SWC News Center

From Combat Boots to College Books: Army Veteran Finds New Purpose

By: Stephanie Kingston - October 14, 2025

For Luis Gonzalez, a U.S. Army veteran who now calls San Diego home, the journey to Southwestern College was more than just enrolling in classes.  His journey was about rediscovering purpose, building a future, and finding community after over two decades of military service.

Luis grew up in Lorain, Ohio, a small factory town where hard work and resilience were a way of life. At 20 years old, he enlisted in the Army, seeking opportunity and a new direction. A decision that completely changed his life.

He went on to serve over 21 years in the Army as a Transportation Management Coordinator and logistician, deploying five times to Iraq and Afghanistan between 2002 and 2019. His service instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and leadership, but it also highlighted the importance of connection. “Those years taught me resilience, leadership, and the value of leaning on others. The same lessons I still carry with me today.”

When Luis retired from the military, he knew his mission wasn’t over. He turned to education to begin a new chapter. “I knew I wanted to keep growing. Education felt like my next mission,” he said. Still, the transition wasn’t without uncertainty. “Honestly, I didn’t know how it would go, especially here in San Diego.”

However, that uncertainty faded when he found Southwestern C

ollege. “The programs were strong, the community was welcoming, and most importantly, the Veterans Center made me feel like I wasn’t starting this new chapter alone,” Luis shared.

The Veterans Center on the Chula Vista campus is a hub of resource amenities and services. From information on VA educational benefits, counseling services, disability support, financial aid assistance, a dedicated computer lab, continual workshops and peer to peer tutoring, it is a place where veterans can connect with others like themselves.

Luis is now pursuing a degree in Business Management, with plans to graduate in 2027. His long-term dream? To open a custom motorcycle shop, a vision that education is helping him bring to life. 

What makes his journey even more meaningful is that he's not doing it alone. His wife, a Navy sailor currently serving her ninth year, is also a Southwestern College student. She is working toward a degree in biology with plans to transfer to SDSU after completing her service in 2027. “It’s been amazing to push each other, celebrate small wins together, and remind ourselves that we’re not just building individual futures, we’re building them side by side, said Luis.

At the heart of his SWC experience is the Veterans Resource Center. It is a place he credits with helping him transition into student life and a role he now serves in himself. “The staff and the student workers have been incredible,” he said. “They’ve helped me navigate classes, benefits, and just the everyday challenges of being a veteran in college.” Today, Luis pays it forward and works at the Veterans Center, continuing the tradition of “vets helping vets.” 

As he looks to the future, with his wife by his side and his goals in sight, Luis says he’s filled with gratitude. “My journey from the Army to higher education hasn’t been simple, but with the support around me, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”