Linda Garcia

Dr. Linda García is the Executive Director of the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) at the University of Texas at Austin. Her journey to this leadership role is marked by significant personal and professional milestones.

Background and Education

Growing up in a family where education was highly valued, Linda was influenced by her parents—her father was a migrant worker, and her mother immigrated from Mexico. This background instilled in her the belief that pursuing higher education was essential. Although she initially aspired to be a journalist like Diane Sawyer, her path led her to community college leadership.

Linda holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Brownsville, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration with a focus on community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin.13

Career Path

Before becoming Executive Director, Linda served as the Assistant Director of College Relations at CCCSE and held various roles in community colleges, including Vice President of Community College Relations at the Roueche Graduate Center. She has also worked at Lone Star College and Maricopa Community Colleges.12

Achievements

Linda has received several accolades for her contributions to education, including the Terry O’Banion Prize for inspiring significant change in teaching and learning, and the Leadership Excellence Award from the College of Education at UT Austin.16 She is also involved in coaching for initiatives like the American Association of Community Colleges' Pathways 2.0 program.

Current Role

In her current position at CCCSE, Linda focuses on enhancing student engagement and success in community colleges. Her leadership is informed by her personal experiences and commitment to equity in education.45