Rose, the purchase of a small Piper air-
plane that the students can dismantle
to learn about its inner workings. “How
many presidents can buy an airplane?”
she joked. They moved three portables to
the site and refurbished them and, “We
put together a really fine facility, which
will allow us to almost double enrollment
in the program.” Fifty students can now
attend courses in aviation-related fields
such as welding, aircraft maintenance
and more. Rose is especially happy to see
more women enrolling in the program.
Most important to her, when students
graduate from this program, “they get jobs
immediately in business and technology.”
Real-World Skills
Under Rose’s lead, the College is
becoming even more sensitive to students’
who need to make a living immediately
after earning their degrees. They’re
hosting a hospitality summit, bringing in
speakers from industries such as hotels,
tourism, retail, and food safety, as well as
looking at offering curriculum in those
areas. Rose is also excited to re-start
Gavilan’s Aesthetician (skin care) program
again this winter. The program took a year
off due to under-enrollment but is back
in gear. This, along with its Cosmetology
program, also offers low-cost services
to the community. Local residents can
come and get a manicure, a facial, or a
haircut — by students working toward
their degree—at affordable prices. The
Cosmetology program “is always full,
impacted even,” said Rose, “because you
leave with a career that will help get you
a job anywhere.”
44
Gavilan has also received significant
funding from the state—nearly $700,000,
to develop career technical education
programs such as HVAC repair, and solar
energy manufacturing jobs.
People may not realize that Gavilan
also offers a General Education transfer
pathway, with 18 Associate Degrees that
provide a “direct pipeline to the CSUs.
Once students in good standing graduate
from here, they are guaranteed entry into
a CSU as a junior,” Rose said.
With so many irons in so many fires,
Rose is beyond busy but still manages
to make time for anyone who needs her.
“The onus of responsibility is on me to
ensure that all these puzzle pieces come
together in a comprehensive delivery
system that is contemporary, responsive to
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
the global needs of the world, and allows
us to authentically stand behind our
mission statement…for all our students
to be truly global citizens,” said Rose.
If this seems like a lot to manage for
one person, Rose admits she doesn’t do it
all alone. “I’m managed by Nancy Bailey
and Pilar Conaway,” she said with
a chuckle. However, at the end of the
day, it is indeed her capable shoulders
that hold the college together. She noted
that this position would most likely be
her last, the capstone to her educational
legacy that will shape the future of
Gavilan and touch many lives. After all,
Rose strongly believes “that it doesn’t
matter if you’re at Stanford or Gavilan;
education has the power to launch any
person’s life, no matter where you are.”
Dr. Rose welcomed
attendees to the grand
opening of the new
site for Gavilan’s
Aviation Maintenance
Technology program at
the San Martin Airport.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
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