F. Chris Garcia

Among F. Chris Garcia's most significant research endeavors was his role as the Co-Principal Investigator in the Latino National Political Survey. This groundbreaking study, conducted from 1987 to 1993, focused on the political attitudes and behaviors of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans. It was the first nationally representative study of its kind and involved extensive research, including in-person interviews with over 2,800 Latinos and 598 non-Latinos across the United States. The project received substantial grant support and provided valuable insights into the diverse perspectives within the Latino community. While Garcia initially did not plan to pursue a career in higher education administration, his dedication and leadership skills also led him to excel in this arena. In 1975, he was appointed as the Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Mexico, and his abilities soon earned him promotion to Associate Dean and then Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1980. In this role, he oversaw various academic departments, institutes, centers, and museums, making him the first Hispanic American to hold such a position at the university.