with the ability to explore , put them on the right path , and then help them either get into a job that they want or apply for the university they want to get into ,” Avila said . Gav 4 Free can also be a great option for those who want to complete their General Education certificate or requirements , allowing students to save their money for the university they ’ re planning on transferring to . And for any community member who wants to take a college course to improve their skills .
Avila is also trying to change the public view of Gavilan . “ Unfortunately , there ’ s this stigma that if you go to a community college you ’ re less . Part of my mission for Gav , but also for community colleges in general , is to eliminate that stigma around them ,” he said . Avila is doing this by restructuring everything from the college campus to Gavilan ’ s internal organization . They are currently expanding the campus to include a new library , student center , and a STEM center on their Gilroy campus , as well as building another college campus in Hollister that will be open in fall of 2024 . There are future plans to remodel many of the campus ’ existing facilities , which were built in the 1960s , so they ’ re more student-friendly and incorporate the latest technology . “ I think it ’ s important that our students have the best facilities that they can have , and for them to feel that when they come here they ’ re getting an experience that ’ s better than a university because they have dedicated support ,” Avila said . “ In terms of internal structure , we are organizing departments to reduce bureaucracy and for administrators to be more responsive and address issues quickly .”
So far , Avila ’ s efforts have been paying off . Like most colleges , Gavilan ’ s enrollment suffered because of the pandemic . “ It was concerning because the way we ’ re funded is based on
enrollment . When the enrollment goes down , the budget can potentially decline and it puts colleges in a position where they ’ re not sustainable ,” Avila explained . In the past year , however , Gavilan ’ s experienced an impressive recovery . Last spring , their enrollment increased by 23 percent , and has increased by 13 percent for both the Summer and Fall semesters . Avila hopes the trend continues so they can keep serving the community .
Avila has also been pleased to hear the positive impact Gavilan ’ s been having both on and off campus . People have stopped to tell him of their good memories at Gavilan inspiring their children to attend , creating a generational tradition . On campus , he ’ s heard from many students who have told him that they chose to come to Gavilan because they heard how faculty , staff , and the administration are committed to supporting them and they ’ re not treated like just a number the way they would be in universities or larger community colleges .
But the hard work continues . Avila and the Gavilan College community refuse to rest until Gavilan Community College becomes the college of choice for the communities they serve . Ultimately , they want people to be proud to call Gavilan their college and for them to see it as their first choice , allowing the college to reach the potential he ’ s always known was there . “ Any day I would put Gavilan side by side with a four-year university or a private school , and I can tell you we work harder than anyone to help students understand that they have the potential to reach their goals ,” he said .
No matter what age and stage you are in life , Avila encourages you to discover your potential . If you ’ re interested in learning more about the Gav 4 Free program , use the QR code below or visit : https :// www . gavilan . edu / admit / summer _ is _ free . php .
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd Gilroy , CA 95020 ( 408 ) 848 - 4800 www . gavilan . edu
gmhtoday . com gmhTODAY Magazine : Go . Make history ... FALL 2023 23