and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo, and today, the dean of admissions at santa clara university, eva blanco, is on our show. how to get your kids prepared for college, on your "comunidad del valle." male announcer: nbc bay area presents "comunidad del valle" with damian trujillo. damian: well, we begin today with what's happened during the summer and how we've been able to keep, kind of, our kids out of danger and out of trouble, especially down in the south bay. my guest here on comunidad del valle is israel cangura who is with the mayor's gang prevention task force, also called san jose best, o como se llama ahora? israel cangura: the mayor's gang prevention task force, city of san jose. damian: well, you and i were talking off camera about how we haven't seen as much violence this year, compared to maybe last year, years before, out in the streets of san jose.

israel: well, i think that in terms of, like, violence, right, we always relate it to the gang homicide, right? and we haven't seen--the number hasn't increased as we saw it. i think, last year we saw a little bit of an increase during the summertime of, like, gang homicides. we haven't seen that this year, knock on wood. and i think that a lot of it has to do with a lot of the programming, the summer programming that's going on. damian: i mean, what does that tell you about what kids can accomplish once you just give them an opportunity. israel: i think that what it really highlights is the fact that, you know, the more opportunities we give these kids to actually engage in positive behaviors, right, or positive initiatives, that they do wanna do positive things, that they do--they don't like to stay home and do nothing. they really wanna be engaged in different programming. i think that the city of san jose has done a tremendous job doing that. parks and recreation, neighborhood services programs throughout the city actually have youth engaged in many

different aspects of the work that, you know, happens in the parks and in the community centers. so, i think that all of those things together and the nonprofits that are helping us and helping the city through funding and whatnot, i think that they're all playing a huge role in ensuring that our kids remain safe and stay safe. damian: and we have video, and the video's gonna show the police, obviously, in action, the gang unit, but also it's gonna show some video of target, because target has stepped up and given some of these youth jobs through the mayor's programs. israel: exactly. you know, a lot of the both nonprofit--our partners in the nonprofit sector as well as the private sector, like companies like target, starbucks, chipotle, they're all also playing a role in keeping our community safe by actually providing jobs to youth. jobs that normally, you know, they wouldn't have access to because they have age requirements and things of that nature, but even these organizations are seeing that the impact that they can have in the community,

especially the community that is buying all their products. they can have even a greater footprint in that community. and i think that plays a role in all of the work that we're doing, right? damian: i mean, i've visited some of these teens at their workplace, and i mean, just the pride that they have and the fact that they know that they have a job and that they're staying busy during the summer, i mean, they're bringing home money. you can tell that it's really turned their lives around just by offering them that one opportunity. israel: it's an opportunity that i think that sometimes, you know, we take for granted maybe, right? but they don't. you know, they actually see it as a real, true opportunity. i mean, when are you ever, you know, given a job, you know? and basically, you're letting them know that, hey, you know what, that you matter, that we see you, that we care. and so we have a lot of partnerships such as mr. chris funk from the east side union high school district that made this program available to at least ten youth from each of his

high schools and then had his principals actually, like, send youth to our program. and so, he's playing a major role in that. the san jose unified school district, the office of ed. so, all those organizations are actually, like, understanding and understand that they have youth in their schools that actually, truly need this opportunity. now, normally you wouldn't have this youth have these jobs because maybe their gpa or maybe they're not doing so well, right? but you know, through our partnership, they're letting their principals know that, hey, you know what, give these kids an opportunity and maybe they can turn things around. 'cause i think sometimes what happens is that these kids don't have that opportunity. damian: because the potential for failure is out there. you brought over a map of the gang hotspots in san jose. they are out there, but you've zeroed in on several neighborhoods. without naming the entire east side as problematic, you've zeroed in on several neighborhoods. israel: exactly, you know, and we made a concerted effort to

