Campus Updates from Dr. Avila
Dear Gavilan Community,
The fall semester is off to a strong start. Seeing our campus filled with students is a reminder of the vital work we do and the immense impact it has on our community.
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, we honor the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and countless contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans. This month serves as a powerful reminder of the diversity that strengthens our nation and our campus. It is also a time to reaffirm our commitment to equity and to supporting our underrepresented students, who are essential to the fabric of Gavilan.
This year's celebration comes at a challenging time, as we face the loss of federal Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) funding. We had anticipated this possibility and have been actively reviewing budget scenarios and program priorities to mitigate its impact. Despite this setback, our commitment to serving underrepresented students and ensuring the success of all students remains unchanged.
I am deeply grateful for your dedication and resilience. Together, we will continue to move Gavilan forward and ensure our college remains a place where all students feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to achieve their dreams.
Kind regards,
Dr. Pedro Avila
Welcome our new student trustee, Joshua Williams
Joshua Williams is an Economics and Mathematics major at Gavilan College. He currently serves as the Student Trustee for the 2025–2026 academic year, representing the student body on the Board of Trustees.
After Gavilan, Josh plans to transfer to Stanford University to pursue a degree in Mathematics and Economics, with the long-term goal of earning a Ph.D. in Finance and working in quantitative asset management.
Fun fact: Before diving into student leadership and finance, Josh made waves in the music world as a Grammy-nominated producer. He has worked out of Jason Derulo’s studio in Los Angeles and even had one of his songs placed in a movie. When he is not crunching numbers or drafting policy, he enjoys sparking collaboration, whether it is in a studio, a classroom, or a boardroom.
Measure-X STEM Center Moving Forward
The new STEM building at Gavilan is moving forward under Measure X! At the September 9 Board of Trustees meeting, Gavilan College approved a design-build agreement with Swinerton/SmithGroup for our new STEM Center, funded by Measure X. This project will create a modern STEM facility with a dedicated indoor/outdoor makerspace and renovate the existing Life Sciences Building. Learn More
Accreditation Update
Gavilan College is preparing for its upcoming accreditation review, an important milestone that affirms the quality of our programs and services. Faculty, staff, and administrators have completed the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), reflecting the strength of our work and our shared commitment to meeting the highest standards. With this report finished, we are well positioned as we look ahead to the peer review visit in 2026.
Gavilan.edu Website Redesign
With 22 proposals submitted, Gavilan’s website redesign project is moving into the next stage. By September 25, the district will select a vendor to lead the redesign, which will launch this fall.
The goal is a modern, accessible site that reflects Gavilan’s mission and makes it easier for students and the community to find what they need.
Governance Taskforce Update
Over a year ago, we held a college-wide retreat to discuss improvements to our college governance and committee structure. A Governance Task Force, representing all constituencies (faculty, students, classified professionals, and management), was formed to make recommendations on improving our governance structure. The Governance Task Force is nearing completion of its review and recommendations to restructure and consolidate committees, as well as strengthen our governance processes. These recommended changes will make committee work clearer, more inclusive, and more effective, while keeping our focus on students at the center of decision-making. Soon, the task force will be sharing its recommendations with our constituency groups (Academic Senate, ASGC, CSEA, and Management) for feedback.
Members of this taskforce include:
Faculty: Cherise Mantia, Megan Wong, and Jessica Gatewood
Classified Professionals: Elizabeth San Ramon and Jacquie Martin
Students: Britney Chavez & Joshua Williams
Management: Dr. Renee Craig-Marius, Lucy Alvarez, and Dr. Pedro Avila</>
Explore Updates from each area through the links below
Human Resources - Lucy Alvarez
Administrative Services - Marilyn Morikang
Student Services - Dr. Renee Craig-Marius
Academic Affairs - Dr. Moaty Fayek