From the first salute and vow to serve to stepping off base after a final mission, a veteran’s commitment to service is a lasting promise they make to themselves, their country, and God. No matter how long they serve, where they deploy, or how they hone their skills to selflessly accomplish their duties, the discipline and leadership that veterans cultivate through the military are assets they always carry with them. When it’s time to leave this rich training ground, the transition into the next chapter of civilian life is often met with questions: What is my purpose? Where can I find community? How do I take what I’ve learned and apply it outside of the military?
A Nationally Recognized Commitment
Today, nearly 400 veteran and military-connected students find these answers at Azusa Pacific University. Recently recognized as the No. 4 Military Friendly® School out of all Tier 2 Research Institutions nationwide for offering comprehensive services and support, APU has made its commitment to veteran and military-connected students clear—and now its offerings to this population are expanding.
On April 14, state and local officials joined APU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors for a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the new $3.4 million Military and Veterans Center (MVC), a concierge-style one-stop shop for veterans to access a plethora of resources and tailored, holistic guidance throughout their entire college experience. The center, located on East Campus, was completely donor-funded, allowing APU to take its veteran services to the next level.
Translating Service into Success
Brent Theobald, executive director of Military and Veteran Services and a former U.S. Marine Corps member, sees the new center as a distinctive in how APU approaches the military-to-civilian transition.
“We help students translate their service into a clear academic path, a defined professional trajectory, and a renewed sense of purpose,” he said.
Holistic Resources for a New Mission
At the heart of APU’s military and veterans services is a team with firsthand experience transitioning back into civilian life. These experts offer comprehensive care for military-connected students. When transitioning back to civilian life, veterans have masterfully refined their diligence and capability to pursue excellence, acquiring skills far beyond what many develop in a lifetime. The challenge many face is adapting to carving out their own mission, identity, and community, because the military clearly defined all three while serving.
The MVC houses abundant resources—including academic, career, financial, community, and spiritual guidance—intentionally focused on helping students pursue their calling. Their shared mission is that veteran students graduate with a deep sense of who they are in Christ, and how their unique skills and perspective equip them to change the world and live a meaningful life. As a Yellow Ribbon University, APU helps veterans maximize their military benefits, including key financial incentives such as the monthly housing allowance. And the team is cross-trained to provide seamless, all-encompassing support.
A Homebase for Belonging
The MVC’s intentional design offers a peaceful, mixed-use atmosphere focused on rest, community, and productivity. This homebase, including six offices, a conference room, a training room, a lounge and study space, a kitchenette, restrooms, and an outdoor patio, houses a vast array of resources that give veteran students access to professional, personal, and spiritual formation opportunities, all provided by a committed community of staff driven by a love for serving God and others. When asked about his own transition from the military to civilian life, Theobald shared that a consistent element of the military was having a friend to his left and one to the right who were willing to protect him as he would protect them. The community established through the MVC mirrors that of the military, fostering camaraderie and cultivating family-like experiences through events to bring veterans together.
DeAnna Woods, assistant to Theobald, served in the U.S. Army for many years and holds a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology. She is proud to use her passion for holistically caring for veterans in a Christ-centered setting. Woods brings intention and care to every interaction, especially when it comes to the diversity of experiences among military-connected students. Not all served in the same branch, and some are dependents, carrying a family member’s legacy by using their GI Bill benefits.
“I am a firm believer that we all have a unique story, different struggles, and varying paths in life, but we are all one community, so I really aim to do my part in cultivating relationships,” said Woods.
Rio Martinez ’15, MA ’21, attended APU after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is now a military and veterans coach at the MVC: “It’s been a wonderful, full-circle experience leaving active duty, not knowing who I was at the time, and watching God navigate through my life. Now we have the opportunity to implement robust programming, dedicated staff members, and a brand-new building so veteran students do not have to walk alone.”
Martinez emphasized the importance of fostering belonging among military-connected students. His team is focused on four main initiatives: transition support, campus integration, career development, and spiritual care. All four are tightly intertwined, and each pours into the others.
“Veteran and military-connected students at APU are joining a Christ-centered community that prioritizes care, connection, and holistic development,” said Keith Hall, EdD, vice president for student belonging and chief diversity officer. “The university is deeply committed to walking alongside students—academically, spiritually, and personally. Veterans and military-connected students will find a community that not only honors their experiences but also actively integrates their leadership, discipline, and perspective into campus life.”
The Impact of Intentional Care
Lucas Naccarati ’25 is a testament to how APU’s dedication to supporting veteran students makes a difference in the trajectory of their careers, faith, and overall transition to civilian life. As a U.S. Marine who built a business developing bulletproof backpacks inspired by his calling to protect others, Naccarati sought a university that would be flexible in many ways. From assisting with costs, to online classes that made business trips more manageable, Naccarati found a new rhythm at APU that helped his endeavors flourish. The depth of biblical integration and application in his business classes was especially formative. “Learning to ask, ‘What would Jesus do in this scenario?’ really restructured the way I think. I found Bible verses that supported my decisions, and the whole process deepened my faith.”
Coming back to campus to tour the new center, Naccarati said he believed it would make a major impact. “Some veterans don’t know where to go. They don’t have a plan. Utilizing the benefits and with the encouragement of APU, it’s almost a failproof way to make sure they succeed and find the next step for their lives.”
At APU, it is the intentional details that make a difference in a student’s experience. Stepping into the MVC invites the whole person—spiritual, personal, and professional—to know that they belong here, and wherever God calls them to be. Through all these things, APU provides veteran students with opportunities to thrive, graduate, have a successful career, and live a life that combines their commitment to service with their higher calling.
Saundri Luippold ’25 is a writer of poetry and creative nonfiction. saundriluippold.com