
A Grand Upgrade | West Valley College Music Program Adds 12 New Steinway Pianos
September 15, 2025 Cilker School of Art and Design
With enrollment at an all-time high and a recent $1 million investment in instrument upgrades — including the addition of 12 new Steinway & Sons pianos — there’s never been a better time to study music at West Valley College.

South Bay’s Leader in Economic Returns for Grads
September 9, 2025 WVC Ranking
West Valley College also ranked No. 11 statewide out of 327 two-year institutions evaluated in the study, “Golden Returns: A Regional Look at the Return on Investment of California’s Community and Career Colleges.”
A Grand Upgrade | West Valley College Music Program Adds 12 New Steinway Pianos
September 15, 2025 Cilker School of Art and Design
With enrollment at an all-time high and a recent $1 million investment in instrument upgrades — including the addition of 12 new Steinway & Sons pianos — there’s never been a better time to study music at West Valley College. Read More
Universal Connections | Study Abroad Tours Deepen Student Insights
September 9, 2025 Study Abroad
West Valley College students on summer Study Abroad Tours in Ireland and Southeast Asia witnessed public protests, political art, architectural ruins, and the role of history in shaping contemporary life and literature. Read More
All In, All Win | Building the Future Together
September 9, 2025 All College Day
All College Day 2025, held in West Valley College’s newly renovated Campus Center, brought together faculty, staff, and administrators to envision the future. Read More
South Bay’s Leader in Economic Returns for Grads
September 9, 2025 WVC Ranking
West Valley College also ranked No. 11 statewide out of 327 two-year institutions evaluated in the study, “Golden Returns: A Regional Look at the Return on Investment of California’s Community and Career Colleges.” Read More
Accessible AI Education
September 9, 2025 School of Science and Math
New for fall 2025, West Valley College has launched its first introductory course in artificial intelligence, with a second course slated for spring 2026. A top goal: making AI education accessible to community college students. Read More
Inspire and Inform | Applying a Purpose-Driven Approach to WVC Storytelling
August 19, 2025 Marketing and Communications
West Valley College welcomed Katie Woods as Director of Marketing and Communications on July 14. Woods brings over 15 years of dynamic experience in marketing, communications, public relations, and brand strategy. Read More
Raising the Bar | Second Tour de Saratoga Adds Routes, Riders, and ‘Mini-Vikings’
August 19, 2025 Community Event
In its second year, community participation in West Valley College’s Annual Tour de Saratoga: Race to Raise attracted over 100 enthusiastic riders. Read More
Mission in Action | Advancing Equity Through Strategic Leadership
August 19, 2025 Strategy and Equity Division
West Valley College has launched its new Strategy and Equity Division, led by inaugural Vice President Andrea Vizenor. Introducing the division marks a crucial step in aligning college strategic priorities with WVC’s longstanding commitment to...Read More
On Stage | WVC Jazz Combo Opens Mountain Winery Summer Concert
July 14, 2025 Cilker School of Art and Design
When WVC community partner Mountain Winery extended an invitation, the student-led West Valley College Jazz Combo answered the call. The offer: perform at a July 10 pre-concert event. Read More
Digital Defenders WVC Summer Camps Excite Teens About Cybersecurity Careers
July 14, 2025 School of Continuing Education
53 area high school students gained early, hands-on exposure to cybersecurity careers, among the fastest growing and in-demand fields nationwide. Read More
Futures Funded Paid Internships Launch West Valley Careers
July 14, 2025 Donors Internships
Building professional networks in park resource management, working directly with nurse mentors, and learning career-critical design software on the job count among early wins scored by 12 West Valley College students benefiting from the Gore Family...Read More
Telling Our Story | Leadership Retreat Strengthens Shared Vision
July 14, 2025
West Valley College hosted its second annual Summer Leadership Retreat June 11 and 12 at the History Club of Los Gatos, bringing together community partners and more than 60 campus leaders from across college constituencies. Read More
Soaring Higher | STEAM’D Fest 2025 Strikes High Note with Wildlife, Music, and More
June 17, 2025 Cilker School of Art and Design
West Valley College presented the second annual STEAM’D Fest May 15 through 17, a free, public celebration of graduating students’ work from across the Bill and Leila Cilker School of Art and Design and the School of Science and Math. Read More
Professional Progress | Pinning Ceremony Affirms Students’ Health Care Commitment
June 17, 2025 School of Health and Human Development
West Valley College medical assisting and allied health certificate recipients celebrated an institutional first May 9 when 14 students took part in the inaugural Health Care Technologies Programs Pinning Ceremony. Read More
