Welcome to Gavilan College STEM
STEM Webpage Announcements
STEM Academy Applications are open!
Submission deadline is July 31st, 2025. Apply to be part of STEM Academy using this application here.
Summer STEM Counseling
Appointments are available to meet with STEM Counselors from May 27th until Aug 20th. Dates and Times vary; the schedule is updated often. Click here to schedule an appointment.
MESA Applications are Open!
Current Gavilan College students, are you a first-generation STEM student? Apply to be part of MESA using this application here.
MESA Week Zero Applications are Open!
High School Graduating Class of 2025, you are invited to be part of MESA Week Zero from 7/28/25-8/1/25! Learn more and apply here. Deadline to apply is June 29, 2025.
Frequently Visited Places:
Learn More About STEM:
Summer & Fall 2025
Summer 2025
Tutoring will be offered in person & online. See the STEM Center webpage for more info!
Fall 2025 (Reminder: first day of fall is 8/25/25)
Prepare for Math with an Early Fall Start 1-week In Person Math Bootcamp. Enroll in & complete an early fall start Math Bootcamp at the Gilroy Campus.
- MATH 217- Preparation for Transfer Level Math
- 8/14/2025 - 8/20/2025 from 9 am - 4:10 pm
- Prepare for MATH 6, 7, 8A, 15 & STAT C1000
- MATH 219A- Preparation for Calculus I
- 8/11/2025 - 8/15/2025 from 9 am-4:10 pm
- Prepare for MATH 8B, 1A, 1B or 1C
- MATH 414 - Immersion of Math Immersion Review - Basic Concepts Level 2
- 8/11/2025 - 8/13/2025 from 9am-3pm
- Prepare for basic math to Algebra II and STAT C1000
Strengthen your math skills with a weekend Math Refresher course. Strengthen your skills for MATH 8A, 8B, 15, MATH 1A, 1B
- MATH 412A- Math Refresher Part 1
- 9/26/2025 - 9/27/2025
- Friday session from 4 pm - 7:50 pm & Saturday session from 10 am - 2:50 pm
- MATH 412B- Math Refresher Part 2
- 10/24/2025 - 10/25/2025
- Friday session from 4 pm - 7:50 pm & Saturday session from 10 am - 02:50 pm
Math Sections with linked Support Courses
See the fall schedule of classes here.
- MATH 1A (CRN 10083) with MATH 201A- Calculus 1 Support (CRN 12357)
- MATH 6 (CRN 11864) with MATH 216: Business Calculus Support (CRN 12124)
- MATH 8A (CRN 10140) with MATH 218: Precalculus Support
- STAT C1000 (CRN 12728) with MATH 215: Statistics Support (CRN 11123)
- STAT C1000 (CRN 12729) with MATH 215: Statistics Support (CRN 11857)
STEM Tutoring & Support
STEM Center, MathLab, and Tutoring
The STEM Center is located in room MA102 and offers a space for to students to study, get help, and socialize with other STEM students. Peer tutors, faculty, and staff are available to help answer student questions in various STEM classes such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, & Physics.
The Math Lab is located next door to the STEM Center in room MA101 and provides students 22 available PC's with engineering and statistical software for course labs. This space also hosts Academic Excellence Workshops, Math Refreshers, and overflow tutoring.
Gaining access to tutoring has been proven to help students obtain better grades and insight into techniques or tutor perspectives to assist students in their academics!
Learn about the STEM RefreshersInformation about the STEM Center
Learn more about the STEM Center and Math Lab tutoring spaces.
STEM Counseling
Gavilan College offers two specialized STEM counselors who will ensure the support of achieving your academic goals in your STEM field of study.
Students who utilize our STEM counselors gain the benefit of "being in the know" and are included in email newsletters of internship opportunities, STEM workshops, conferences, and other networking opportunities.
Information about the STEM Center
Follow the link to learn more about the STEM Counseling: STEM Counseling
Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA)
The MESA community college program can provide academic support to help you excel in these subjects and transfer to a university to continue your studies.
MESA's goal is to support educationally disadvantaged and historically under-represented undergraduate community college students and develop a new generation of STEM leaders in California.
