Campus Updates from Dr. Avila
Greetings Gavilan Community,
We often evaluate a college through statistics, data, and institutional results. However, the most profound way to truly understand an institution is to witness the heart of its work firsthand.
The visiting accreditation team has now concluded its visit to Gavilan College. Their final comments reflected something many of us experience every day: a college community deeply committed to helping students succeed. They recognized the daily work that takes place across all our campuses.
Preparing for accreditation requires monumental teamwork. I want to extend my deepest thanks to Dr. Fayek, Victoria Masey, and my executive team for their leadership. More importantly, I want to thank the many students, faculty, classified professionals, and managers who poured their time and energy into the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report. I am truly grateful for the dedication you showed throughout this process. You made this success possible!
February also gave us a meaningful opportunity to celebrate Black History Month. It was a time to honor the history and accomplishments of Black individuals and communities while deepening our understanding of the diverse perspectives that make Gavilan stronger. These moments of reflection remind us why our mission of equity and education is so vital.
I would also like to welcome David Godoy as our new CSEA President. I look forward to continuing to work with CSEA to support the classified professionals who contribute so much to our college community.
As we move through March, I want to express how much I value our continued collaboration. Thank you for everything you do to support our students and the communities we serve.
With sincere gratitude,
Dr. Pedro Avila
Community Visibility and Engagement
Black History Month
During February, Gavilan College joined community partners in recognizing Black History Month and celebrating the contributions and achievements of Black leaders and communities. We had the opportunity to attend the BeProximity Black Excellence celebration, an inspiring evening focused on community, leadership, and recognition. Events like this remind us of the importance of listening, learning, and continuing to strengthen our connections with the communities we serve.
Basic Needs Team Earns National Recognition
Congratulations to our Basic Needs team, who were selected as a Bellwether Award finalist for their outstanding work supporting students experiencing food insecurity. The team recently represented Gavilan College at the national Bellwether Awards competition in San Antonio, where they shared the impact of our Basic Needs program and the support it provides to students.
Their work reflects the same commitment to student success that our recent accreditation visiting team recognized during their time on campus. The team specifically noted the holistic and comprehensive ways Gavilan supports students, and the Basic Needs program is a powerful example of that work in action. We are proud of the team for representing Gavilan College on the national stage and for the important difference they continue to make in the lives of our students.
The Gavilan Youth Piano Competition
Gavilan College was proud to host its annual Youth Piano Competition, welcoming talented young musicians from across the region to our campus. The competition brought together students, families, teachers, and community members to celebrate the dedication and artistry of these performers.
Events like this are a wonderful reminder of the important role the arts play in education and in our community. Watching these young musicians share their passion and talent was truly inspiring, and we are grateful to the faculty, staff, and volunteers who helped make the event possible.
Gavilan College is honored to provide a space where students can showcase their abilities and where our community can come together to celebrate music and creativity.
March Students of the Month
This month, we're proud to honor Britney Chavez Soriano and Joshua Williams as the March 2026 Students of the Month. Britney and Josh have each demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to the student body. Through her work as ASGC President, Britney has helped create a stronger sense of student voice and belonging on campus. As Student Trustee, Josh has advanced advocacy efforts that support students both on campus and beyond. Their commitment to serving others reflects the very best of Gavilan College.
Accreditation Visit
This month, Gavilan College welcomed our accreditation visiting team. During their time on campus, the team met with faculty, staff, administrators, and students and learned more about the work happening across the district. In their closing remarks, they noted the strength of our college community and the holistic, comprehensive ways our programs support students.
The team also identified several areas where we will continue strengthening our efforts, including employee evaluations, institutional planning, and distance education. Their feedback provides a clear path for continued improvement as we build on the strong foundation already in place at Gavilan College.
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
Dr. Pedro Avila
Superintendent/President
5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard | Gilroy, CA 95020
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