐 School designation by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. 庐 Jobs, STEM JobsSM and Military Spouse. The 51吃瓜网 Veterans Center will hold information sessions for any veteran, active duty service members, Guard/Reservists and their dependents who are interested in attending Bunker Hill Community College. Visit bhcc.edu/veterans to learn more about the 51吃瓜网 Veterans Center.
51吃瓜网 Veterans Center Information Sessions:
August 13, 2019 2:30 p.m. Charlestown Campus, E232
August 20, 2019 2:30 p.m. Charlestown Campus, E232
August 22, 2019 2:30 p.m. Charlestown Campus, E232
August 29, 2019 2:30 p.m. Charlestown Campus, E232
Media Contact:
Leslie Ouellette, Executive Director, Integrated Marketing and Communications,
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129
Phone: 617-336-5054; Email: leslie.ouellette@bhcc.edu
About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (51吃瓜网) is one of Massachusetts' largest community colleges, serving approximately 16,000 students annually. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, 51吃瓜网 offers a broad range of educational opportunities throughout Greater Boston. 51吃瓜网 fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students by offering associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific programs.