Pitch Perfect | Student Teams Earn $5K Each in Business Competition
May 22, 2025 Donors Entrepreneurship Center
Aspiring entrepreneurs seized the opportunity to earn $5,000 in start-up funding at the April 28 West Valley College Business Pitch Competition held in the WVC Entrepreneurship Center. Read More
Food, Community, and Kindness: Pantry Partnerships Nourish WVC Students
May 22, 2025 Office of Student Needs Pantry Student Services
Every Monday morning just before 10 a.m., students’ excited voices can be heard as they line up in front of West Valley College’s Cohn Family Food Pantry. Read More
Kids Carnival | "Bring Your Child to WVC Day" Builds Connection, Community
May 22, 2025 Office of Student Needs Student Parents
More than 50 West Valley College parenting students and 23 employees invited their kids and dependents to campus April 19 for “Bring Your Child to WVC Day.”Read More
Rising Together | Juventud Celebrates Latino Roots, Empowers College Dreams
May 20, 2025 Outreach
The Juventud Rising Student Summit — Raíces y Alas: Empowering Our Future — drew approximately 230 attendees for a day devoted to celebrating students’ heritage while empowering them to soar higher. Read More
WVC Dean Shares Firsthand Met Gala Fashion Insights
May 13, 2025 Cilker School of Art and Design NBC Bay Area
Ahead of one of the fashion industry’s biggest nights, The Met Gala, West Valley College Dean Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez sat down with NBC Bay Area for an insightful conversation about what it takes to present the event, a parade of dazzling celebrity...Read More
Pulitzer-Winning Author Viet Thanh Nguyen Named 2025 West Valley College Commencement Speaker
May 2, 2025 Commencement
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” Fellowship recipient Viet Thanh Nguyen will address graduates, transfer students, and their supporters during 60th Annual West Valley College Commencement rites May 21 at the...Read More
West Valley-Mission District Launches First-in-Nation Universal Free Meals Program
March 19, 2025 Free Meal Plan WVMCCD
Saratoga, California, March 19, 2025 —West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) has approved the first universal free meal program at a U.S. community college—a historic initiative that will guarantee every in-person student at...Read More
Second Act Style: WVC Fashion Design Student Transfers to Paris College of Art
March 10, 2025 Cilker School of Art and Design Student Success
Hanna Nakaishi Reyes, a senior apparel design major, embodies the West Valley College promise: “Free College, Endless Possibilities!” Through connections made during her WVC journey, in fall 2025 Reyes will transfer to the Paris College of Art...Read More
Gift from Arthur Wang and Christina Qu Fuels Transformational Learning Space at West Valley College
January 31, 2025 Donors Learning Resource Commons Press Release WVMCCD
Silicon Valley philanthropists Arthur Wang and Christina Qu expand upon their longtime support of West Valley College with a generous donation to support the College’s new Learning Resource Commons.Read More
West Valley-Mission Partners with Sutter Health to Advance Education and Healthcare in the Bay Area
December 25, 2024 Press Release WVMCCD Workforce Partnership
The West Valley-Mission Community College District has finalized a 75-year ground lease with Sutter Health to establish a flagship healthcare facility adjacent to Mission College. Read More
Powerful Performance | West Valley Production Puts Individual Stamp on ‘Laramie Project’
December 9, 2024 Cilker School of Art and Design
Launching West Valley College’s fall production of The Laramie Project rates as the role of a lifetime for many involved, says the show’s director, WVC lecturer Teresa Veramendi. Read More
West Valley College Ranks #1 in Bay Area and Silicon Valley for Transfer Success, #3 Statewide in 3-Year Transfer Rate
November 25, 2024 Press Release Student Success Transfer WVC Ranking
Based on the 2018-19 cohort, the college ranks #1 in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley for transfer success and #3 statewide in three-year transfer rates. Read More
Fashion Forward | Cilker School of Art and Design Goes Global in 2024-2025
October 8, 2024 Cilker School of Art and Design
Each WVC Art and Fashion Study Tour—now in its second year following a 2023 tour to New York City—introduces participants to a world capital of art and fashion. Read More
Making His Case | Alumnus Ascends from West Valley to Major Law Firm
October 8, 2024 Alumni Che School of Professional Studies Student Success
When clients of top global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliff need a cybersecurity expert, they turn to partner Joseph “Joe” Santiesteban, a West Valley College alumnus. Read More
Governor Signs Historic Free College Bill into Law
September 24, 2024 Free Tuition Press Release WVMCCD
This weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 3158 into law, marking a major victory for students in the West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD).Read More
West Valley College Partners with Sacramento State to Create Seamless Pathways into the Nation’s First Black Honors College
