Meet the VRC Team
Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia
Veterans Resource Center Coordinator
E: jgarcia@cypresscollege.edu
I began my journey supporting veterans as a Veterans Affairs work-study student after leaving the military in 2008. As a proud Cypress College alumni, I was inspired to pursue a master’s in social work to help fellow veterans navigate their transition to civilian and academic life. I started as an adjunct counselor in 2014 and have been dedicated to serving military-affiliated students ever since. Since 2017, I’ve coordinated the Veterans Resource Center, overseeing daily operations and support services. I’m passionate about creating a welcoming space where veterans feel understood, supported, and empowered in their educational goals.
Nick Gutierrez
Student Service Coordinator
E: ngutierrez@cypresscollege.edu
I am the Student Services Coordinator for the Veterans Resource Center. In this position, I assist students with their initial intakes, help connect students with on and off campus resources, lead the VRC in the coordination of events and workshops, and ensure students are provided with accurate and pertinent information regarding their individual circumstances.
Originally beginning as a writing tutor in the Learning Resource Center back in 2015, I joined the VRC team in 2019. Since then, I have enjoyed assisting military-affiliated students with their personal and academic journeys and goals. The student veteran and military-affiliated student population is one of the most fun to work with. I always find it personally rewarding to help students achieve things in their lives they never believed were possible. Being able to help others and assisting them with attaining success is the main drive behind everything I do.
Christy Montenegro
Student Certifying Official
E: cmontenegro@cypresscollege.edu
I became a School Certifying Official on September 11, 2001, a date that holds profound meaning for so many. At the time, I couldn’t fully grasp how deeply that moment would shape the course of my life, but in hindsight, it felt like a calling. From that day forward, my mission has been clear: to give back to those who have served our country and to support their families with the respect and dedication they deserve. What I value most about working with Veterans and their families are the meaningful relationships we’ve built over time. I deeply respect the trust they’ve placed in me, even though I have not served in the military myself. I’m honored to walk alongside them through their journey, the victories, the setbacks, and, most of all, their unwavering perseverance. It’s incredibly powerful to witness Veterans rediscover their self- worth and reclaim their individual identities. In many ways, the greatest battle they face is not on the field, but within the fight to rebuild, redefine, and rise as the next version of themselves.
Carlos Martinez
Student Services Technician
E: carlos.martinez@cypresscollege.edu
As a Student Services Technician, I provide support to Cypress students and staff in our VRC, primarily focusing on the certification process for military affiliated students using their VA Education Benefits.
After my military service, I enrolled at Cypress College and found a home in the VRC where I developed strong bonds with veteran peers that I’ve maintained to this day. After graduating and pursuing a career in IT, I found myself continuing to be part of the military culture and began a journey where I could focus on
assisting veterans and their families. The experiences I’ve had at the Cypress VRC not only helped shape who I have become but also played a crucial part in my transition from the military back to civilian life, just as it has for many others. I look forward to giving back to the veteran and military affiliated population.
Esmeralda Martin
Adjunct Counselor
E: emartin@cypresscollege.edu
I currently serve as a Veterans Counselor for the Veterans Resource Center at Cypress College, a role I’ve held since August 2021. My expertise lies in academic counseling and student development. In this role, I teach veteran-specific academic and life success courses and support students through every stage of their educational journey, from enrollment to graduation and beyond.
My own academic path began at Fullerton College, where I earned an associate degree in sociology. I later transferred to California State University, Fullerton, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and went on to complete a Master of Science in educational counseling from the University of La Verne. As an Army veteran, my personal transition from military service to higher education has deeply shaped my commitment to helping others navigate a similar path.
In addition to my counseling role, I serve as the advisor for Women’s Unit(y), a student group dedicated to empowering military-affiliated women. Through this work, I focus on building community, fostering leadership, and supporting personal growth. What I love most about my work is the opportunity to build meaningful connections, especially with military-affiliated students who bring strength, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose to everything they do. Being part of their journey and watching them thrive beyond military life is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Benjamin Monroy
Adjunct Counselor
E: bmonroy@cypresscollege.edu
I currently serve as an Adjunct Veterans Counselor, a role I’ve held since March of 2025 with the Cypress College Veterans Resource Center. My specialty is career and vocational counseling, with a dedicated focus on supporting veterans as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.
My academic path began at Cypress College in August 2014, where I earned an associate degree in liberal arts in 2017. I then transferred to CSU Long Beach, completing a bachelor’s degree in social
work in 2019 and obtaining a master’s degree the following year. I owe a great deal of my success to the unwavering support of the Cypress College Veterans Resource Center staff, especially Dr. Juan Garcia. As a student veteran returning to school after more than six years away, I was inexperienced and unsure of my future. The VRC staff made that transition not only manageable, but meaningful. I am honored to have the opportunity to return to the VRC, this time as a counselor working alongside Dr. Garcia. Now, I have the privilege of giving back to the very community that once supported me. Drawing from my own experiences as a student veteran and Cypress College alumnus, I’m proud to help guide fellow veterans through their educational journey and support their transition back into civilian life.