Three city employees recognized for public service and educational achievement in partnership with California Coast Credit Union

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National University (NU) — a nonprofit working, military, and nontraditional student–serving institution that supports 50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development learners annually — announced today that City of San Diego employees Officer Alexander Marquez, Julie Alcantar, and Alan Jones have been awarded the 2025 City of San Diego/National University Professional Development Scholarships, presented jointly with California Coast Credit Union (Cal Coast).

"At National University, we proudly serve 'ANDers™' — students who are working AND studying, serving AND pursuing higher education, or balancing multiple life responsibilities while advancing their education," said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University. "City of San Diego employees exemplify these learners. They strengthen our community every day while striving to grow their knowledge and skills. We are honored to partner with the city to support these scholarship recipients on their academic journeys."

As part of the City of San Diego's effort to expand educational and professional development opportunities, the city designated National University as its Preferred Employee Education Program Partner in 2014. Through this partnership, all city employees receive a 25 percent tuition scholarship to be applied to National University associate, bachelor's, and master's programs.

"The strength of our city comes from the people who show up every day to serve it — that's why we're committed to investing in their growth," said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. "This scholarship program helps our employees deepen their skills and continue building careers that make a real difference for San Diegans. I'm grateful to National University and California Coast Credit Union for supporting this work."

National University is committed to supporting the city's workforce through additional education benefits and competitive scholarships presented in partnership with California Coast Credit Union. Each year, three or more city employees who demonstrate exceptional public service and engagement in the community are selected to receive the City of San Diego/National University Professional Development Scholarships.

As the 2025 full-tuition scholarship recipient, Officer Alexander Marquez serves with the San Diego Police Department as a SWAT primary response team officer and is pursuing a Bachelor of Criminal Justice.

"I am honored to receive this scholarship," Marquez said. "Balancing my duties as a SWAT officer and pursuing a degree is challenging, but this support makes it possible for me to continue developing my skills and contributing to the safety and well-being of our community."

The two additional finalists, Julie Alcantar and Alan Jones, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship from National University and a $2,500 scholarship from California Coast Credit Union.

Alcantar, a court support clerk in the City Attorney's Office, is pursuing her educational goals to strengthen her professional impact.

"Receiving this scholarship is an incredible opportunity," Alcantar said. "It motivates me to continue learning and growing in my career while serving the city and its residents."

Jones, a water operations supervisor in the Public Utilities Department, plans to enhance his expertise in public service operations.

"This scholarship allows me to pursue my education while continuing to lead and serve in my department," Jones said. "It is an investment in both my professional growth and the community I serve."

The scholarship recipients were recognized during a Dec. 9 ceremony and luncheon at National University's Carroll Canyon campus. Attendees included Mayor Todd Gloria, Police Chief David Wahl, Kris McFadden, Juan Guerreiro, Lisa Celaya, Julie Rasco, Heather Ferbert, Jon Terwilliger, Sarah Brenha, Liz Barat, and leaders from National University and Cal Coast Credit Union. Remarks were provided by Dr. Milliron, Mayor Gloria, Kyra Seay, vice president of community relations and business development for Cal Coast, and Dr. Christopher Graham, executive vice president of workforce and community education at National University.

About National University
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 250,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University's new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.

Media Contact

Ashleigh Betz, National University, 7608893494, abetz@nu.edu, https://www.nu.edu/

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SOURCE National University