make sure that we're not targeting the entire community, right? because a lot of times what happens is that--you know, how can you target the entire community? you know, sometimes what happens is that the issue of gang violence or violence in a community happens in a very small area, very isolated area. so, we wanna make sure that we focus our resources in those areas, not that we're expanding all of our resources and therefore dilute the impact that we can have. damian: we saw a video of the police at different crime scenes. your people are boots on the ground. they're at those crime scenes. well, not inside the crime scene, but you're there to diffuse the situation, make sure that there's no retaliation. once it's considered maybe a gang crime, you guys are there, boots on the ground. israel: you know, we're there whether it's a gang crime or not at times, right, because of the fact that we don't know. they may--you know, a lot of times what happens is that, you know, there's gun violence or there's stabbings, something like that, right, in the community. you never know what it leads to and you never know that--you

know, some of these incidents may not be, you know, gang incidents, however they may be gang families, right? that may lead to other things, and we can provide resources that we have within the city structure for these families, such as, you know, the victim compensation fund that they can access, you know, in these times. so, again, this shows the families that there's resources available for them, and they believe in the system, and the system can work for them, and that's what we wanna make sure that we have. my staff, amazing job, right? in terms of, like, being able to be in those areas, knowing the youth, knowing the families, and then being able to, like, show empathy for what's happening in their lives right now. because everyone's impacted, right? damian: yeah. the one thing i admire is that your offices are not on the 17th floor at city hall. you're there in the barrio at the hank lopez community center, right in the middle of everything. that's what we admire. if you'd like more information on the mayor's gang prevention task force, you can call that number for more information and

maybe see how they can help out. thank you so much, israel, for what you've done this summer. israel: thank you, damian. damian: gracias. and up next here on "comunidad del valle," eva blanco, the new dean of admissions at santa clara university. stay with us. (whispering) what are you doing up? (whispering) mom said i could have a midnight snack. well, i say it's late, and you need to go to bed. why? because i am the boss. you're not the boss, mom's the boss. well, technically, we are co-bosses. technically, mom's the boss. mmmm. shhh. the family favorite. yoplait.

at santa clara university. eva blanco masias is my guest here on "comunidad del valle." welcome to the show. eva blanco masias: thank you, damian. it's great to be here. damian: thank you, well, how does someone go from being a first-generation college student to becoming the dean of admissions at a major college in this country? eva: big dreams. big dreams. it certainly starts in the beginning where my parents, you know, really worked hard. i think that that's a common story of a lot of our youth. you see our parents work hard and you really just wanna do something great that helps other people. and so, that's been my life goal is realizing that i can't do it alone, and i didn't do it alone, and so bringing that forth to others. damian: i'll tell you what, the fields--farm work chased me out of the field. it chased me into college, and i think that's one of the main reasons why i went to college.

what was it for you? what was the impetus? i mean, i'm sure it started as a chavalita, that made you or your parents say, "this is your track here." eva: yeah, sure. well, it's a lot of growing up and seeing things that surround you that you're not necessarily content with, you know? in some cases, they're upsetting. in some cases, they are--just make you really sad. your earlier guest with the gang prevention, that was my surroundings. i grew up in los angeles and there was just a lot of things that i didn't want to be a part of that, for me, was motivation to try to make my communities better. and so, i worked hard. and you know, my brothers--i have older brothers who had started in school before me. i wanted to be like them. and as i got to be, then, in school, and i had teachers who really motivated me and challenged me, and i liked the challenge. and for me, it was really trying, again, to be better, do the best i can to make the world a better place. my parents were big role models in that sense,

and even though they didn't have an education, they had good sense that education was the key to having options, and that's really, i think, what we're talking about is creating options for youth. damian: now at santa clara, you're not in the classroom. you're pulpit, i guess, is the office of admissions. how do you motivate and inspire students in that capacity, being the dean of admissions? eva: well, in this capacity, we go out to the community. we visit schools and we talk to students. i think what's very helpful, and i always try to, you know, recall what that was like for me and to really cement and plant those seeds that make the connection, that make it real possible. so, to have staff who really care, i think that makes a big difference. and i have a great staff that all really want to inspire youth, and so they go into the classroom, they share their stories, and they show the steps. they tell the youth what steps it takes to get to santa clara or be at other universities.

