Always Be the Best at What’s Next: Dr. Marshall W. Thomas

Veteran Spotlight – VetFund Vice Chair and Marine Veteran

Marine veteran and VetFund Vice Chair Dr. Marshall W. Thomas has built his career helping California campuses better understand, support, and celebrate military-affiliated students. His message to veterans is as simple as it is powerful: Never let your last best thing be your last.

Serving Those Who Serve Students

As Director of Veterans Affairs and Student Accessibility Services for the California State University Office of the Chancellor, Marshall’s mission is clear: support the people who support veterans across 22 CSU campuses. He ensures each campus provides effective outreach, advising, benefits certification, and advocacy.

He also develops policies to help campuses meet state and federal requirements and represents CSU in statewide and national discussions on veterans’ education. “When we pass a state or federal law, I write the systemwide policy so campuses have direction and can meet those requirements,” he explains. His work bridges legislation with real-life impact for the veterans walking into classrooms every day.

VET NET Ally: Turning Understanding into Action

In 2009, Marshall developed VET NET Ally, a four-hour seminar that has been presented at more than 65 colleges and universities. Modeled after campus “Safe Zone” programs, VET NET Ally helps faculty, staff, and administrators understand military culture, the transition to civilian and student life, and the realities of VA benefits.

The goal is practical empathy, not just awareness but action. It is about helping the university community understand veterans’ experiences and creating environments where students not only reach their academic goals but also feel valued and connected, not singled out.

“Put the VET NET Ally decal on your office door or at the bottom of your syllabus,” he suggests, “and say: I’ve taken time to learn about these student populations. If you belong to one of them and want to talk, my door is open.”

The Making of a Leader

Marshall’s leadership philosophy was forged in the Marine Corps, where two lessons stuck:

• Take care of your people, and they’ll take care of the mission.

• Shield your team so they can do great work.

  
  

He often tells the story of two Gunnys, one who micromanaged and one who cleared obstacles and trusted his Marines. That trust gave Marshall the chance to take on a project far above his rank, leading a small team to rewire a high-speed digital switch system. The effort earned him a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and shaped how he leads today, with trust, support, and the belief that people do their best work when they are given the room to grow.

Continuing the Mission Through VetFund

Marshall joined the VetFund Board when a CSU trustee recommended him to ensure the education perspective was represented. Today, as newly elected Vice Chair, he continues to bridge the gap between higher education and the broader veteran community.

He sees VetFund as more than a nonprofit. It is a platform with the relationships and visibility to turn good ideas into tangible outcomes. “Everyone at VetFund has tools to support veterans,” he says. “Higher education is mine. I also get to see what the other tools are. And when I can’t solve something, I know a guy who can.”

That kind of teamwork, he adds, is what makes VetFund so effective, bringing together people from government, education, and business to expand opportunities for California’s veterans and their families.

“Never Let That Be the Last Best Thing You Ever Did”

Marshall’s advice for those transitioning from service is timeless: keep going.

“Your service may have been the most amazing thing you’ve done so far, but you have a lot of life left,” he says. “Be the best student, parent, or community member, whatever comes next.”

Dr. Thomas reminds us that growth doesn’t end with service — it begins there.