Westcliff’s Richard Perez Turns Military Experience into Academic Victories
There’s comfort in knowing someone’s been where you’re going. For Westcliff’s military-connected students, that someone is Richard Perez, veteran student support coordinator and Navy veteran, who now dedicates his days to helping others navigate the same path he once walked.
It’s a role that feels both familiar and deeply meaningful. In the Navy, Perez helped young men and women transition into military life through his work in recruitment. Today, he’s guiding them into student life at Westcliff, and he feels a deep responsibility to ensure they get the most out of that journey.
“Veterans did their service, and now they want to go out and join an institution that can serve those needs,” Perez said. “Westcliff is definitely a school that helps them push forward to obtain that degree by any means.”
Long before he became a member of the staff, Perez was simply looking for a fresh start. After more than two decades in the military, he was ready to invest in himself and pursue something new. Education felt like the right step forward. It offered structure, purpose, and the chance to grow in a different way.
As he weighed his options, Westcliff was the clear-cut choice for the Navy veteran.
Westcliff Checked Every Box
Perez was ready for life after the military. That’s when he found Westcliff University.
After retiring from the Navy, Perez was searching for a university that didn’t just accept his military background but valued it. He wanted an institution that could fit into his life, not take it over. What he found at Westcliff was a place designed for working professionals, veterans, and service members alike.
“What made me choose Westcliff as a student was the flexibility,” he emphasized. “It’s an accelerated kind of program with eight-week long courses. It just made it very feasible and obtainable, to maintain my own personal life, other career aspects, other things I wanted to do.”
Westcliff stood out as a university for veterans who needed both structure and support. Its hybrid and evening class options gave Perez the freedom to learn without sacrificing everything else.
“Since I’ve been in the program, it works well if you are a working professional and at the same time want to go to school,” he said. “It also works well if you’re not, and you can even obtain your degree faster.”
Beyond the logistics, it was about finding a place that respected his time in uniform and provided the kind of benefits that could turn the dream of a degree into reality. Perez was looking for a place that understood what it meant to start over and offered the support to make that possible.
Benefits That Move You Forward
After years of structure and routine, the shift to civilian life can feel uncertain. For many veterans, it means learning how to navigate a new path in life and turning their earned benefits into a clear path forward. Perez understands that challenge, and now he helps others through it.
“Some people might not have had college experience. Some people might have some,” Perez said. “Either way, we’re going to walk you through that process and make sure you’re on track for your goals. From choosing courses to maintaining your VA benefits, we’re here every step of the way.”
At Westcliff, veterans studying are met with more than a welcome. They receive the tools and guidance to make the most of their VA education benefits, including GI Bill®and other education benefits for military families.
These benefits are currently offered through Westcliff’s Irvine campus in a hybrid learning model, giving students the flexibility to balance education with life after service. Dedicated advisors then help make each step clear, from choosing a program to maintaining compliance with benefit requirements.
Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and other military education benefits, eligible students can receive coverage for:
- Tuition and fees
- Monthly housing allowances
- Book and supply stipends
- Potential credit transfers for military experience
“Maintaining the VA benefit that you have earned and making sure we’re in good compliance with what they need and that’s part of what we do,” Perez said.
From Service to Success
From the deck of a Navy ship to the hallways of a university, Richard Perez’s path has evolved in many ways but helping people has always been at the core. Years ago, he stood in front of young recruits, guiding them toward military service. Today, he stands beside veterans, steering them toward academic success.
In every meeting, every email, and every orientation, Perez draws on his own transition from service to school — the uncertainty, the choices, the victories. He knows the journey because he’s walked it himself. And he knows that for veterans, the right university is more than a place where you just go to class and you’re forgotten.
At Westcliff University, military students find advisors who speak their language, programs that fit their lives, and benefits that truly work for them. And with leaders like Perez in their corner, they find the confidence to take the next step.
For those looking for an online university for veterans that adapts to their pace, Perez knows Westcliff is the right place.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about military student support at Westcliff.