Meet Current Student Veterans
Meet SDSU students that are serving their country as U.S. military personnel or veterans.
T. J. Ortega
T.J. Ortega is currently a Petty Officer First Class in the United States Navy Reserve where he serves as a Mass Communications Specialist and deals extensively with public affairs, visual information, and journalism. With more than eight years of service, he has served aboard the USS Peleliu and the USS Nimitz, has performed shore duty at Naval Base San Diego and Naval Air Station North Island, and deployed numerous times in support of the Global War on Terror.
Originally from Denver, Co., T.J. began his studies at San Diego State in the spring of 2012 and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. He is actively involved in many campus and community organizations to include the Student Veterans Organization, the United Veterans Council as the Student Veteran Representative, and as part of the VA Work-Study program where he was recognized as the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center "Work-Study of the Semester" for the summer 2012 term.
Josh Pederson
Josh Pederson served in the United States Marine Corps from 2000 to 2004 as a Heavy Equipment Operator and attained the rank of Sergeant before transitioning to civilian life. He served aboard Camp Pendleton, CA and deployed in 2003 with the 1st Transportation Support Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the initial assault.
Originally from Duluth, MN, Josh transferred to San Diego State University in the fall of 2011 and is currently pursuing a major in Financial Services and a second major in Economics. He is a Dean's List student who is very active in the Student Veterans Organization and was the Veterans House "Work-Study of the Semester" for the summer 2012 term.
Anthony Duran
Anthony Duran served in the United States Marine Corps for ten years achieving the rank of Sergeant. During his period of service, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; and Recruiting Duty in Salt Lake City, Utah. Additionally, he participated in several shipboard deployments and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Anthony began his studies at San Diego State University in the fall of 2012 and is pursuing a degree in sociology. In addition to his studies, he is a member of the SDSU Sociology Club, the Student Veterans Organization, and was selected as the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center "Work-Study of the Semester" for the Fall 2012 semester.
Adam Goodson
Adam Goodson served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years as a Military Police and Corrections Specialist. Before separating from active duty, he had achieved the rank of Sergeant and served in a variety of locations to include Miramar, CA; Okinawa, Japan; Pensacola, Fl; Quantico, VA; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Originally from Austin, TX, Adam began studying at San Diego State University in January 2011 and is pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. He is an active member and executive officer of the Student Veteran Organization, conducts verbal communication coaching, and was selected as the "Work-Study of the Semester" for the SDSU Veterans House in the fall of 2012.