The MESA program at Gavilan College provides not only services but also a culture and community geared toward student success in STEM disciplines. We are here to help you succeed!
Information about MESA
Follow the link to learn more about MESA: Gavilan MESA
Academics
STEM Degrees
From the biology of how our planet's ecosystems operate, to the massive industry that is computing with computer science, STEM Degrees are available here at Gavilan College.
Use the new STEM Program Mapper for Academic Pathways in the following STEM degrees:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
STEM Tutoring Services & Workshops
Tutoring services can help students become better at their academics, and can have the opportunity to become a tutor themselves.
Tutoring
Tutors specialize in a variety of STEM subjects, and there are a variety of places to gain STEM Tutoring such as:
- The STEM Center which specializes in anything STEM
- The Math Lab specializes in the wonderful world of math, including statistics, calculus, algebra, and anything in between.
- MESA Support, to help with any questions you have and to become connected with a counselor.
Academic Excellence Workshops (AEWs)
AEWs are geared towards students to gain a refresher on topics to be prepared for their courses! Usually, they appear before the Spring and Fall semesters, but there are occurrences that appear mid-semester such as the "Math Refresher" workshops.
Stay tuned for any upcoming workshops for Spring 2025 semester.
Learn more about the tutoring services and workshops we offer
Go to the STEM Center/Math Lab/MESA Support page to get help with your STEM studies and questions!
The STEM Academy
What is the STEM Academy?
The STEM Academy is community support from instructors, counselors, and peers for STEM Students! The STEM Academy gives students resources to books, academic workshops to boost STEM skills, and mentors to specific majors.
Eligibility
- Have an overall 2.5 GPA
- Must be a declared STEM major
- Prior to joining, the student must complete ALL steps below:
- Meet with the STEM Academy Director
- Register and compete for an early-start Math Boot Camp (MATH 217 or 219)
- Register for a math course (College Algebra, PreCalculus, or Calculus) for the upcoming semester
- Attend a STEM Academy Orientation
- Sign the STEM Academy Contract
Applications are now open for Fall 2025! Apply here: STEM Academy Application
Benefits
The following are some benefits a student can receive from the STEM Academy:
- STEM Family Community
- Faculty and Peer Mentor resources
- Lending Library to borrow books, technology, and various supplies
- Financial awards for participation
- Exclusive internship opportunities
- Regular check-ins and wraparound help
How to join the Spring '25 STEM Academy
- Compete the STEM Academy Application.
- Enroll in & complete a spring early start Math Bootcamp. See example from the fall semester schedule for details below.
- The Precalculus Academy: Eligible if enrolling in MATH 8A, MATH 8B, MATH 15 this fall
- Enroll in MATH 217—Preparation for Transfer Level Math, CRN 12353, with instructor Elena Dachkova, will be offered from Thursday, 8/15, to Wednesday, 8/21, from 9 am to 4:10 pm in LS 106, with a half-hour lunch break.
- The Calculus Academy: Eligible if enrolling in MATH 1A, MATH 1B, or MATH 1C this fall
- Enroll in MATH 219—Preparation for Calculus I Bootcamp, CRN 12438 with Marla Dresch, will be offered from Monday, 8/12, to Friday, 8/16, from 9 am to 4:10 pm in MA102, with a half-hour lunch break.
- The Precalculus Academy: Eligible if enrolling in MATH 8A, MATH 8B, MATH 15 this fall
- Enroll in a math fall section of:
- The Precalculus Academy: Enroll in MATH 8A, 8B, or 15.
- The Calculus Academy: Enroll in MATH 1A, MATH 1B, or MATH 1C
- Attend a STEM Academy Orientation led by STEM Counselors Elizabeth Flores and Vania Parakati.
Questions about joining? Contact STEM Academy Director, Marla Dresch at mdresch@gavilan.edu, or STEM Counselors Vania Parakati at vparakati@gavilan.edu, or Elizabeth Flores (bilingual) at eflores@gavilan.edu.
