López: Evergreen Valley College’s 50-year impact in San Jose

At a time when education is evolving more rapidly than any time in history, Evergreen Valley College (EVC) turns 50, and its mission has never been more relevant.

When I think of 50 years, I think of accomplishments, impact and stories EVC has written. I also consider possibilities and an opportunity to imagine the next 50 years. San Jose residents cannot travel in this city without knowing someone who has a family member, colleague or friend who attended EVC. We are in the community to serve the community, 50 years strong.

If we were to travel back in time to 1975 to meet the original faculty, inaugural President Gerald Strelitz and staff, they would be amazed at what EVC has become. San Felipe Road is now more than a country road. We have an observatory on the hill named after aviator John Montgomery. After their hard work welcomed 2,591 students on the first day in 1975, five decades later we have graduated more than 20,000 students from 78 countries around the world. The college has become multicultural and multilingual, where one in four students are Asian, and one in four are Latinx, reflecting the melting pot that is San Jose.

I would remind them that EVC is a college that respects the human dignity of our LGBTQ+ and undocumented students.

Two women have held the role of college president, reflecting a commitment to inclusion. We also provide mental health services and food through our Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank donations. Most important, the college is a launchpad for engineers, artists, elected officials, automotive mechanics, nurses, entrepreneurs and much more. This is the legacy that was established in 1975 and endures today.

There is responsibility and opportunity to shape the next 50 years of the crown jewel of education in San Jose. I invite San Jose residents and community members to engage and participate, and to take pride in community college education. EVC has built a culture of access and excellence, where the motto is everything begins and ends with students, where student dreams are our dreams and where we’ll continue to play a major role in the success of the city.

Happy birthday EVC! Here’s to 50 more years of impact.

Vinicio J. López is the ninth president of Evergreen Valley College. He is a first-generation California community college and university graduate.