it's normal. with calhope's free and secure mental health resources, it's easy to get the help you and your loved ones need when you need it the most. call our warm line at (833) 317-4673 or live chat at calhope.org today. damian trujillo: hello and welcome to "comunidad del valle," i'm damian trujillo. and today he's here, the great artist from the bay area, call our warm line at (833) 317-4673 nacho moya, on your "comunidad del valle." ♪♪♪

damian: we begin with a great opportunity for first gen and for low-income students all across the state of california. with me is eva blanco masias, who's a vice president of enrollment management at santa clara university. eva, welcome to the show. eva blanco masias: thank you, damian, it's great to be here. damian: thank you for being here. well, share this great news with us, i'm pretty excited about this. eva: yes. now i'm happy to share. so santa clara university along with eight other universities across the state of california have formed an alliance. we're all private independent colleges throughout the state coming together to really bring an announcement to our communities in the state of california that we are here and that we are an option that we have great programs for undergraduate students. so, very often there's a perception that our universities are inaccessible that were a little bit more expensive, but we are here too, again, sort of join forces to say that we are an opportunity for students.

and so, as an alliance that we have formed what we're doing is that we are bringing webinars, we are bringing information, we'll be having opportunities throughout the state also in the form of college fairs, et cetera. so stay tuned. and there's a great website where students and families can go to, and it's the californiaprivatecollage ispossible.org. so it is caprivatecollageispossible.org. damian: okay, i think we'll have that website at the conclusion of these next couple of segments that we have with you. but--so how, how does this work? first gen and low-income students, they may be able to qualify to attend one of these private universities. eva: absolutely, and similar to the way that students meet with their counselors during high school and they talk about their college options. we just wanna bring to light and highlight all the great universities and colleges in the state of california that are private.

and so there's more, in addition, certainly to these eight. we all are part of an association called the association of independent california colleges and universities, aiccu. and they're, again, just great options. it's possible that families may not have heard of us and again may consider or think that we might be a little bit out of reach, but we are not. we are here, we are great options very often. our communities may be a little smaller, classroom sizes may be a little smaller, but just great fits for students as they're considering their college choices. and we think it's just a great again, message to bring to students because we all want to aspire for our dreams, and we are, again, here to support students of first generation low-income families in our communities. damian: and again, we're talking about some big universities like yours, santa clara university, stanford university, and several others who have joined forces to see that this in fact, does happen.

eva: that's right, this alliance includes caltech, claremont mckenna, harvey mudd, oxidental, pomona, santa clara university scripps, stanford, and usc. so certainly ones that folks have heard about, and we hope that students will take a look and inform themselves again about the opportunities and our deadlines which generally come up in the fall. damian: and what's entailed in the alliance? is it--how are we assuring that these first gen, other than advising them that, "hey, we're here." how do we assure that they're able to pay for that private college education? eva: well, again, so in this website, we will be forming together, we'll be announcing everything from webinars and events and activities that we'll be hosting together, including information on financial aid. financial aid can be a very complex process, there's different forms involved. and because we're different institutions may--we may also have different processes and scholarships as well.

so that is the idea of this alliance, that there's a one place, a hub, where students can access this information on the variations of these opportunities and deadlines. damian: and because, you know, having a senior of my own, you're looking at the college expenses and it can get scary for many families. you're saying it doesn't have to be scary? eva: it doesn't have to be. and we do want to, again, really caution families that the price tag in the end, while on the front end, may seem a little squa--scary. it's not until you receive the financial aid and that offer admission that you really then know what that cost is going to be. and very often, because we're private institutions, you know, we've been fundraising, we have great scholarships that very often can really fund those students that have that need. it's just a matter of them submitting, again, their forms follow the processes, but in the end, you wanna be accepted

to these universities, get that financial aid offer, and then sit down and see if that's financially possible. but until you get there, you're not gonna know. so, on the front end, please don't discount any university that might present, again, a great opportunity academically in terms of programs and venture. and that's what we're--the message we're really trying to get through to families is to consider private universities and don't discount 'em from the very beginning. damian: all right, well, we do have that information for you, if you'd like to get ahold of the folks there. there it is on your screen private college possible and there is the https for you. we'll be back with the vice president of enrollment management at santa clara university.

