Jeno Jorgensen made history on June 5, 2026, when he stepped up to the podium to deliver the valedictorian address at the Santiago Canyon College (SCC) commencement ceremony held at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange. Jorgensen, a 41-year-old husband and father of two, served in the U.S.
Marine Corps for 12 years and became the first military veteran student from SCC to be named valedictorian.
He earned this distinction by achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA while completing two associate degrees—one in psychology and one in child development. But Jorgensen is just getting started.
"I'm going to learn to be a psychologist, and I'm going to open my own therapy centers, and I'm going to change veterans care," Jorgensen said. "When I say I want something, I'm going to do everything I can to get it done."
Jorgensen plans to apply for California's Wellness Coach Program immediately after graduation. In the fall, he will attend Cal State Fullerton to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology while continuing his work with veterans.
His ultimate goal is to open therapy centers and develop resources—including an app he is already building—to provide more meaningful support for veterans.
Adam McManamy, adviser of the Student Veterans of America's SCC chapter and student services coordinator of TRiO Veterans, said Jorgensen has devoted his time, energy, and experience to the Veterans Services programs. "He's a big presence," McManamy said.
"You always know when he's in the room. He is always genuine and caring.
He helps us steer the ship."
Jorgensen's self-driven demeanor began taking shape as a child growing up on the South Side of Chicago. He describes his childhood as difficult, and he was kicked out of his home at age 15—a turning point he attributes to a mix of family issues and his own behavior.
"I wasn't necessarily the best of kids," Jorgensen said. "But at the same time, we also had a lot of family issues."
While in high school, Jorgensen worked multiple jobs, staying at friends' or girlfriends' houses. Seeing the need for direction and discipline, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003.
"I wanted to give myself a life," he said. "And I wanted to go fight in the war (in Iraq) at the time."
During his 12-plus years in the Corps, Jorgensen was deployed to 23 countries, including three combat zones, before finishing his service as a Marine Corps recruiter in Santa Ana. "It taught me that the world is a really, truly big place, and we're all from very, very different experiences and backgrounds," he said.
"It instilled in me leadership and how to lead men into different areas, and of course, discipline myself to better myself for the future."
After leaving the military in 2016, he built a successful civilian career as an operations manager in the aerospace industry, overseeing 50 employees and $30 million in inventory. He also became involved with local veterans groups, where he learned of fellow veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life.
When he learned that some of his Marine buddies had died by suicide, he felt compelled to act. "It showed me that veteran care really needs to change," Jorgensen said, convinced that proper support systems could have prevented these crises.
These incidents, combined with his own mental health struggles and the emotional fallout many veterans felt after the Afghanistan withdrawal, pushed him to pursue psychology with the goal of transforming veteran care. The first step was earning two degrees at SCC.
During his valedictorian speech, Jorgensen recounted his own journey and returning to school after 15 years away from education. He talked about struggle, perseverance, the need to belong, and the humility required to learn from others.
He also praised SCC and the veterans support services at the college. "Programs like the vet center exist because for decades, community colleges have been a place where veterans, and people starting over, can rebuild and move forward," he said.
"I felt that from day one."