Alumni Advocates of the Year

John Gibbs
San José State University

John Gibbs is the chief of staff for Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage. Over the past 15 years, he has served as a political aide and consultant to candidates for the board of supervisors, city council, and on campaigns for transportation, library and park measures.

An experienced and strong advocate for San José State University and the CSU system, Gibbs has participated in many personal visits with legislators both locally and in Sacramento. He frequently speaks on behalf of SJSU at legislative meetings and community events, and he played a prominent role in gaining recognition by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for SJSU’s sesquicentennial anniversary in 2007. As president-elect of SJSU’s Alumni Association, Gibbs has been on the board of directors since 2002. Currently, he serves on the following committees: executive, nominating, and marketing and membership. In addition, he has been heavily involved with SJSU’s Political Science Alumni Group.

Gibbs earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from San José State in 1983, a law degree from Willamette University in 1986 and then returned to SJSU for his MPA in 1990.