an: we're talking here on "comunidad del valle" with eva blanco masias, who is the vice president of enrollment engagement or management at santa clara university here on "comunidad del valle."

you know, i'm a spartan, i'm a san jose state alum. but you know, the options for me were limited because i think it was only state schools that, you know, affordability was an issue. but you're saying, again, once to reiterate that's not necessarily the way it has to be. eva: i am, you know, i've been here at the university, in fact for 20 years, and i've seen instance after instance, and i'm out there recruiting along with our team of admission officers as well as all these universities, and we're there to talk to the families and say that again, it is an option and i understand that firsthand. i myself was only considering public schools until somebody told me that private universities were an option. i ended up going to a private university, and it turned out to be a really great fit because i found myself in just a community that made--that fit well for me, that was smaller classroom sizes where i could find some support systems that were in the end,

helped me graduate very quickly. and, you know, in the four years without spending any more time. and so again, these are just universities that are independent, they vary in size or throughout the country. we vary in sort of the approaches, even the programs. so students may be looking for very specialized areas of study, and what we're trying to really promote here is how again we're options. and it's just a matter of understanding the deadlines, they do differ from the cal states and the ucs. and again, we may have slightly different processes on how to apply for particular scholarships but again, very, very accessible and just great opportunities for students, and we certainly would wanna invite them to be a part of our communities. i find it also particularly important to mention to the families that--especially, as we think about the changes that may

be coming from the supreme court decision on race-based admissions said, even more important that students really get in front of this and inform themselves of the options so that they can begin sort of forming these pathways while they're going through high school, and have those conversations with those in high school who can help them on the deadlines, again, on the pathways. and those conversations can begin as early as the ninth grade as soon as they enter high school. so we wouldn't encourage again, students and families to begin that process early on. damian: yeah, so start thinking about that because, you know, come your junior year, it's all gonna hit the fan if you will. and by the time the stress level just the gets higher and higher, the--you know, the more you progress into high school. so start on that early. what does that say about the commitment to the first gen low-income students by this coalition, eva?

eva: you know, it's a great commitment and it goes hand in hand certainly with commitment, with the state as well. we wanna develop our opportunities, workforce for the future, really prepare students for the jobs that will be available, the needs of the state. so we really are in the business here, the universities are developing leaders of developing contributing members of our society in a number of different ways. so us being able to, again, bring students into our universities to cultivate their talents, their skills, and connect 'em to the greatest needs of our state, of our country is really what we do as institutions. and so i think that that's commitment that we're all as the--in--as part of this alliance really fortifying here is that we want to develop the communities first gen,

low-income, which all have a right to higher education. damian: well, some of my daughter's classmates have been finding out throughout this process as well. tuition might be here, but guess what? you're getting a scholarship that's gonna pay for half of that, or more than half of that. and so, like you said, you don't know unless you apply what you might qualify for. eva: you don't know until you get there, and you're absolutely right. in fact universities, private and independent colleges, very often have their own funds, institutional funds, in addition to what the state might offer and in addition to what the federal government might offer. so when you start bringing these together it really can cover a good majority if not all of it sometimes of the college expense. not to mention, there's also--in any one of our communities, there's always organizations that also want to see students thrive. so students can also apply to private community external

scholarships that then can then be contributed added to that. so, you know, it sometimes it takes a village, right? and piecing these parts together but in the end, again, very possible to then make it to college and pay for college. damian: all right. well, we thank you so much. eva masias blanco, the vice president there at the santa clara university. thank you for sharing that valuable information with us. eva: thank you, damian. damian: all right. thank you. and for more information, we're gonna show that info on the screen for you. there it is, california private college is possible. that's a new initiative. up next here on "comunidad del valle," the great local artist popular now, nacho moya, stay with us.

damian: he's been doing some amazing work. he's now joining us here on "comunidad del valle," finally, nacho moya, the great painter and artist is here on the show.

