Education: Gavilan College selects next president to replace the retiring Dr. Rose
Coming from Santa Rosa Junior College, Pedro Avila will start July 1
By Marty Cheek
Dr. Pedro Avila
Dr. Pedro Avila has been selected as Gavilan Community College’s next superintendent/president. Pending contract negotiations, he will replace Dr. Kathleen Rose starting July 1.
Since spring 2017, Avila has served as the vice president, student services/assistant superintendent for Santa Rosa Junior College.
Avila’s interest in Gavilan College is connected to his roots growing up nearby in Castroville and picking strawberries in the Salinas Valley.
“I am familiar and identify with the communities served by the college and can personally relate to many of the students,” he said. “I have friends in the area and have seen Gavilan expand and evolve as a critical contributor to many lives and the community’s economic development.”
The Gavilan College Board of Trustees interviewed finalists for the position May 19 and announced its decision May 20. The employment agreement will be placed on the agenda for public review and approval consideration at the June 14 board meeting.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank all our community members, faculty and staff, for their engagement by submitting their questions and feedback,” said Edwin Diaz, Gavilan board president.
According to the Santa Rosa Junior College website, “Avila has worked in the community college system for 20 years and has led several successful initiatives to increase college-going rates for underrepresented student populations.
“He was born and spent his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico. When he was nine in 1984, his family emigrated to the United States to find better opportunities. They worked as farmworkers, living in Castroville. Like many migrant families, they experienced poverty and housing insecurity hardships.”
Avila’s work is grounded in his experiences as an immigrant, English-language learner, and first-generation college student. His childhood experiences with poverty and housing insecurity shape his strong state-wide advocacy for affordable student housing. At Santa Rosa Junior College, he led the construction of an on-campus affordable housing facility for 352 students.
As a housing champion, he has worked with nonprofit Generation Housing in Sonoma County. He understands from firsthand experience the challenges families face.
Avila’s top priority will be learning the culture and processes of the college. He plans to spend his first six months meeting employees, students, and community members to create unity and trust, he said.
“Before we can begin implementing changes, we need to develop a shared vision and common values so that there is trust among all constituents,” he said.
He is also excited about the opportunities provided by the college’s $248 million Measure X facilities bond and looks forward to leading construction projects to help reimagine the college and its service sites.
Avila describes his leadership style as inclusive, transparent, and results-focused.
“I foster collaboration, ownership, and ultimately strong support from the college community,” he said. “I believe that by combining the expertise and excellence of the faculty, staff, and students with my drive, connection to the local communities, and results-focused leadership, we will put Gavilan College on the national stage as one of the premier postsecondary institutions in the country.”
To learn more about Dr. Pedro Avila, click here to visit a story published in The Oak Leaf.
Avila holds degrees in Latino studies and business from Fresno State University, a master’s in business administration from Rockhurst University and a certificate in institutional performance assessment from Harvard’s Higher Education Institute. He holds a doctorate in community college policy from the University of Maryland.
His administrative experience includes serving as associate vice chancellor of Enrollment Management, Admissions & Records, and Information Systems at State Center Community College District
At West Hills Community College District, he served as vice president of Student Services and vice-chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness & Enrollment Management.
In his free time Avila enjoys bike riding, fishing, playing soccer, and hiking with his two daughters and wife, Jeanette Loaiza, who is also in the field of education.