Circle of Champions
Gavilan College has been awarded a $375,000 grant from U.S. National Science Foundation. The grant is part of the national Innovation in Two-Year College in STEM Education (ITYC) program.
"This funding will empower us to implement innovative support strategies to strengthen our commitment to STEM education," said Dr. Pedro Avila, Gavilan Superintendent/President. "We are grateful for this recognition and the invaluable support it provides as we continue to nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers."
The Circle of Champions Network helps students identify the natural cheerleaders in their lives, bringing them in as Champions. The Network facilitates relationships between students and their champions, creating an environment where students feel a greater sense of support on their academic journeys.
This spring semester, we have the MESA program and six courses implementing this project as part of an assignment/membership requirement:
- CHEM 1B- Rachel Moller (2 sections)
- ENGR 10- Clifford Hwang
- MATH 1B- Sejal Dharia
- MATH 1B-Marla Dresch
- MATH 8B-Erik Medina
We'd like to recognize and thank our dean, staff, faculty, and peer leaders for their work in guiding students through the registration process and encouraging them to connect with their champions. This grant is a testament to our dedication to student success and innovation in STEM education. Thank you for your work making opportunities like this possible!
Please feel free to see the Circle of Champions Network .
Gavilan STEM Alumni Voices
Spanning across a decade of talented graduates, Gavilan STEM alumni share their student experiences and the transformational process that took place to achieve their academic and career goals. More testimonials can be read in the current issue of the Gavilan STEM Alumni Magazine.
Student Experiences
Laura Leon
Graduated at:
Gavilan: May 2018
A.S. Degree in Mathematics
San Jose State University: May 2021
B.S. Electrical Engineering
Application Engineer
About of Laura Leon
The best thing about Gavilan College is the teacher's dedication to helping their students succeed.
My experience at Gavilan College was phenomenal because I had a great support system and made great connections with people.
What I love about working as an Application Engineer is learning how the technology gets applied in the real world and seeing how a product goes from concept to production.
My degree in Electrical Engineering has allowed me to explore different areas in industry and be a part of creating world-changing technology.
My advice to a student interested in a STEM field: Don’t be afraid to explore and try something new. It’s ok if you don’t know, just ask questions.
My favorite STEM moment from Gavilan: Joining the STEM Center as a Math Tutor was a great experience and always my favorite place in Gavilan.
Vincent Alfonseca
Transferred from Gavilan Spring 2015
BS in Mechanical Engineering from SJSU (2018)
Mechanical Design Engineer at Lin Engineering
About Vincent Alfonseca
The best thing about Gavilan College is the passion of the instructors.
My experience at Gavilan College was long but rewarding.
What I love about working in a STEM related job is the ability to design and create something that can be used for practical purposes.
My degree in mechanical engineering has allowed me to find a career in mechatronics.
My advice to a student interested in a STEM field is that if you are not tired, you are doing it wrong.
My favorite STEM moment from Gavilan is attending SACNAS conferences.
Dr. Joshua Sanchez
Graduated at:
Gavilan: May 2010
AA Biology
UC Berkley: May 2013
BS Microbial Biology
Western University in 2019 for
Dentistry
About Dr. Joshua Sanchez
The best thing about Gavilan College is the community and professors who care about your education.
My experience at Gavilan College was the foundation I built my career from. I found my love for science and medicine.
What I love about working in Dentistry is solving problems, diagnosing disease, and getting to meet and help so many people.
My degree in dentistry has allowed me to help those in our community and mentor others pursuing health fields.
My advice to a student interested in a STEM field:
Don’t worry about the time. I spent 4 years at Gavilan getting prepared to transfer to UC Berkeley. Remind yourself to enjoy learning sciences.
My favorite STEM moment from Gavilan:
The community and the club Science Alliance. Some of my best friends I met at Gavilan college.
Dr. Melinda Soares
Graduated at:
Gavilan: May 2008
AA degree in Liberal Studies
UC Santa Cruz: May 2014
BS Physics
Princeton University:
May 2016: Masters in Astrophysical
Sciences
May 2020: PhD in Astrophysical
Sciences
Fellowships:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2020 - 2021
NASA Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship
2021-2024
About Dr. Melinda Soares
There are nearly 1,000 community colleges in the United States, together serving over 12 million students. These institutions provide a critical public service, allowing students to embark upon their educational goals in a radically supportive environment and without the debt burden that would accompany enrollment at a traditional university.