nacho, welcome to "comunidad del valle." nacho moya: well, thank you so much for inviting me today. it's an honor for me to be here and share a little bit about moya art and my story here. damian: no, thank you. we appreciate you. now, i--personally from my family, i want to thank you because this is what you helped my wife paint and this is--oh esta reverse--this is--you helped my daughter paint this all at the same time, and this is my wife's tambien. and they did this during the time where, you know, we all suffered in this country during covid. you saved a whole lot of people's mental health by helping them do this online during covid. so thank you very much. nacho: no, no, thank you so much, i mean, for sharing these beautiful paintings. i mean, it's they--did an amazing job. your family did an amazing job. i love doing this and i think during covid, doing these free classes online was a blessing to me too, you know, and blessing

others was the best thing during covid for me, you know, making that negativity into positive, you know, bring in joy. damian: and, you know, and when we were watching you do your live classes online during covid, we later found out, "oh, he's from gilroy, he's local." we had no idea that you were local, but did that skyrocket you into the big star that you are today? because it seems like if there was ever a positive to come out of covid, it said it really launched a few things and one may have been your career here locally. nacho: yeah, it helped me out a lot, you know, because before covid, i was well known here in the south county and everything, you know, and i was going there, but like covid--doing these classes online, you know, i went all over the world now and i have people from all over the country and joined my classes

in other countries, you know, canada, new zealand, australia, europe, and argentina, mexico, ecuador, chile, to have a lot of people following me now from other countries, and that was a blessing for me. damian: and i mean, it did launch you into stardom but tell--it looks complicated, it looks difficult but it really is not. tell us how long it should take someone to paint something like this, la virgen de guadalupe. nacho: you know, it takes about an hour, like when i do like more like the private class and online or in person. but when i used to do online on facebook, it took a little longer 'cause there was some people from all over the place, and sometimes they will come in naturally behind, so way a little longer. so we took like, about an hour and a half online, but it takes about one hour doing that. damian: and during the--again, during covid it was free and now we're thinking, how can he do these classes for free?

just go on youtube or that's a challenge and did it on, how can he afford to do this? nacho: i don't know. i just---honestly, this is something that i talk to myself and i think, you know, i believe in god and i ask god, you know, like, well, "what can i do now?" 'cause there's nothing, that i can't open my studio anymore for i don't know how long. so i--and i said, i'm gonna start doing free classes. i'm gonna go online and just get my camera. i went to the--i got a--i had a tripod, set it up in my house, and then start doing this for free and then people start joining the classes from all over the world. so like, this is amazing. so though this--it was a blessing. something that i do--i did without expecting nothing back, you know? damian: yeah, well, now you are good and thank you again for that. but now you have a big gallery and you're spreading your wings, you're expanding. nacho: yeah, i'm expanding 'cause now i wanna be able to host more events in my studio where i don't have any more space. so i need a bigger space now, so i'm getting an--well, i already got the keys for the other building, is 3,000 square foot

building, so it's gonna be nice for events there. damian: and a lot of accolades, we see some of the things behind you, some of the awards and recognitions in there. so, and how warming--how--yeah, how warm is it to know that the community appreciates you, congratulates you, and gives you these accolades, these awards? nacho: well, you know, one of the things that--it got very emotional when they called me and they told me, "nacho, you're getting the martin luther king freedom of award this year" and i was like, wow. i was like, so emotional. okay, i couldn't believe i was getting that award 'cause few years ago i went to that event and then i told myself, i wanna be there one day. now for sure, i'll be getting this award one day, but i didn't know i was gonna get it soon. i was--i thought i was, maybe in 50 years i will get it, you know, but i got this year, actually this year. damian: and you're gonna keep going, right? i mean, there's things sending your--some of your artwork

around the country, making sure that other people get to see it live and in person. nacho: yeah, yeah. well, right now, yeah. so the--i'm doing still--i'm still doing those free classes on facebook, but i still doing more events with companies and schools in person and also online. damian: all right. well, nacho moya is a guy we're talking to. he's a world famous artist and painter, there is his information, he's on eigleberry street there in gilroy, there's his website. we'll be back with nacho moya, stay with us.

