FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

January 13, 2017
FIRST FRIDAY
Happy New Year! The start of a new year is traditionally a time to take inventory of all of the habits we would like to end, practices we would like to begin, or aspects about ourselves we would like to improve upon for the future. It is a time to look at the year ahead with a fresh perspective, to cultivate healthy habits and set goals for personal refinement and growth. New lists are written, inspiration creates motivation, and often that includes returning to learning by maybe taking a community education course, a non-credit class, a distance education class, or beginning the work toward a degree or certificate for the very first time.

Committing to New Year's resolutions is not easy, and making the decision to attend college is difficult as well. Fortunately, at Gavilan our counseling department has an excellent orientation process for new and returning students that provide all of the necessary information needed to ensure success during the critical first few weeks students are on campus and then throughout the semester. The support services available to students at Gavilan are exceptional and all of our counselors are committed to the long term success of our students. In addition the Welcome Center and the Career and Transfer Center are places to go on campus to help keep academic New Year's resolutions strong.

Our campus in January ordinarily is quiet and reflective as we prepare for the spring semester....but not so in 2017! We are in the midst of our strongest and most active winter intersession in the college's history, with on-campus and distance education courses that are fully enrolled, counselors and other support staff in the library available to support students throughout the month. Softball and baseball programs are in training and our basketball Rams are competing throughout the state.  Take a walk on campus this month to see the construction activity around the Student Center or the new growth in the STEM meadow project. Learning occurs continuously at Gavilan.

Also in January we will welcome our new Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Michele Bresso to Gavilan.  Dr. Bresso will begin on January 30th and will add a breadth of leadership to our college that will continue to support the transformative work we have all a part of this year.  Currently she is the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services at Kern Community College District, and has more than twenty years of experience in a variety of faculty and administrative positions. We are delighted that she will be joining us and look forward to introducing her to our campus community in the coming weeks.

Another new beginning in January will be the opening of the Coyote Valley Educational Center with the start of our spring semester. Limited Gavilan offerings will be available on site, as we share the facility with the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy, but plans are to expand enrollments with each semester in the future. Check our website for current class offerings and join us for an Open House on Tuesday, February 14 from 4 to 6 p.m.

So, here's to a great 2017, a year of personal growth and fresh perspectives, a year to learn together and continue to experience the power of educational opportunities and creative innovation available at Gavilan College.

Kathleen A. Rose, Ed.D.
Superintendent / President

(408) 848-4712
This month.....
SAVE THE DATE
 
  • Jan 3 - 26, 2017 Winter Intersession
  • Jan 26, 2017
    Faculty Orientation
  • Jan 27, 2017
    Professional Development Day
  • Jan 30, 2017
    First day of Spring Semester 

Meet the new Webmaster, Karl Sachtleben

Karl Sachtleben, former Gavilan student, returns as webmaster after receiving his computer science degree and notable industry experience.

Professional Learning Day

Staff, faculty and administrators from across the district will meet January 27 for a day of learning, training and growth.

Coyote Valley Center to open for Spring

Gavilan College opens newly constructed Coyote Valley campus in the northern section of the district. An Open House will be held on February 14 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. All welcome!
Biggest Winter Intersession ever

Gavilan College students take advantage of an expanded 2017 intersession class schedule to earn units for graduation and career enhancement.