i think we're in a country where you have so many options, and it's learning about them and in doing it with enough time to be able to plan and prepare for them. and along the way, by the way, bringing your family along with it, because parents like mine weren't so well aware of what it took to go to college, but it's bringing them along in that quest for information that is really helpful, because it's the journey that the family takes, really. and so, sharing those stories, and giving answers, and providing, again, more reason to do more research is how we try to inspire youth to go for it. damian: so, as the dean of admissions, what is your role? are you the one who checks, "accepted, denied, accepted, denied"? what is your role? eva: yeah, that's part of it. so, it's a multifaceted sort of organization. so, one is certainly going out and recruiting, telling students what opportunities exist at santa clara and its full variety. it's giving them everything from the dates and deadlines, the processes and the forms that they need to fill out for the

application or for financial aid. it's also then, once receiving the applications, is going through the process of reading that application completely and giving, then, the notifications to our students. and yes, it's a hard task because there's always more students we want to accept than we possibly can, but we have to make sometimes some tough choices. but at the same time, it's also really rewarding. it's really rewarding to see how students really put a lot of time, energy, and make the preparation to ultimately, then, go to college. and that is the reward for all of us in admissions. damian: and when you're sitting in your corner office with the huge glass windows and, you know, everything at your disposal there, do you ever sit back and say, you know, "i'm not here by myself. i'm here with my parents 'cause of what they've sacrificed." eva: absolutely. absolutely. i remember that every day. and when i see students, whether it be at a school, whether they come into our office, i remember that because in the end of the day,

parents--and i'm a mother as well--we want the best for our children. so, i know that it took a lot of sacrifice on their part, a lot of initiative on their part, and faith as well. it's to have a little faith that, you know, they are venturing into an area that, although unknown, was the right steps to take. so, we remember that and i certainly carry that every day with me, and it makes, again, the work a lot more rewarding. when it gets tough and you have to work those extra hours, you remember, and that's what takes us through it. damian: all right, well, it's santa clara university in the heart of silicon valley. the information, if you'd like to log onto that website or call that number, the main number. we'll be back with eva blanco, the dean of admissions at santa clara university, stay with us.

♪ ♪ hush my darling... ♪ don't fear my darling... ♪ the lion sleeps tonight. [snoring.] ♪ hush my darling... [snoring.] ♪ don't fear my darling... ♪ the lion sleeps tonight. [snoring.] take the roar out of snore. yet another innovation only at a sleep number store. the dean of admissions at santa clara university.

so, we have an 11-year-old, and you know, we've been talking about preparing for college and santa clara's at the top of her list. what should she do now to start preparing? she's gonna start the 6th grade, and alum rock school district doesn't necessarily have a lot of steam and stem programs, and so the resources aren't there. but what should we start doing with her and what should she start doing to prepare? eva: well, first of all, i'm excited and happy that santa clara's at the top of her-- damian: she wants to be a bronco, yeah. eva: absolutely. that's a good thing. but there's a lot of things that can go into that preparation. certainly, in school, being in touch with the counselors. the counselors are gonna guide them about the course and preparation. and i'll tell you, damian, it's no longer just okay to graduate, to aim just to graduate. you really wanna start taking courses, and the discipline starts early. that age is great to start taking courses that are challenging, not just sort of the basics to get through, but rigor of course selection is important as students then

progress over high school. and so, that they challenge themselves, that they're doing well, that they're aiming for the as. certainly, you know, bs are good too, but aim for the as and that'll get you there. but aside from that is also then, what else is going to enrich your experience? not so much to just get the resume ready, but i think it's important for students to start to also think about, like, "what really excites me?" right? "what am i really good at? what can i try?" and so, they can use summers, after school programs to exercise that, whether it be with the local church, maybe a park. and just look for those opportunities where maybe they're just trying things for the first time. that leads often to love of a new activity, and sometimes it's when you connect that to school life that just--it just takes off. students--and what you really want to instill is a life--a commitment to learning, but a real love for it, you know? that when you're driven, and gaining,

and achieving something that that then propels you onto that next step. and so, early on, it's really important to get that kind of--to have students really connect with that value and have that be part of their life. damian: and when you start thinking about academically what your history is, should you start worrying at the freshman level, or is it 7th and 8th grade where you gotta start preparing for college? eva: sure, from the college standpoint, we start looking at coursework as early as 9th grade, but it shouldn't start there. again, you know, when you get to the 9th grade, it really still then--your building blocks are before then. i often--my husband's also a teacher, and we often talk about how that preparation really begins as early as students are--kids are children, because you wanna instill that sort of--both their commitment to learning as well as just the discipline, right? but they want to ultimately--then in the 9th grade is when we really then start taking a look at the coursework. and we're not just calculating a gpa.

