Golden Gate University’s focus on the need for veteran advocacy and professional development programs began in 2012, after GGU Law’s Dean Rachel Van Cleave lost her friend, late Ambassador Christopher Stevens, in Benghazi. At his memorial, Dean Van Cleave met with student veterans who expressed the challenges student veterans face due to their unique experiences and perspectives. From that day on, Dean Van Cleave sought to help veterans with legal and professional services in order to help them navigate higher education and to transition into professional careers. For the past two years, Dean Van Cleave and GGU have worked with Bay Area veterans to create and to host the Annual Veterans Law Conference. This year, the conference will also touch on veterans in the business community. The goal: to help veterans transition into higher education and into professional careers. It is GGU’s hope that this program will encourage local efforts to create a vertical chain of mentorship amongst veterans, providing support to veterans in every stage of transition from the military, through school, and into professional careers. You can view or download the program handbook here.