
Gabriel Jaramillo did not expect that a Geology Class at PVCC would have such a significant impact on his life perspective. While studying minerals and rocks, the instructor awakened Gabriel’s ability to see the interconnected nature of the world around him. Expanding beyond the study of rocks and minerals, the instructor introduced the students to an awareness of the larger world and the importance of local impact. This proved to be a catalyst for Gabriel developing a perspective larger than him.
The proximity of PVCC to his home and his work enabled Gabriel to attend class in the morning, head off to work and then return to campus in the evening. Gabriel’s initial focus was on Criminal Justice; however, the affordability enabled him to take courses in other degree programs to explore classes that sparked his interest. He shares, “It was definitely beneficial being able to take a variety of classes as it gave me a better perspective of my interests.”
Gabriel has fond memories of a project on cognitive thinking in a Psychology course. Students were required to integrate a prop in their class presentation. His interest in octopi, coupled with the thought that octopuses are thought to be the most intelligent invertebrates and an important example of advanced cognitive evolution in animals, prompted Gabriel to go to an Asian fish market and purchase an octopus. He researched how to preserve the octopus using preserving solutions. Once preserved, this octopus traveled in a glass fish bowl with Gabriel to campus as a prop for his class presentation on the cognitive thinking of an octopus.
Gabriel took a break after PVCC and continued to advance his career in banking. He went back to school after getting married and starting a family. Gabriel attended Grand Canyon University and completed his bachelor’s degree in History with an emphasis in public history.
Currently, Gabriel is Director of Community Development for Habitat for Humanity. He started with Habitat as a Neighborhood Revitalization Case Manager and has continued to pursue opportunities to expand his leadership skills and extend his outreach by serving on local, state and federal housing policy committees. He is a member of the City of Phoenix North Mountain Village Planning Committee and the Arizona Housing Coalition. Gabriel’s contributions to addressing Arizona’s affordable housing on multiple levels were recently recognized as he received the “Mark Bethel Scholarship Award” issued by AZ Housing Authority and Arizona NHARO.