Gavilan College opened its doors at the Briggs Building at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets in downtown Hollister in January 1997, with approximately 300 students at that time.
Since then, it has added student services such as financial aid and library research assistance, counseling, tutoring, a bookstore (during the first two weeks of the semester), computer drop-in labs, assessment, Kickstart Orientation, Calworks assistance, a welcome center, community corner, admissions and records as well as a population of around 1,000 students per semester.
“We try to offer a variety of courses that students can take each semester so that students will be able to reach their academic goals in the same city in which they work and live” said Judy Rodriguez, the site director who has been with the college’s satellite campus since it opened its doors 20 years ago. “Many of the students work and go to school while managing families, so cutting back on the commute to Gilroy for classes is important and saves them time.”
Rodriguez said that while being able to serve San Benito County is a top priority for her, that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. Often times barriers come up such as finding an instructor to teach a class that could be successful at the site or lack of classroom availability. Currently at the Briggs Building there are six classrooms, including a computer lab. It offers courses such as Astronomy, Anthropology, Business, Child Development, Communications, Computer Science, English, English as Second Language, Geography, Health Education, History, Math, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Spanish and much more.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The front office is run by Josie Olivares, a program services specialist who helps with students with admissions and financial aid assistance.
In 2013, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce awarded Gavilan College Hollister with the Service Business of the Year award for its customer service and dedication to the students and community. Rodriguez said she believes in a “service with a smile” approach and wants students to walk away satisfied with the customer service they receive.
The Welcome Center is run by peer mentors who are students going through the college experience and are ready to share their stories and assist new students walking in for the first time by helping them with the admissions and financial aid process, as well as other student services information. They recognize the stress of a new environment, having gone through it themselves. First-time stress for an incoming student can often be reduced with just a warm smile and a helping hand.
The Welcome Center recently received a certificate of appreciation from the Wellness Coalition for its committed work and service.
Rodriguez encourages people who are nearby to stop in for a free tour. She said guests “will feel the warm welcome, not only from staff but from the students who work in the Welcome Center as we are a thriving facility committed to San Benito County.”
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