Opening ceremony for the new military and veterans center

APU Military and Veterans Center

APU’s New Military and Veterans Center is Now Open!

A national leader in military and veterans education and success, APU celebrates the opening of its new Military and Veterans Center designed to provide veteran and military-connected students with the gold standard of service and support. The innovative facility enables APU to offer a network of resources to ensure a smooth transition for students from military to civilian life, while helping students maximize their benefits. Once enrolled, these men and women who courageously and selflessly served our nation will be supported academically, spiritually, and socially.

Project Highlights

Project Funded by Historic $10M Gift

A landmark $10 million gift from an anonymous donor marks the largest single cash donation in the university’s history. This generous donation made the new Military and Veterans Center possible and ensures a bright future for APU’s veteran and military-connected students.

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Groundbreaking, Fall 2025

Donors, veterans, and community leaders gathered alongside APU faculty, staff, and students to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Military and Veterans Center in October. This new building will pave the way for enhanced programs and facilities to provide comprehensive support, strengthen connection, and expand resources for military-connected students.

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Vision

APU collaborated with architects to establish a clear and purposeful vision for the center. The renderings illustrate the direction of the project and how the finished space will support military-connected students for years to come.

A Home Base for Military and Veteran Students

APU’s new Military and Veterans Center provides more than 340 military-connected students with a one-stop location for all resources—academic, career, counseling, and benefits. The center also serves as a home base for creating community and for veterans and military students to discover their next mission in leadership and service. The center, located on East Campus, features 3,900 square feet, six offices, conference room, training room, lounge and study space, restroom, kitchenette, and outdoor patio.

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President with important MVC staff inside new center

President Morris, Faythe, and Freddy standing in front of a tank

Original Rendering, Exterior, and Layout

The image rendering shows a vision of the Military and Veterans Center building.

A snippet of the exterior plan, illustrating the Military and Veterans Center at eye-level.

A snippet of how the space might be laid out from a bird’s-eye view.

2026 Finalization and Opening

April 14, 2026: Grand Opening – Ribbon cutting and operational handoff
February 28–March 2, 2026: Furniture Installation

February 20–27, 2026: Testing, Inspections, and Closeout – Final clean, punch, inspections, and turnover

2024-25 Milestones

December 29, 2025–February 16, 2026: Interior Finishes – Drywall, paint, flooring, doors, and hardware
September 16, 2025–January 19, 2026: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Interior Work – MEP tie-ins, rough-ins, insulation, skylights, ceiling framing
November 24, 2025–January 9, 2026: Landscaping – Hardscape, irrigation, and final site work
October 27–December 31, 2025: Exterior Finishes – Wall panels, paint, windows, canopies, lighting
September 26–December 23, 2025: Structural Development – Footings, framings, CMU infill, roof modification

September 8–October 20, 2025: Demolition – Demo of existing elements, rough grading
Early September 2025: Site Preparation – Site utilities, barricades, erosion control set up
Late August–Early September 2025: Procurement – Bidding, contract awards, and material releases
September 2024–August 2025: Design and Planning – Finalize drawings, permits, and coordination

Veteran Alumni Making an Impact

On Mission: Veteran Lucas Naccarati

Lucas, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, used his military benefits to earn his Bachelor’s in Business. He integrates his faith into his profession as a successful entrepreneur.

Watch Lucas’s Film

student Ulysses sitting and looking forward at apu campus.

Experiencing Transformational Healing at APU

After two deployments with the U.S. Marine Corps where he witnessed violent and traumatic events, Ulyses returned home, knowing he would need to find a place of healing while transitioning back to civilian life. He found that place at APU.

Watch Ulyses’ Film

A Crescendo of Opportunity

After serving in the U.S. Air Force for six years as an aircraft mechanic, Erick returned home and decided to go back to college, where he grew in his faith and musical teaching skills at APU. He loves giving back to the community as director of bands at Glendora High School by helping students grow in their music skills.

Watch Erick’s Film

From Service to Opportunities

APU’s commitment to the success of our veteran and military-connected community is shown through powerful financial support, strong federal benefits, and our recognized excellence. The new Military and Veterans Center makes this commitment tangible, providing a dedicated space that fosters opportunities and belonging where students thrive.

Nearly $1.5 Million in annual tuition support delivered through the Yellow Ribbon Program and federal benefits to our military community.

$10 Million Gift funds APU’s largest investment in military-connected students and programs.

Top 10% APU earned the 2026-27 Military Friendly® School designation with Gold Status, ranking in the top 10% of all institutions nationwide.

I learned to serve others well at APU and in the military, and now I’m blessed with the opportunity to serve others here in the communities that need it most.

Erick Quintanilla ’11, MM ’13

Watch Erick’s Reel