June 13, 2024 Press Release Transfer Partnership
West Valley College was among 25 community colleges represented in a historic signing event today honoring the creation of seamless pathways for transfer students into the nation’s first Black Honors College at Sacramento State. Read More
2024 Honors Research Symposium
May 15, 2024 Honors Program Student Research Student Success
Psychology student Irene Frazier didn’t set out to make a new discovery in the addiction field. But a chance observation while working on an unrelated West Valley College class assignment presented her with an ah-ha moment. Read More
Home Court Advantages
May 13, 2024 Alumni Athletics Student Success
Alumnus and basketball coach Danny Yoshikawa’s leadership journey has rarely conformed to expectations. As he puts it: “I’ve always kind of gone against the grain.” Read More
Open House 2024
May 13, 2024 Community Event
As nearly 450 attendees learned firsthand Saturday (April 20), Open House is not only an opportunity for welcoming prospective students and families to the West Valley College campus.Read More
Undefeated West Valley Men’s Basketball Wins State Championship
March 18, 2024 Athletics State Championship Student Success
In a tense back and forth game, the men’s basketball team defeated College of the Sequoias 59-51 to claim the 2024 3C2A state championship held at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. Read More
West Valley-Mission Community College District Accepting Applications for Board Vacancy in Trustee Area 5
February 15, 2024 WVMCCD
The West Valley-Mission Community College District announces a vacancy for Trustee Area 5 on its Board of Trustees following the passing of Trustee Jack Lucas on January 24, 2024. Read More
West Valley College Announces Grand Opening of Valhalla Park
January 24, 2024 Athletics Grand Opening Press Release
This modern facility boasts a world-class playing field, training spaces, and spectator amenities, providing a premier environment for athletic competition and community engagement. Read More
West Valley College Named Equity Champion of Higher Education for Latinx Students
November 15, 2023 Press Release
West Valley College has been named a 2023 Equity Champion of Higher Education for Latinx Students for exemplary work in implementing the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) and was honored yesterday at the annual Equity Champions of Higher Education...Read More
West Valley College Celebrates the Grand Opening of New Visual Arts Building
October 3, 2023 Cilker School of Art and Design Grand Opening
West Valley College will be celebrating the opening of the new Visual Arts Building with a grand opening celebration on Friday, October 27, 2023. Read More
West Valley College Names Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza 13th President
July 25, 2023 Office of the President
The West Valley-Mission Community College District Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D. as the next West Valley College President.Read More
Faces of West Valley | Cruz Turns Field of Dreams into Reality for Park Management Students
April 14, 2022 Che School of Professional Studies Faculty
As the faculty lead for West Valley College’s Park Management program, Chris Cruz brings with him over 40 years of lived experience, hands-on knowledge, grassroots guidance, and a vast network people in the field to connect students to as they...Read More
West Valley College Implements Caring Campus Faculty Initiative
January 27, 2022 Caring Campus
West Valley College has recently implemented the Caring Campus Initiative for faculty, which comes in addition to the staff initiative that has been active since 2020. The initiative builds on and enhances the already existing commitment to student...Read More
West Valley College Receives National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Accreditation
January 11, 2022 Accreditation Cilker School of Art and Design
West Valley College has received national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). This achievement places West Valley as one of only two California community colleges to have earned NASM accreditation. Read More
Faces of West Valley | Green Guides Students to Meet Their Goals
January 1, 2022
Green isn’t green to higher education and brings to West Valley a plethora of knowledge, experience, and know how. We’re grateful that his path led him to West Valley. Read More
West Valley College to Open New Community Food Pantry in 2022
January 1, 2022 Office of Student Needs Pantry Student Services
West Valley College is opening Roots: Fuel Your Potential food market in the spring of 2022, the first community food pantry of its kind in Saratoga. The on-campus food market will provide groceries to students and the community free of charge. Read More
Faces of West Valley | Price Designs New Bridges For Student Success
December 8, 2021 Cilker School of Art and Design
The Dean of the Bill and Leila Cilker School of Art and Design shares her story and vision for the college's art and design program.Read More
Live Music Returns to West Valley College with The Disney Concert, Plus!
