HSI Cluster Hire

Full-time Faculty Cluster Hire Website Announcement

Gavilan College Cluster Hire – 2023

As an institution committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism, Gavilan College proudly embarked on a journey to hire full-time faculty with a demonstrated history of working with and supporting the Latinx community and communities historically underrepresented and underserved in higher education. This effort allows us to deepen our commitment to racial equity, act on our values and empower our students and campus community by creating a greater sense of belonging.

Dr. Pedro Avila, Gavilan College Superintendent/President, states, “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we have a responsibility to meet the needs of our students. This cluster hire is a bold statement and commitment from our faculty and institution to improve diversity and hire the most culturally competent and experienced faculty to serve students. Our cluster hires will have a strong influence on shaping the culture of Gavilan college and build a stronger sense of community that will attract, engage, and help students succeed.”

Cluster Hire Requirements (in addition to minimum qualifications):

In order to be considered for this initiative, candidates must satisfy three or more of the following criteria:

Has demonstrated commitment to engaging in service with populations historically underrepresented and underserved in higher education, particularly the Hispanic/Latinx community.
Has demonstrated knowledge of barriers for Hispanic/Latinx students.
Has experience or has demonstrated commitment to teaching, supporting, and/or mentoring Hispanic/Latinx students and/or communities historically underrepresented and underserved in higher education.
Has experience in or has demonstrated commitment to extending awareness of opportunities and strategies in achieving success to Hispanic/Latinx students and/or communities historically underrepresented and underserved in higher education.
Has created research, scholarship, media, art, or cultural/political engagement opportunities with the Hispanic/Latinx community and/or communities historically underrepresented and underserved in higher education.
Has skills in developing cross-cultural and anti-racist communication, collaboration, and pedagogy.

From this search, eight instructors were hired in full-time faculty positions.

Meet the 2023 Cluster Faculty

	Veronica Andrade Full-time Communication Studies Faculty Veronica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from San Jose State University, a Master of Education degree from the University of San Diego, and a Master of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Alabama. Her diverse educational background in both secondary and higher education brings a unique perspective to her teaching. Veronica has been an integral part of our college community since 2017, initially as an adjunct Communication Studies Instructor and most recently as an Interim Full-Time Instructor. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to equity and inclusivity throughout her teaching career, ensuring that her learning materials and activities are accessible and welcoming to all students. Veronica's dedication to education has been recently recognized by being named Educator of the Year by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce in 2021.
	Dr. Jesús Ramírez Full-time Philosophy Faculty Dr. Jesus Ramirez earned a PhD in Philosophy from the University of South Florida in 2019. He received an MA in 2008 and a BA in 2004 from San José State University (SJSU), both in Philosophy. His passion for the discipline began when he was a 19-year-old undergraduate student at SJSU. Dr. Ramírez’s commitment to it continues as a teacher. Since 2007, he has taught a variety of courses at universities and community colleges around the Bay Area and Tampa Bay Area. Additionally, he writes and publishes articles on Ethics, Existentialism, Latin American Philosophy, and Philosophy of Race. Born and raised in San José, Dr. Ramírez loves spending time with his family, hiking on Bay Area trails, and reading literature.
	Nicolette Boyd Full-Time Cosmetology Faculty A Gavilan Alumni, Nicolette Boyd is a driven hair stylist with over 20 years of experience in salons. She has dedicated the last 11 years to Gavilan as an adjunct in the cosmetology department, where she has unleashed her passion for creating, teaching, and leading students to develop to their full potential.
	Elise Peeren Full-time ESL Faculty A passionate English as a Foreign Language teacher with 16 years of experience, Elise Peeren has taught students of all backgrounds, ages and levels, including university, college, high school, private language school, and business. Coming from a multicultural and multilingual family, Elise recognizes the power of language in being able to access opportunities, thrive and succeed. In addition to teaching EFL, she has led an internationally recognized teacher training program. Outside of teaching, Elise loves to create art (illustration, painting), stay active through hiking and yoga, bake (she was trained in Paris), travel, and spend time with her family and friends.
	Eric Lopez Full-time Adapted Physical Education Faculty Eric Lopez is the Adapted Physical Education (APE) instructor as well as the Department Chair for the Accessible Education Center. Eric has worked at Gavilan College as part-time faculty since 2016. He started working in the Kinesiology department then in 2018, switched over to the Adapted PE program and has enjoyed every minute of it. Eric believes that working with students with disabilities is his calling in life and he feels at home in the Adapted PE program. He is continuously looking for ways that he can help students lead a better life through health and wellness. Eric’s research has been published in two major sports medicine journals titled, The Reliability of the Anaerobic Power Dummy Throw Test in High School Wrestlers: A Pilot Study.
	Michelle Bundros Full-time Biology Faculty Michelle Bundros achieved her MS degree in Biology with an emphasis in Physiology from San Jose State in May of 2021. She acquired her BS degree in Agriculture majoring in Veterinary Science and minoring in Microbiology from University of Arizona in 2000. Quite the gap between degrees! For the last 24 years Michelle has worked in the Veterinary industry as a Registered Veterinary Technician (just think RN but for animals, plus dental hygienist, radiology technician, etc.), as well as being a mom to three wonderful children. In 2015, she began teaching for a Veterinary Technology program. Michelle enjoyed teaching so much, that she went back to school in 2019 to earn a Master's degree to be able to teach subjects in Biological Sciences. She is absolutely thrilled to be teaching for Gavilan College!
	Catherine Ames Full-time Water Management Faculty Catherine Ames has taught numerous courses in the Water Resources Department at Gavilan College over the past 6 years and has enjoyed becoming a part-time instructor. Besides teaching, Catherine is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer for the state of California. She began her career in structural engineering and switched to general civil engineering, where she specialized in storm water compliance, water resources and environmental engineering. Catherine began her higher education at Gavilan College and obtained an Associate Arts degree. She continued her educational journey by obtaining a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from San Jose State University.
	Elizabeth Flores Full-time STEM Counselor Faculty Elizabeth Flores was born in Los Angeles; graduated with her bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science and Sociology and a master's degree in Education Counseling from San Jose State University. She has 20 years of combined work experience in education with high schools, community colleges, and a university. Elizabeth strives to continue her work as an educator to assist diverse communities in reaching academic, career, and economic success. Elizabeth started at Gavilan College as the TRiO Counselor and transitioned to General Counseling and the Homeless and Housing Insecure Program with El Centro. In addition, Elizabeth also has worked in various Bay Area colleges, including support programs, general counseling, and STEM. Nonetheless, her biggest accomplishment and role today is raising her kids; she is a wife and a mother of two boys whom she loves endlessly.