GateWay Community College’s Veterans Service Center in Phoenix helps veterans, dependents and those on active duty apply for VA educational benefits. Veterans Services Manager Gary Marabella told us during a video shoot that GateWay uses its campus space as a central area where veterans can interact with each other. The space includes a study area. “It’s kind of like a place where they can have a fellowship and sense of community.” The center helps veterans who got out of the military and are transitioning to civilian life. Gary served in the military three years. “I always tell veterans if they are feeling nervous or perhaps apprehensive about going back to school, I also let them know that I was in my mid-20s when I first went back to college. I felt very much out of place. At that time, there was no veterans club or veterans area. I was on my own. Here it’s just great to have some type of central meeting place where you feel like a sense of belonging.”