November 29, 2021 Cilker School of Art and Design
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, live music returns to West Valley College with The Disney Concert, Plus! Read More
West Valley College Wins 2021 American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Student Research League Grand Prize
November 11, 2021 School of Science and Math Student Success
West Valley College proudly brings home the win in this year's national American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) Student Research League competition. Read More
West Valley Presents at NCORE National Conference, Takes the Lead in Standing Up Against Racism
July 28, 2021 Equity
West Valley College had the opportunity to present at the 2021 NCORE National Conference. West Valley's presentation, titled "From Rhetoric to Action: West Valley College Cultivates Anti-Racism Guiding Principles Founded in Self Reflection", was...Read More
West Valley College Student Tomas Velazco and Instructor Michelle Geary Awarded a Save the Redwoods Starter Grant
July 12, 2021 Faculty Grant School of Science and Math
Valley College student, Tomas Velazco, and biology instructor, Michelle Geary, have been awarded a $2,000 Save the Redwoods Starter Grant to assess re-sprouting of coast redwoods damaged by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Read More
West Valley College Names Shannon Bell Price as New Dean of the Cilker School of Art and Design
June 1, 2021 Cilker School of Art and Design
Price is an art, design, and fashion curator, historian and educator with extensive leadership experience at New York City cultural and academic institutions, including Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Read More
After Years of Health Issues, Rudy Flores Finishes Strong at West Valley College
April 21, 2021 Alumni Student Success
Like his fellow students, Rudy Flores donned his cap and gown in late June to celebrate his graduation, held virtually in the wake of COVID-19. His wife and friends watched along as he was honored among grads completing their degrees or transferring...Read More
Randy Fujishin’s 38 Year Legacy Still Ripples Across West Valley
April 21, 2021 Faculty
With his books in wide use, his former students appointed in high places across the Bay Area academic landscape and his son recently promoted to full-time faculty, the teachings of Randy Fujishin can still be found everywhere on campus.Read More
Motivated by the Puente Program, West Valley College Student Gabe Abatecola is Achieving his Goals
April 20, 2021 Learning Community Puente
Gabe Abatecola, a current Anthropology and Geography student at West Valley College, walked onto campus for the first time not knowing if he would transfer out of West Valley or not. But then he heard about Puente, a college program designed to...Read More
West Valley College Selected for Caring Campus Initiative
April 9, 2021 Caring Campus
West Valley College has been selected to participate in the Institute for Evidence-Based Change 2021 Caring Campus initiative for faculty. Last year, West Valley completed and implemented the staff Caring Campus initiative and are now adding the...Read More
From First-Generation Student to a World Tour, Dulce Gray Has Travelled an Amazing Path
March 30, 2021 Faculty
Dulce Maria Gray has come a long way since immigrating to the U.S. as a child. She grew up in the Bronx with little money, but overcame all obstacles and today she has her Ph.D. She has traveled the world, and is an inspiration to...Read More
EOPS and TriO Programs Help First-Generation College Student Karin Shamardani Achieve Her Goals
January 8, 2021 Alumni EOPS Student Success TRIO
After graduating from West Valley College, alumna Karin Shamardani achieved her dream of transferring to UC Berkeley where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Cell Development Biology in 2019. Read More
Puente Helps Biology Student Ty Bonde Achieve His Goals at West Valley College
January 1, 2021 Learning Community Puente Student Success
Meet Ty Bonde, a current Biology student at West Valley College and future marine biologist. Ty is a member of Puente, a program here at West Valley that helps students build bridges to higher education. Read More
Stephanie Kashima of West Valley College Chosen for Aspen Institute’s New Presidents Fellowship to Advance Student Success
January 1, 2021
Saratoga, CA – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today announced that Stephanie Kashima, President at West Valley College, is one of 25 leaders selected for the 2021-22 class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. Read More
