Alumnus Vicente Galvan: The Foundation of a Career
For many, a college diploma represents a personal accomplishment, the culmination of years of hard work. For Vicente Galvan, a 2023 mechanical engineering graduate of the University of San Diego's (USD) Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, his degree is a symbol of something much deeper: a legacy of unwavering dedication and shared sacrifice.
Today, as a project manager for USD’s Department of Planning, Design and Construction, Galvan isn't just an alumnus; he's an active shaper of the campus' future, guiding several transformative projects that will benefit generations of students. His professional journey at USD is a testament to the powerful connection between his personal history and his professional path, a bond forged long before he stepped onto campus as a student.
Vicente's mother, Patty Galvan, a devoted USD employee for 29 years, began her career at the university in 1996 as a cashier in the Hughes Administration Center, later moving to loan administration and student accounts before finding her long-term home as an administrative manager in facilities. When she first joined USD, she never anticipated staying for nearly three decades. "I quickly fell in love with the culture and the beauty of the campus," she recalls.
It was the university's tuition remission benefit that sparked a powerful idea. "I learned about tuition remission and thought maybe one day my sons will attend here," Patty says. She saw a pathway to provide an opportunity for her children that she didn't have. At a young age, Galvan expressed a desire to study mechanical engineering. "At that point I made the decision to work hard so that the opportunity would be there for him if he chose. He was diligent in his studies and accepted the offer to study here."
For Galvan, being accepted into USD was more than an academic achievement; it was a profound family milestone. He would be the first in his family to graduate from college.
The pinnacle of this shared journey came on graduation day. In a moment that encapsulated their joint effort and sacrifice, both mother and son walked across the stage together, with President Harris presenting his diploma — a special privilege afforded to long-serving USD employees. "It was a culmination of so much of our work," Galvan reflects. "It was a huge moment for both of us."
Patty echoes this sentiment, "We are incredibly blessed by the benefits USD has afforded our family in providing an opportunity for an education at such a prestigious university. It is difficult to put into words how proud we are of him. He is an amazing son and grandson, and an even better brother, and we love him every day."
Galvan's close connection to the university continues to deepen in his professional role. He's actively involved as the project manager of multiple simultaneous remodel and construction projects for the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. In 2024, he successfully completed a renovation of the third-floor electrical engineering (EE) lab, BEC 315, transforming it into a vibrant interdisciplinary space.
Following that, major upgrades to two second-floor EE labs — BEC 205, a dedicated EE lab, and BEC 206, the Chang Innovation Lab — were initiated in the summer of 2025 and completed in time for the Fall 2025 semester. The work doesn't stop there. Future plans include the renovation of EE lab BEC 207 and the long-awaited installation of new windows across the three second-floor labs during Intersession 2026.
Galvan is also managing the transformation of Guadalupe Hall, a two-story building that will soon become a vital extension of the Belanich Engineering Center, providing expanded space for academic and administrative functions. This renovation will physically and symbolically reorient the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, giving it a prominent facade facing the center of the USD campus.
Beyond the Belanich Engineering Center, Galvan is a key player in one of the University’s most significant projects currently underway on campus — the design and construction of the new Shiley STEM Building. This state-of-the-art facility is envisioned to foster innovative collaboration between the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. It represents a forward-thinking investment in interdisciplinary education, which is crucial for tackling the complex challenges of the future.
Reflecting on his involvement, Galvan shares a sentiment of purpose and gratitude: “In a way it feels like I am giving back to a program which has given me so much. It feels great to be a part of these projects and hopefully benefit the next generation of changemaking engineers.”
As Vicente Galvan now pursues his MBA at the University of San Diego, he is building on the foundation laid by his mother, shaping the future of his alma mater for years to come.
— By Michelle Sztupkay