what we look for is the trends, we look for how students have done over 9th to senior year. and so, very often, there'll be little dips along the way. it happens, you know, life isn't the same for everybody. when we're reading an application, however, we want to understand why that has happened, so it is important for students to explain that to us. but in the end, that trajectory that makes sense and that it continuously be challenging is something we look for, because that really points to students, you know, both determination and abilities. damian: kind of answers my next question, but if my application is on top of this pile, and then there's an other student, their application is on top of this file, gpas are relatively the same, 3.2, 3.5, or whatever, what's gonna separate mine from hers to make sure that i get admitted when we have kind of comparable applications? eva: sure, well, at santa clara, you know, it's important to note that we do holistic review, so we're not just looking at transcripts,

we're not just calculating gpas and looking at scores. for us, we're a mission-driven university, and so we wanna make sure that students who come to santa clara connect with the idea that they're also getting an education to make the world a better place. so, for us to identify that students really connect with that mission has to do with everything else that they've done in addition to their coursework. so, we look at things as, what have they done outside of the classroom? what kind of clubs and organizations are they a part of? or maybe they've just volunteered. maybe they have a job because they have to help their families. but what are those motivators, what are those drivers, why is there--what have been their experiences? because in the end of the day, part of that learning experience at santa clara isn't just about taking in what the professor is teaching you. it's about having conversations with people like you and not like you so that you're learning in that experience. so, for us, we want, sure, students who are academically prepared to take on the rigor at santa clara,

but other things that have enriched their lives, that have added both to their challenges, and the complexities, and the triumphs so that they bring that to campus and that be part of the educational fabric at santa clara. damian: that'll put your application on top of the pile. eva: absolutely, we see those standout applications all the time. in fact, i actually have a file of students who have inspired me because of the challenges and things that they've faced, and to then come to the point where they've submitted an application and then attended, it really is miraculous sometimes. and again, that's the reward. but it comes through. it's really important that students really share their stories that make them individuals. and everybody is, so the best they can convey that in an application, that will have them stand out. damian: all right. well, here's your chance to apply. it's santa clara university. there's the web address for more information and the main number that you can dial. thank you so much for inspiring so many people in this community. eva: thank you, damian. you too! damian: thank you very much, and up next here on

"comunidad del valle," a little bit of music and folklorico dancing, so stay with us.

comunidad on "que pasa." [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] damian: and our saludos for those celebrating a special day, felicidades. [music]

damian: and here is our contact info for next week's saludos. you can follow me on twitter. my handle is @newsdamian. also pick up a copy of "el observador" newspaper and support your bilingual weeklies all across the bay area. we thank you once again for sharing a part of your sunday. we'll be absent for the next couple of weeks while we air the olympics here on nbc. we're gonna leave you now here with a little bit of los mestizos de san jose dancing with mariachi vargas de tecalitlan. buenos dias. [music] [music]

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]

[singing in foreign language] [singing in foreign language] [music] [music] [singing in foreign language] [singing in foreign language]

[music] [music] [singing in foreign language] [singing in foreign language] [music]

(whispering) what are you doing up? (whispering) mom said i could have a midnight snack. well, i say it's late, and you need to go to bed. why? because i am the boss. you're not the boss, mom's the boss. well, technically, we are co-bosses. technically, mom's the boss. mmmm. shhh. the family favorite. yoplait.

no one has won more! the most dominant in olympic history and it's pure gold! >> if it's sunday, it must be day two at the 2016 rio games. it's another hot, humid and windy day. beaches of copacabana filled with sun bathers, enjoying the wrap-up of their weekend. hi, erch mike tirico, dan patrick and i with you for the next eight