West Valley College Alumna Hanaa Salha Achieves Goal of Becoming an Interior Designer
January 1, 2021 Alumni EOPS Student Success
EOPS counselors can become an essential part of a student's success because they are not limited to helping a student in the academic path, but they also provide plenty of resources to students who are struggling in other aspects of their lives. Read More
West Valley College Presents Its Anti-Racism and Inclusion Action Plan
October 20, 2020 Equity
West Valley College will introduce its Anti-Racism and Inclusion Action Plan to the campus community during the President's Forum. West Valley College President Stephanie Kashima and the Washington Consulting Group President Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington...Read More
West Valley College Students Gain Real-World Experience Helping to Solve Community Issues
August 28, 2020
West Valley College and World Innovations Network are partnering to launch the United Community Alliance, a collaboration of West Valley students and faculty, local government officials, accomplished entrepreneurs, high-tech leaders, and the venture...Read More
Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, West Valley College Provides Food Sources for Students
March 25, 2020 Student Services
West Valley College is partnering with its on-campus food vendor, WM Café, and West Valley Community Services to provide two free food options for current students. WM Café is supplying box lunches on weekdays for students to pick up on campus....Read More
West Valley College Names Stephanie Kashima As New President
January 23, 2020
West Valley-Mission Community College District Chancellor Bradley Davis has announced that Stephanie Kashima has been named the 12th President of West Valley College. Read More
WVC President Bradley J. Davis Promoted to Chancellor of the WVMCCD
June 5, 2019 Press Release WVMCCD
The Board of Trustees for the West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) is pleased to announce that West Valley College President Bradley J. Davis, J.D., has been selected to serve as the District‘s next chancellor. Read More
Big Ideas Come In Tiny Packages: West Valley's Tiny House Project
May 3, 2019 Che School of Professional Studies
The tiny house project—a collaboration between the Tiny House Design Build Group, and West Valley College's Park Management and Interior Design programs—tackles housing problems and teaches students valuable construction skills. It received a...Read More
A Rockstar is Born
April 17, 2019 Cilker School of Art and Design
15% Poise, 35% Guts, 50% Charm...100% Commitment. WVC students showcase their creativity and leadership skills in a final project that rocks, literally. Read More
The Power of Compounding: Personal Finance Lecture Prepares Students for a Lifetime of Success
April 17, 2019 Honors Program
Did you know investing just $150 a month in a Roth IRA could give you a balance of over $1 million dollars at retirement? Dr. Sam Liu divulges the (not so secret) secret of financial success in a public talk, "Retire Rich," on April 25th. Read More
Student-Led Trip To Cambodia Makes A Big Impact
March 15, 2019 Service Learning
After working on a cross-cultural educational curriculum for a semester, thirteen students from the Society of Global Citizens club put their plans to work during a two-week trip to Cambodia. Read More
West Valley College Sustainability Committee: Past, Present, and Future
March 4, 2019 Committee Sustainability
From solar panels and refillable dry erase pens to a centralized trash system, Dr. Brad Chin and members of the WVC Sustainability Committee reflect on committee projects over the past ten years and share what's on the horizon. Read More
Janelle McAfee Named Top Scholar-Athlete
March 1, 2019 Athletics Student Success
Angels in the Outfield? Valedictorian and former outfielder on the WVC softball team, Janelle McAfee, gives us another reason to believe in the athletic program at West Valley College. Read More
West Valley Alum Wins Community Award
January 18, 2019 Alumni Student Success
Advocacy and Policy Specialist at the Bill Wilson Center and West Valley Alum Amanda Clifford (2014) talks about her passion for helping at-risk youth and finding success after junior college. Read More
Meet the New Dean of Student Equity and Success
January 18, 2019
Dr. Debra Griffith is appointed to a newly created position, Dean of Student Equity and Success. She offers some advice on how to get involved in diversity and social justice programming on campus. Read More