Ruben Aguilar Keynotes Ninth Annual Veterans Scholarship Ceremony
Ruben Aguilar, a United States Army veteran, former Riverside Community College District Alumnus of the Year, and current Norco College faculty member, served as the keynote speaker for Moreno Valley College’s ninth annual Veterans Scholarship Ceremony. The event highlighted the journeys of student veterans and showcased how community colleges provide vital support, resources, and recognition for those transitioning from military service to higher education.
Aguilar shared his experiences as an airborne infantryman and his academic journey from community college to doctoral studies to illustrate the challenges veterans face, including shifts in identity, purpose, and support systems. He emphasized resilience, mentorship, and the value of campus environments that allow veterans to apply their leadership skills to new educational goals.
The ceremony also honored recipients of the 2025 Veterans Scholarship essay winners, financial scholarships awarded to student veterans who reflect on their transition from military service to higher education. This year’s essay theme, “From Warrior to Scholar: The College Transition of a Military Veteran,” asked students to discuss how their service prepared them for college, the challenges they encountered, and the strategies they used to persist.
Scholarship recipients included student veterans Martin Palma Castorena, Gustavo Gutierrez, Keambria Mass, Jerome R. Saxton, and Ricardo Soto-Perez, who are pursuing fields such as emergency management, radiation therapy, nursing, business administration, and graphic design. Their essays detailed experiences ranging from combat deployments and law enforcement service to balancing family responsibilities, health challenges, and full-time coursework, reflecting the diverse pathways veterans take in applying military experience to academic and career goals.
Since its founding in 2015, the Veterans Scholarship has supported Moreno Valley College students who have served in the armed forces, helping offset educational costs while affirming their service and leadership. To learn more visit the Veterans Scholarship page.