As a student at Gavilan College, I laid the foundation for my career as an astrophysicist. This is true both in terms of the early technical training I received in physics and mathematics, as well as the professional mentoring that was provided by dedicated instructors like Marlene Dwyer, Elena Dachkova, and Ken Wagman.
As a first-generation college student, the community of peers and advisors I found in Gavilan College's Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Community College Program was instrumental to my success, inspiring me to envision a future for myself as a scientist. If I had to summarize the "best" thing about Gavilan College, I would have to say it is the college's resounding commitment to equitable, accessible, and transformative educational outcomes. This is made possible by the exemplary instruction (the best I've received to date), idyllic natural setting, and collegiate cultural environment.
In a world abound with empty mission statements and virtue signaling, Gavilan College is a rare place where educators are actively living their ideals of democratic citizenship and the pursuit of educational excellence. Gavilan College campus still feels like home when I visit today, and somehow this familiar, comfortable setting never ceases to inspire me to be a better, more interdependent version of myself.
Elliott Picone
Transferred in 2020
Currently at UC Santa Cruz
in Computer Science
About Elliot Picone
Best thing about Gavilan College:
There are so many amazing things at Gavilan I don't know where to start. What I love about Gavilan is the
individual attention that the teachers provide. Every single class at Gavilan was taught by a teacher who deeply cared about his/her students. Honorable mention to the cafeteria burritos.
My Experience at Gavilan:
My experience at Gavilan was the most memorable form of education I have ever received. I came to Gavilan after having failed out of a private college. In the beginning I almost failed out of Gavilan too. I took an algebra 2 class with Marla and a Japanese class with Fujita Sensei as my last ditch effort to remain enrolled and those two classes, changed my life forever. The quality of instruction at Gavilan is unmatched. It is a smaller school but this allows for the instructors to properly teach the students, motivate them, and provide them with all sorts of opportunities within the school. I quickly developed a passion for math which led me, in the end of my time at Gavilan, to become a tutor in the Math Lab and complete calculus 2 with a very high grade. I made lifelong friends and memories at Gavilan, going to school there was the best thing I have ever done for myself and my future.
What I Love about Working in Computer Science:
- I love to solve puzzles. Math and STEM in general can be extremely intimidating, I can remember a time where I thought
I would never be able to accomplish the things I have accomplished at Gavilan. For some people, computer science seems like an impossible thing to learn, but when taken piece by piece, it can be extremely fun and fulfilling. When I finish a program, I feel a sense of accomplishment that I was able to make the computer do a specific task. Computer science is by no means
easy, but with enough grit and passion, it can be a fun and interesting career to pursue.
My Degree has allowed me to...
My degree at the moment has not allowed me to do anything because I am not quite finished. I can say that if you are at all interested in teaching people basic computer science or math in general, the math lab is a great opportunity to make good money and have fun doing it at the same time.
My Advice to a Student Interested in STEM:
My advice would be to not think of having a STEM degree as an insurmountable task that requires an almost impossible amount of work in addition to lots of suffering. In the beginning of calculus, Marla gave us a sheet of paper defining the idea of "grit". Grit was not about grinding through work tirelessly or staying up all night cramming for a test. Grit in STEM is about consistency. You must have the ability to take one topic at a time, small bites one could call it. To be successful in STEM you must not allow yourself to be overwhelmed, you have to schedule time during the day to master each topic and soon enough when the test comes around, you are prepared because you have practiced all the concepts over a long period of time. All in all, I would advise a potential STEM student to stay organized, stay consistent, do not be too hard on yourself, have grit, and take one day at a time.
