First generation student Kayla Muniz faced a major setback in her first semester at 69萝莉 when she learned she would lose her rental room 鈥� and had only three weeks to find a new place. Adding a housing search to balancing a full course load, a part-time job, and a planned run for a student government role felt daunting.
鈥淚 was actually considering dropping out of school altogether and working full time,鈥� said Kayla, a business administration major.
After noticing changes in Kayla鈥檚 classroom engagement, however, a caring professor connected her with West Valley鈥檚 Office of Student Needs. They helped Kayla secure housing through a new Pilot Housing Partnership between the West Valley-Mission Community College District and San Jos茅 State University. Launched April 1, the program initially provided short-term housing for 12 eligible West Valley students in shared residence hall rooms. Early participants were joined June 1 through July 25 by additional students, bringing the program total to 30 residents.
The stability provided by the program allowed Kayla to remain enrolled, complete her courses, and pursue her dreams. Growing up in Gilroy, the youngest of six kids, amid financial hardship, and housing instability, she once doubted college was within reach.
Today, Kayla aims to earn a degree and transfer to Stanford University or UC Berkeley鈥檚 Haas School of Business. In the spring, she also won election as vice president of the Associated Students of WVC.
鈥淎ll these things are just an outcome of what this school has provided for me,鈥� Kayla said. 鈥淏ecause of the support I got from West Valley, they definitely pushed me a lot and motivated me to want more for myself.鈥