Gavilan President Dr. Pedro Avila
President Avila became Gavilan's 18th President upon approval from the Gavilan Joint Community Districts Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. As Gavilan president, Avila leads a team of senior staff including vice presidents and associate vice presidents of Instruction, Administrative Services, Student Services and the Public Information Office.
Previously, President Avila served as the Vice President of Student Services at Santa Rosa Junior College. He has worked in the community college system for 20 years and has led several successful initiatives to increase college-going rates for underrepresented student populations.
President Avila holds degrees in Latino studies and business from Fresno State University. A Master in Business Administration from Rockhurst University and a Certificate in Institutional Performance Assessment from Harvard’s Higher Education Institute. He holds a Doctorate in Community College Policy from the University of Maryland.
He was born and spent his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1984, his family emigrated to the US to find better opportunities. Like many migrant families, they experienced poverty and housing insecurity hardships.
His administrative experience includes serving as Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, Admissions & Records, and Information Systems at State Center Community College District. At West Hills Community College District, he served as Vice President of Student Services and Vice-Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness & Enrollment Management.
Dr. Avila’s work is grounded in his experiences as an immigrant, English-language learner, and first-generation college student.
Get to Know President Avila
President Avila is eager to get to know Gavilan students and the community, if you are interested in meeting with Dr. Avila during office hours, please contact Departmental Assistant Holly Strother (hstrother@gavilan.edu or 408.852.2803) in the President’s Office.