Texas A&M University–San Antonio has been named a Gold Recipient of the 2025 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA) by the Texas Veterans Commission. The award honors colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding support for military-connected students and their academic success.
This marks the fifth VEERA the University has received—four of which have been Gold, the highest level of distinction. Gold status is reserved for institutions that provide the most comprehensive and far-reaching services for veterans and their families.
“We’re very proud to be recognized as a Gold Award winner by the Texas Veterans Commission,” said Leah Musquiz, interim director of the University’s Office of Military Affairs. “It celebrates our commitment to our military-connected Jaguars and the strengths they bring to our campus community. This award reinforces that we’re doing the right thing and headed in the right direction.”
Musquiz was among several Military Affairs staff members who traveled to Fort Worth earlier this month to accept the award during the 17th annual Texas A&M University System Military-Affiliated Symposium. Established in 2011, the System Office of Veteran & Military Services promotes success for veterans and military-affiliated students through collaboration and shared resources across the A&M System’s campuses and agencies.
At A&M–San Antonio, 16 percent of the student body is military-connected, including about 500 student veterans. The University has a long-standing tradition of supporting service members and their families. In 2014, it opened Patriots’ Casa, a $12 million facility designed as a hub for military-affiliated services.
The Texas Veterans Commission, established in 1927, serves as the state’s appointed advocate for Texas veterans. Through VEERA, the commission annually evaluates institutions on a range of criteria—including academic support, campus engagement, and community outreach—and awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze recognition levels.