My Favorite STEM moment:
In the summer of possibly 2018 I was participating in a summer program called "STEM academy". The students admitted earned a considerable sum of money for agreeing to doing a math bootcamp over the summer and clocking in a certain amount of hours in the STEM center every week. During the boot camp we had a fun little project where each team had to make a paper airplane out of straws, paper, tape etc. We had a big competition outside and it was tons of fun. I also love to remember the days during the school year where my fellow STEM academy friends would meet in the STEM center after class in the afternoon. We would share snacks and start the homework together, often arguing what the right answer was to all sorts of questions which would lead us to making giant equations on the chalkboards to compare everyone's answers close up.
James Barnson
Transferred in 2021 with an
AA in Natural Sciences
Currently at UC Santa Cruz for
Technology And Information
Management
About James Barnson
The STEM Academy was instrumental in my success at Gav. The support and community helped me keep moving toward my degree when my classes got hard. I never felt alone in my struggles as a student, and I was able to pass classes I never thought I’d even pass the prerequisites for.
I can honestly say that the best part of my time at Gavilan was being a part of the STEM Academy.
My advice to anyone interested in getting a STEM degree at Gav would be to join the Academy and stick with it.
Gavilan and STEM Upcoming Events
3/20/25- SHPETinas Career Panel at 12:30p m -2pm in the LS 101
Breaking Barriers and Building Community within the field of STEM. Hosted and sponsored by the SHPE Club, MESA Program and SHPETinas organization. To celebrate Women's History Month, we're hosting a special panel featuring SHPETinas thriving in STEM careers. Join us for an afternoon of insightful discussions and celebration of their achievements in the field. Food will be provided.
4/2/25- Apply for Financial Aid for the academic year 2025-2026.
Apply for CADA or FAFSA using this link.
4/2/25 - SJSU/BMES Biomedical Device Conference
STEM students, if you are interested in attending the Bay Area Biomedical Device Conference: Revolutionizing Health Care through AI and MedDevices, please contact STEM Career and Academic Pathway Specialist Rachel Nguyen for more information.
4/4/25 - 4/7/25 - MESA Student Leadership Retreat
Contact MESA Director Esteban Talavera for more information.
4/11/25- UCSF Tour from 7:30am-7:30pm
Contact Rachel Nguyen at rnguyen@gavilan.edu for questions.
4/17/25- Career Fair from 10am-2pm in the walkway between the library and math/science building in Gilroy Campus.
For students and community members to:
- Find employment
- Explore various career paths
- Connect & Build your Network with potential employers and professionals
- Gain valuable insights into applying to jobs
- Freebies & Giveaways : Participating employers will have material to give away
We encourage all attendees to come prepared with copies of their resumes, dress to impress, and prepare any questions they may have for the participating employers.
Don't miss this opportunity to take the next step towards your career goals! We look forward to seeing you at the Career Fair. Complimentary refreshments will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis!
Contact Daisy Jimenez-Lopez at djimenez@gavilan.edu.
4/17/25- Erica Alfara, author of Harvesting Dreams at 12:30 – 1:30 PM in the North/South Lounge
Puente program, in collaboration with our Title V HSI grant, is sponsoring a special event. Food will be provided for guests! If students (or staff!) would like to purchase her book, Harvesting Dreams, you can find it here: https://a.co/d/eA75y7R.
5/1/25-5/3/25- UCLA & PreHealth Conference
Contact David Argudo or Rachel Nguyen for questions.
5/5/25 - Signing Day and Grad Fest from 11am-2pm in the Student Center Patio
Graduating Class of 2025 and Transferring 2025 Students, join us for a celebration! Share where you'll be transferring, take pictures with a cap & gown, and enjoy food and refreshments.
5/5/25- MESA Star Wards Day/ Cinco de Mayo time is TBD.
5/7/25- STEM Stress reliever- 1-3pm in the STEM Center
The first hour, 1pm-2pm, is for first-year STEM Students. 2p-3pm is open to ALL students.
5/14/25 - MESA Graduation CAP Decoration Party; time is TBD.
5/16/25 - STEM Graduation/Transfer Ceremony at 6pm-8pm, location TBA.
***External Events*
PremedCC Weekly Webinars
Are you a Pre-Medical student attending a Community College? We understand how difficult it can be to find quality mentorship. PreMedCC can connect you with experts in medicine who started at Community College just like you!
