Villa, Jose D. (1931-2018)
Date Updated
10-24-2019
Department
Social Work
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
1992
Educational Background
San Jose State University, (Ed.), 1975 MA
Arizona State University, 1968 MSW
University of New Mexico, 1960 BA
Teaching Experience
San Jose State University, 1979-1992
San Jose Unified School District, 1971-1973
San Jose State College, 1969-1971
Administrative and Professional Experience
Expert Consultant, Inter‑Agency Committee on Mexican‑American Affairs, chaired by V.P. Hubert H. Humphrey, Washington, D.C., 1967 (summer).
Executive Director, Mexican‑American Community Services Agency, San Jose, CA, 1973‑1979.
Selected Publications
Villa, Jose D., "Grassroots Community Development: The Role of the Organizer," New Designs for Youth Development(Prof. Journal), Vol. 11, No. 4, Fall 1994, Associates for Youth Development (Publisher), Tucson, AZ.
Villa, Jose, and Soto, Antonio, "Una Platica: Mexican‑American Approaches to Death and Dying," Social Work Practice with the Terminally Ill, edited by Joan Parry, Charles C. Thomas Publishers, Springfield, IL, 1990.
Files
Personal Commentary
We are retired in Northern New Mexico in an old adobe abode which was restored with the help of their 8 children. Their children, 10 grandchildren, relatives, and friends help us enjoy our surroundings of the Rio Grande, mountains, historical and cultural history, and traditions for which Santa Fe and Taos are recognized and appreciated worldwide.
While at San Jose State, my wife and I were very involved in community work and in our church. Jose served on the Archdiocese of San Francisco board of education, and his wife was head of the Santa Clara County Parent Teacher Group. Both were charter members of the Saint Joseph Cathedral Choir, and were invited to join the choir on a concert tour to Rome in May 1995.
In 1969, Jose received the first faculty appointment at San Jose State to assist in establishing the School of Social Work which had the unique mission of preparing professional social workers for service to the Chicano Community. In 1979, Jose was recognized as one of the top 40 movers and shakers in a study conducted by the San Jose Mercury News. Jose was an outspoken advocate of poor and oppressed groups. In 1984, he received the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) distinguished community service award. In 1985, the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Work conferred upon him the prestigious Koshland Award as outstanding practitioner in the State of California.
We helped to organize a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Espanola and Los Alamos. My wife has expanded her artistic interest in watercolor and printmaking and is currently showing in four galleries. Jose has returned to the world of work and is at Espanola Middle School organizing parents to support their children to become educated.
Date Completed: 9/96
Adapted from: Biographies of Retired Faculty San Jose State University 1997: A Project of the Emeritus Faculty Association of San Jose State University. San Jose, CA: The University, 1997.