Gavilan College

Gavilan College
Former name
San Benito County Junior College (1919–1963)
TypePublic community college
Established1919
Parent institution
CCCS
PresidentPedro Avila
Students6,833 (2026)[1]
Location
Gilroy, California
,
U.S.

36°58′25″N 121°34′08″W / 36.9736°N 121.5690°W / 36.9736; -121.5690
Campus
  • Suburban
Colors    Navy blue, red, and white
NicknameGavilan Rams
Websitewww.gavilan.edu

Gavilan College is a public community college in Santa Clara County, California.

History

Gavilan College's Gilroy campus, in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains

The college was established in 1919 as the San Benito County Junior College. It operated as such until 1963, when a new community college district was drawn that included both San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County. The college moved to its present main campus in 1968.

Campus

Part of the Gilroy Early College Academy campus
Part of the Gilroy campus of Gavilan College in 2024

The main campus is located in unincorporated Santa Clara County near Gilroy, California. In 1997, satellite sites were added in Hollister and Morgan Hill to augment offerings on the main campus. In 2008, land was purchased in Coyote Valley and San Benito County for the future development of additional campuses. In 2017, Phase 1 of the Coyote Valley Center was completed, becoming Gavilan's newest instructional site and the home for South Bay Public Safety Training Consortium police and fire academies. In 2025, Phase 1 of the new Hollister campus, located in unincorporated San Benito County east of Hollister, opened for classes.[2]

As of 2026, classes are mainly offered at the Gilroy and Hollister campuses. In addition, aviation technology classes are offered at the San Martin Airport and public safety and law enforcement classes are offered at the Coyote Valley Center.

Academics

Gavilan College offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, and certificates in a variety of career fields. Gavilan College is also the only community college in northern California offering degree and certificate programs in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

Gilroy Early College Academy

Gavilan College hosts an early college high school, Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA), on its Gilroy campus.[3][4] Founded in 2007, GECA students are able to complete two years of college in their four years of high school by taking advanced placement and honors classes, as well as Gavilan College courses alongside Gavilan students, and can graduate with an associate degree.

Student life

Fine and performing arts opportunities include theater, children's theater, gallery art, mural art, ceramics, Folklorico dance, choir, instrumental ensemble, symphony, and vocal ensemble.

Athletics

The Gavilan College athletic teams are called the Rams. Intercollegiate sports include men's football, baseball, basketball, and soccer, and women's basketball, softball, volleyball and beach volleyball. Their mascot is the Ram.

Student diversity

  • African American: 3%
  • Asian American: 7%
  • Hispanic: 43%
  • International: 0%
  • Native American: 1%
  • White: 36%
  • Unknown: 9%[5]

Notable alumni & faculty

See also

References

  1. ↑ "California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office - Data Mart". datamart.cccco.edu. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Lee, Meghan (2024-11-18). "Gavilan College celebrates the opening of Hollister campus". BenitoLink. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy: Home Page". Geca-gusd-ca.schoolloop.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Trustee TJ Owens Dies After Stroke". Gilroydispatch.com. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "Explore Gavilan College". Colleges.niche.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Gavilan College alumni shine on election day". Gavilan College. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Purdy, Mark (29 November 2016). "Jeff Garcia wants to coach San Jose State football - and would be a good choice for the Spartans". The Mercury News. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  8. ↑ Powell, Mark (24 March 2011). "Being Frank". Gilroy Dispatch. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  9. ↑ "Jeff Ulbrich - ESPN page".
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