A Message from West Valley President, Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza
Make a Brighter Day. Destination West.
Welcome to West Valley College! You have arrived and we are so glad to have you here. West Valley College has served the surrounding cities of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, and their respective school districts for over 59 years. While I know the value of a West Valley College education intricately, we warmly invite you to explore our many programs and offerings and to learn why West Valley should be your destination of choice as you consider the path you want to take to achieve your educational, career, or life goals.
West Valley provides students a personalized and transformative academic experience in a dynamic, inclusive, learning environment in the heart of Silicon Valley. We are proud to provide an exceptional educational foundation to transfer to a four-year college, but also offer many degree programs, classes, and certificates to help you gain the skills you will need to enter the workforce. Whether you are just coming out of high school and want to take your first two years here with us or are currently a working adult who wants to skill up to reach another level in your career, we are here to help you reach your goals.
West Valley is a leader among community colleges in the State, awarding degrees and certificates. In fact, West Valley holds the #2 Community College Transfer Rate in Silicon Valley and is #11 in the State out of 116 California Community Colleges.
The College offers a wide range of academic programs, including 68 degree programs—32 of which are associate degrees for transfer, and 54 certificates. If your goal is to transfer to a four-year university, I am confident we have a program to meet your needs. Our students regularly transfer to UCs (University of California), CSUs, private colleges in-state and out-of-state, internationally, and to Ivy League universities. Likewise, if your goal is to upskill or earn a certificate in a particular career field, I encourage you to review our many exciting workforce programs.
At West Valley College, you will receive the attention and support you need to succeed among a community of caring faculty and staff. We offer small classroom sizes with a 23 to one student-to-faculty ratio and our courses are led by top-tier faculty. I am confident that our excellent faculty and staff will help you reach your full potential. In 2023, we are ready to meet you where you are and take you where you want to be.
We know that our success lies in our students’ ability to succeed, and we do not want finances to get in their way. West Valley provides a high-value education at a low cost with financial aid and grants for various students. Our Community Grant supports high school seniors’ tuition costs in their first two years of college, with extra funds available to help pay for textbooks. We also offer qualified students financial aid and scholarships that can reduce or eliminate all costs.
For students interested in being involved in athletics, we have you covered. West Valley College is a premier community college for athletics with facilities and fields unparalleled in the State. We offer state-of-the-art athletic facilities including brand new turf softball and baseball fields. We are the proud home of champions! We take pride in and support our twelve athletic teams. Our coaches and programs have created an infrastructure to facilitate our student athletes' educational and athletic success.
West Valley understands the importance of equity in athletics by advancing women's sports to create endless opportunities. We are so proud of our women's water polo team who took the state championship in 2021 and our women’s volleyball team who were state runners-up that same year. We welcome you to explore your opportunities as a West Valley Viking. Join our athletics programs!
College can be an enriching experience in many ways. From academics to athletics, to arts and music, student services, and learning communities, West Valley has something for you. As a first-generation community college student, I know first-hand the value of making the most of your early college opportunities. We truly do have it all and we are ready to support you with excellent faculty, supportive staff, impactful student organizations, and a competitive sports and athletics program should you be interested. We welcome you to join in on all that awaits you!;
Sincerely,
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.
President, West Valley College