Campus Updates from Dr. Avila
Greetings Gavilan Community,
The beginning of a new academic year always brings renewed energy to Gavilan College.
Across the district, employees have been preparing classrooms, programs, services, and campus spaces for the return of our students. This work matters. Students may not see everything that happens behind the scenes, but they will feel it when they arrive and find people ready to help them succeed.
The start of the semester is also an opportunity to think about what we want to accomplish together. We are preparing to open new spaces, exploring new opportunities for students, and continuing to strengthen our connections throughout the communities we serve.
Thank you for the care and commitment you bring to this work. I look forward to seeing everyone this Friday at Convocation and to welcoming our students as we begin another successful year together.
With sincere gratitude,
Dr. Pedro Avila
Ready, Set, Gav & Gav Ready Welcome New Students
New students received support and an early introduction to college life during events at the Hollister and Gilroy locations.
Students met counselors, learned about financial aid and support services, explored college technology, toured the campus, and received practical guidance for beginning the semester.
Thank you our incredible teams and everyone who helped students begin their Gavilan experience feeling welcomed and prepared.
Fresh Pasta, Fresh Perspectives - The Management Team Looks Ahead
Our management team recently came together for a two-day retreat focused on strengthening relationships and preparing for the college’s next chapter.
The first day offered a different kind of team-building experience with Chef Carlos from Rebekah Children’s Services. Working together, the team learned how to make pasta from scratch, shared a meal, and had an opportunity to connect outside the usual pace of meetings and daily responsibilities.
The second day shifted from pasta-making to campus planning. The team spent the day discussing Gavilan’s current and future space needs. As our programs have grown, so have the ways students and employees use our facilities.
With the move into the new Library and Student Resource Center approaching, the retreat provided an important opportunity to consider how existing spaces can be used more effectively and how programs can be housed appropriately. The conversation brought together perspectives from across the college and helped build a clearer picture of the decisions and opportunities ahead.
The retreat reflected the creativity, collaboration, and shared commitment that will guide Gavilan through its next phase of growth.
Gavilan College at the Garlic Festival
Gavilan College joined community members and visitors from around the world at this year’s Gilroy Garlic Festival.
The festival provided an opportunity to connect with prospective students, families, alumni, and community partners while celebrating one of our region’s most recognizable traditions. It was especially impressive to meet people who had traveled from across the country and internationally to experience the event.
Our Outreach team and campus volunteers represented Gavilan throughout the festival, answering questions, sharing information about college programs and services.
These volunteers are crucial in helping visitors learn more about the opportunities available close to home.
Events like the Garlic Festival strengthen Gavilan’s connection to the community and remind us of the important role the college plays throughout our region.
From Gratitude to Greatness
The Gavilan College Foundation recently brought students, families, donors, and college employees together for its annual From Gratitude to Greatness scholarship dinner.
This year, 83 students received 115 scholarships totaling $103,000. Two students were also recognized as recipients of the $40,000 Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award, which will support their transfer to UC Santa Cruz.
The evening celebrated the hard work and determination of Gavilan students as well as the generosity of the donors who believe in their potential. Each scholarship provides meaningful financial support while reminding students that their community is invested in their success.
The event reflected what is possible when a college and its community come together to expand opportunity and help students take their next steps with confidence.
Community College Leaders Convene
The third annual Community College Latine CEO Convening, hosted by COLEGAS, brought together community college leaders from across California for conversations about leadership, student success, and the future of higher education.
The event featured several excellent presenters, including Dr. Jackie Cruz, who leads the successful foundation operation at Hartnell College, and Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, former chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District.
The convening created a valuable opportunity for leaders to share their experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen the work taking place across California’s community colleges.
Gavilan Community Discusses Wrestling
Students, families, coaches, alumni, and community members recently gathered in the Small APE Gym for a town hall about the possibility of establishing men’s and women’s wrestling programs at Gavilan College.
The conversation provided an opportunity to hear directly from the community, answer questions, and explore the interest and support that could help bring collegiate wrestling to our region.
With a strong wrestling tradition in the communities surrounding Gavilan, the town hall marked an important step in considering how the college could create a local pathway for student-athletes to continue competing while pursuing their education.
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Planning for the Year Ahead
The Board of Trustees, ASGC, and Student Services each recently held retreats focused on their priorities for the coming year.
Although each group approached the work from a different perspective, the retreats created valuable time for reflection, discussion, and planning. These conversations help ensure that the college’s goals remain connected to the experiences of students and the needs of the communities we serve.
The ideas developed during these retreats will help guide the work ahead as Gavilan begins a new academic year.
Human Resources - Lucy Alvarez
Administrative Services - Marilyn Morikang
Student Services - Dr. Renee Craig-Marius
Academic Affairs - Dr. Moaty Fayek
Kind Regards,
Dr. Pedro Avila
Superintendent/President
5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard | Gilroy, CA 95020
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