Meet our Staff
Annette Gutierrez, MSW
Director of Basic Needs & Success
408-848-4813
agutierrez@gavilan.edu
Hello and welcome to Gavilan College. I have had the privilege of serving students at Gavilan since 2005. Additionally, I am a proud Gavilan College alumni and understand firsthand some of the barriers that may arise as a CalWORKs/Fresh Success student. The Higher Aspirations program and staff are here to ensure that you prosper during and after your time at Gavilan. Please be sure to stop by to say hello, share your worries, and accomplishments, we truly care about each and every one of our students.
Violeta Yerena
Departmental Assistant
408-852-2838
vyerena@gavilan.edu
Hello and welcome to Gavilan College and the Higher Aspirations program. I am excited to be part of the awesome Higher Aspirations team. As a Gavilan alumni, I am thrilled to be back on campus working with all of our students. As a first-generation college student, I am familiar with the various barriers that can make the college experience more difficult. However, I am here to support you through your college journey and hope to help make it easier for you to navigate. Please stop by or call with any questions you may have as I am here to help you.
Yo hablo Español!
Thong Vang
Higher Aspirations Counselor/Coordinator
408-848-4800 x5604
tvang@gavilan.edu
Hello Higher Aspirations Scholars! As the Counselor/Coordinator, my role is to support you in achieving your educational goals. I believe that education is the practice of freedom and it serves as a liberatory tool for students to actively engage in transforming their own realities. I am here to assist you in developing the necessary skills to successfully navigate college and provide tools to enhance your learning experience. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on your academic journey at Gavilan College.
Hector Barrios
Higher Aspirations Program Specialist
408-713-9556
hbarrios@gavilan.edu
Meet Hector Barrios, a beacon of resilience and inspiration, currently serving as a Program Specialist for the esteemed Higher Aspirations program at Gavilan College. Despite encountering significant challenges in his upbringing, Hector's journey is one defined by triumph over adversity. Throughout his life, Hector faced formidable trials with the criminal justice system and its consequences, which ultimately led him to a period of incarceration. However, rather than succumb to despair, these experiences served as catalysts for profound personal growth and
transformation.
Four years ago, Hector made a courageous decision to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment by pursuing his Associate of Science degree. This endeavor not only symbolized his commitment to education but also highlighted his unwavering determination to rewrite his narrative. Hector's journey has endowed him with a deep sense of empathy for those navigating similar struggles, as well as a profound understanding of the resilience and perseverance required to overcome adversity. He firmly believes that life's true purpose lies in extending a helping hand to others and giving back to the community.
It is this unwavering belief in the power of education and service that drew Hector to the Higher Aspirations program. Inspired by its mission to uplift and empower students, he is committed to providing unwavering support and guidance to those embarking on their own journeys of self-discovery and transformation. As Hector continues to inspire hope and catalyze change in the lives of others, his story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the boundless potential for growth and redemption. Through his work, he embodies the program's ethos of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of education, illuminating the path towards a brighter future for all.