Riverside City College Launches Veterans Transfer Pathway Program to Support CSU and UC Transfers

Riverside City College (RCC) has launched the Veterans Transfer Pathway Program, a new initiative funded through a Veterans Mental Health Grant designed to support Veteran students in successfully transferring to California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) campuses. The program was initiated in Fall 2025 and focuses on reducing barriers to transfer while ensuring continuity of academic preparation and VA educational benefits

The Veterans Transfer Pathway Program provides Veteran students with structured, individualized transfer planning, guidance on meeting university admission requirements, and direct support navigating VA certification processes to minimize disruptions during the transfer period. A cornerstone of the initiative is the intentional collaboration between the RCC Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and Veterans Resource Centers at partner CSU and UC campuses, creating warm handoffs and early access to university-level resources prior to transfer

A critical component of the program is the role of Veteran Peer Support Liaisons, who bridge the gap between community college and university systems. During the program’s first semester, significant groundwork was completed to establish processes, build partnerships, and support students navigating the transfer pathway

Among the inaugural liaisons is Denisse Peña Gama, an RCC graduate now attending the University of California, Riverside (UCR) as a Business Administration major with a concentration in Accounting. Drawing from her own transfer experience, Peña Gama developed the RCC-to-CSU/UC Pathway webpage, enabling students to schedule one-on-one appointments with peer liaisons while highlighting key university and RCC resources. She also facilitated application and Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) workshops and supported outreach events in collaboration with the UCR Veterans Resource Center

Derek Redmon, an RCC graduate currently attending California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) as a Computer Cybersecurity major, contributed CSUSB-specific content to the pathway webpage and provided academic guidance to students transferring into cybersecurity and other majors. He also co-facilitated application workshops to support a smooth transition for Veteran students moving from RCC to CSUSB

The program also recognizes the growing number of Veterans entering RCC’s Nursing Program. Arif Rachman, a current RCC nursing student, provides peer support to Veteran students completing prerequisites and navigating VA benefits processes; helping prevent delays in benefits and supporting timely program completion, even within nontraditional transfer pathways

Collectively, the Veterans Transfer Pathway Program strengthens RCC’s commitment to Veteran student success by fostering continuity, collaboration, and comprehensive support from enrollment through transfer and degree completion.

For more information about the Veterans Transfer Pathway Program, students are encouraged to contact the Riverside City College Veterans Resource Center.