It takes one to know one, and for Jonathan Wagner, the Veteran Navigator at Clover Park Technical College, that familiarity has led to his success guiding and providing support for veteran students.

"I go the extra step because I see the need and that's why I get results," said Wagner, who spent five years in the military right out of high school. "I did this. I got out of the military and I know how hard the transition could be."

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs recently named him the 2014 Member of the Year. Wagner was chosen from a field of 53 veteran navigators serving student veterans in higher education institutions across the state.

Qualifications for member of the year include a demonstrated work performance where the member went above and beyond what is required; a positive attitude toward work responsibilities, Vet Corps team members, veteran students and serving as a role model for others; and acknowledging those whose efforts have inspired and supported the performance and achievement of others.

"People don't care what you know until they know that you care," Wagner stated. "An old boss said that to me when I was working with at-risk and runaway youth ... and it's always stuck with me. I try to work with that in mind."

Wagner's nomination came from his supervisor, Melissa Crouse, who is the South Sound Coordinator for WDVA Vet Corps.

Crouse cited Wagner's dedication and drive, for example how he consistently logs 10-hour days filled with a variety of activities that ranged from helping his peers with education, personal crisis, or financial questions, to hosting on and off campus veteran focus organizations that would not have anywhere else to meet.

In response, Wagner said that he is always willing to stay at the school longer if the students need something because that is what matters.

"It has been a true honor to have been able to work with Jonathan and support him while he changes and improves the lives of the students he encountered throughout the year," Crouse wrote, adding that he is a natural leader.

However, at the end of the day, Wagner remains humble and prefers to stand back - which is why he was surprised to learn that he won the award. Even better, when the Vet Corps powers that be learned Wagner would be unable to attend the official award presentation, they held a special meeting in order to present him with the plaque.

"I'm not the type of person who likes awards - you do the work because you should, not because you want the fifteen seconds of fame," he said. "My job is to ensure that the people I am serving get what they need, that's what makes CPTC stand out."

Sadly, CPTC will lose this valuable member of the team in the fall, as Wagner will be relocating out-of-state with his wife in September due to family issues. According to Wagner, he will most likely be seeking a job at a school again to continue his work with students, even if it does not involve veterans.