damian: nacho moya is a gentleman next to me. he's a world famous artist and painter. and you've painted some very important sentimental people to all of us. one of them is the mother of los tigres del norte. nacho: oh, yeah, oh yeah, i did la madre de los tigres del norte i know i've been--i met los tigres del norte a few years ago

in person, that i was one of my dreams and it happened to me, but when donya consolo passed away, i decided to make a painting, is a tribute to her, you know, and it was very, very touchable, you know, and los tigres loved the painting and actually have it here in my gallery. so hopefully, you know, hernán, he's gonna come to the studio and pick it up here, so he's gonna take it home. damian: all right. no, but what an honor and another person who also visited you and spent some time with you, some quality time in gilroy, in your studio, was a legendary dolores huerta. nacho: yeah, oh my, i was so surprise yesterday, she came. i did a painting of dolores huerta here form my studio. it said "si, se puede," a bunch of words like positive words, like be kind, love, and follow your dreams and all those beautiful words. and she came and told me a lot of words, a lot of nice words

about what i do, and she inspired me even more now and later we went to eat dinner together. so it was great to spend the evening with her. damian: yeah, what's that like, porque es una señora in her early 90s. and you think that at that age we're all going to be, you know, losing it a little bit but not her, verdad, she's still a firecracker. she's as smart as anyone else, and she'll challenge you if you need to be challenged. nacho: honestly, oh my god, i can feel her energy. her energy is very powerful. i mean she's 93 years old. she's--her birthday was april 10, and that's why i did a video about her too. but being around her is like, you can feel energy. and i was like, i wanna be 93 and look like this, you know? damian: so what is your form that you use? this is oil on--it's just water on canvas. is that what you mainly work on?

nacho: right now? yeah. that--i'm working with acrylics, that is water base. i love doing acrylics, to be honest. and then some people think it's oils because the way i mix in blend colors now, but i've been learning a lot more with acrylics, how to make it look like oils because oils--and i like it, but it takes a long time to dry. damian: and it was at a young age that you were inspired, right, a very young age" nacho: a very young age, yeah, of course. i was in sixth grade when i won a contest and i won first place, and then i earned a backpack with my art. and so i decided--i think i got really motivated to decide what i wanted to do in my life. so i said i want to become an artist when i get older, and here i am, you know, i own my own gallery now and expanding. damian: and i've seen some of the paintings that you've done, and--how is it that you're able to get the person on the painting to look like the person who's live

in front of you, in person? porque son idénticas-- they're identical. are your paintings to your subject matter? nacho: i think, you know, it just as you work and you practice, you get better and better and that's some things that i tell people. you know, sometimes it looks easy to do this, but it took me 30 years to do this, you know? but it takes time but i--that's what i tell everybody, "hey, you know, wanna follow your dreams, gotta start working out. so when you get at this age, you are already professional and it's easy for you." damian: yeah, tell those young people about the challenges and maybe some failures at some point, and how you pick yourself up and go back and get it again. nacho: well the--i think the key for to success is always to like never give up and also believe in yourself. and also believe that, and the failing is part of success, always is--whatever, you know, there's no losing

when you are--it's only for me, is winning and learning. so failing is learning for me. so i tell my students, you know, don't be afraid of failing because failing is part of success. and then i--you know, to be able to get it right, you gotta get it wrong, so don't be afraid to be--to do that, you know? damian: do you think--did you ever imagine that you'd get to where you are now? you know, it is not easy. it's not easy to become successful. are are you surprised or is it about time? nacho: honestly, i'm not surprised too much because i have this vision in my head, you know. i visualize and i knew i wanted to be a well-known artist, but it's just something in your mind but seeing them like in live, real life it's surprising, you know? of course, it's surprising, you know? damian: yeah, well i just

want to let you know that these paintings are not sitting in the attic, they're not in the garage. all these paintings are displayed prominently around our house. so that's how much your work is important to us. nacho: tell your wife and your kids that they did an amazing job, that i'm so proud of them, and keep aiming. and then that was great to meet your wife the other day too. damian: all right. nacho moya, thank you so much for inspiring all of us and for the great work and continued success. nacho: no, thank you for inviting me here. so it was blessing to be here today. damian: all right. thank you very much. nacho moya, ladies and gentlemen, painter here "comunidad del valle." and here's the information on the screen. he's on eigleberry street in gilroy, there is his website for more information, nacho moya art gallery and studio. it's in gilroy but it's expanding and coming to a city near you. well if you wanna get ahold of us here on "comunidad del valle." you can follow me on instagram, my handle is @newsdamiantrujillo.

on twitter, my handle is @newsdamian. and we thank you so much for sharing a part of your sunday with us on "comunidad del valle." we're gonna see you here again next week with more news and entertainment. so we'll see you next week. ♪♪♪ cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.abercap.io