F Chris Garcia, born on April 15, 1940, is a distinguished educator, scholar, researcher, author, public opinion pollster, and higher education administrator. Throughout his illustrious career, he has held various esteemed positions at the University of New Mexico, including serving as the university's president from 2002 to 2003. As the first native New Mexican Hispanic to hold positions such as college dean, academic vice president, and president at the University of New Mexico, Garcia has made significant contributions to academia and the Hispanic community
Early Life and Education
He was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico He was the eldest of six children, born to Flaviano Perea Garcia and Crucita A. Garcia. With deep roots in New Mexico, Garcia traces his
lineage back to Juan Lopez Holguin, an early settler who arrived in the Santa Fe area in 1598 Garcia's early education began at St. Francis Catholic Xavier School, where he spent his first seven years In 1947, his family moved to the north valley of Albuquerque, and he graduated from Valley High School in 1957.
Shortly after high school graduation, Garcia joined the New Mexico Air National Guard, where he served for six years while pursuing higher education at the University of New Mexico. He completed his undergraduate studies with a major in Government and Citizenship, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 Inspired by his passion for education and teaching, Garcia continued his studies at UNM, obtaining a master's in Government and Education with a Secondary Education certificate Encouraged by his mentors, he pursued further education to prepare for a career in teaching at the college level
Garcia's academic journey led him to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he began his studies in political science in 1964. He later transferred to the University of California, Davis (UCD), where he completed his doctoral program in political science and earned a Ph D in 1972
Beginning: A Family and Career
In 1967, F. Chris Garcia married Sandra Dorine Galloway, an Albuquerque native and fellow graduate of Valley High School and the University of New Mexico Their union began a fulfilling personal life alongside Garcia's burgeoning career In 1970, Garcia and his wife returned to Albuquerque after he secured a faculty position in the Political Science department at the University of New Mexico
Garcia embarked on his academic career while completing his doctoral dissertation, which explored the political orientations of Mexican American children in California Initially hired as an Assistant Professor of Political Science, he taught courses on American Politics, Public Opinion, Political Socialization, and New Mexico Government Over the years, Garcia's interests expanded to encompass education and ethnic group politics, leading him to develop and teach courses on Politics and Education, The Politics of Ethnic Groups, and Chicano Politics.
As his scholarly contributions grew, Garcia earned tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1974 and Full Professor in 1978. Recognized as a leading scholar in Hispanic/Latino politics, campaigns, elections, and New Mexico politics, Garcia became a sought-after commentator and analyst for local, national, and international media. Recognizing his achievements as a teacher, researcher, and scholar, he was awarded the title of Distinguished Professor of Political Science
Professor
Garcia's commitment to the field of political science extended beyond the classroom. He actively participated in professional organizations such as the American Political Science Association,
the Western Political Science Association, the Western Social Science Association, the Southwestern Social Science Association, and the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Garcia served on executive councils and committees within these organizations, and his expertise was widely acknowledged, leading to his election as Vice-President of the American Political Science Association and President of the Western Political Science Association.
F. Chris Garcia authored, co-authored, edited, or co-edited over sixty books, monographs, chapters, articles, and reviews throughout his career. Noteworthy publications include "The Political Socialization of Chicano Children" (1973), "The Chicano Political Experience" (1977), "Latinos and the Political System" (1988), "Latino Voices: Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban
Perspectives on American Politics" (1992), "Pursuing Power: Latinos and the Political System" (1997), "Hispanics and the US Political System: Moving into the Mainstream" (2008), and multiple editions of "New Mexico Government" (1976, 1981, 1994, 2006)
Garcia's most significant research endeavor was his involvement as the Co-Principal Investigator in the Latino National Political Survey, the first nationally representative study focusing on the political attitudes and behaviors of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans This multi-year project, conducted from 1987 to 1993, involved extensive research and received substantial grant support The study encompassed in-person interviews with over 2,800 Latinos and 598 non-Latinos nationwide.
Administration
While Garcia initially did not plan to pursue a career in higher education administration, circumstances led him to make an unplanned entry into this field In 1975, he was appointed Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Mexico. His dedication and leadership skills soon earned him a promotion to Associate Dean, followed by his appointment as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1980. During his tenure as dean, Garcia oversaw the college's academic departments, institutes, centers, and museums, assuming the roles of CEO and CFO Notably, he became the first Hispanic American to hold the university's Dean position.
After a national search, Garcia was selected as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1987, a position he held until 1990. Following his term as AVP, Garcia returned to the political science faculty but was twice called back to serve as interim Provost, from January to July 1993 and from August 1998 to January 2000. In 2002, Garcia's esteemed colleagues petitioned for his appointment as the President of the University of New Mexico. Although initially hesitant to return to administration, he accepted the position as a demonstration of collegial support. He was president from 2002 to 2003, becoming the first Hispanic American to hold this prestigious position at UNM
Research and Publications
Garcia's extensive research contributions have solidified his reputation as a distinguished scholar. His publications span a wide range of topics within political science, including Hispanic/Latino politics, campaigns, elections, and the New Mexico government Throughout his career, Garcia has presented numerous papers, been a discussant at professional conferences and conventions, and acted as a consultant to various civic, political, and educational organizations
Awards and Honors
F. Chris Garcia's outstanding achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors Some notable distinctions include the Silver Horizons Albuquerque Hall of Fame (2009),
Distinguished Service Award from the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission (2007), Bernard S Rodey Award for Educational Leadership from the UNM Alumni Association (2004), Governor's Distinguished Public Service Award from the State of New Mexico (2003), Franklin J. Goodnow Award for Distinguished Service from the American Political Science Association (2001), and the University of New Mexico Alumni Association Zia Award for Outstanding UNM Alumni (1997) In addition, Garcia has been included in various prestigious publications such as Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who Among Hispanic Americans
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Garcia finds joy and fulfillment in music, specifically singing With a passion nurtured since age three, Garcia cherishes the emotional connections and expression that music provides
In addition to his dedication to education and scholarship, Garcia has shown unwavering commitment to philanthropy. He consistently contributes to numerous international, national, and local charities, sharing his resources to impact communities in need positively
Notable Events and Anniversaries
An upcoming milestone in Garcia's life is his 56th wedding anniversary with his wife, Sandra Dorine Galloway, on September 2, 2023
Through his remarkable career as an educator, scholar, researcher, author, public opinion pollster, and higher education administrator, F Chris Garcia has left an indelible mark on the academic community and the Hispanic population. His dedication to teaching, research, and administrative leadership has shaped the landscape of political science and higher education at the University of New Mexico and beyond