F. Chris Garcia: A Real Success

F. Chris Garcia: Improving Education

F. Chris Garcia was a member of both the American Political Science Association, in which he served as Vice President, and the Western Political Science Association, in which he was the President from 1977-78. He is a former University of New Mexico Professor of Political Science. He learned to play the trumpet at the age of eight and participated in concert, dance and marching bands for several years.

He was also a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Committed to improving the standard of education in Albuquerque and greater New Mexico, he has worked hard to make every aspect of students’ education better, beginning with their primary education and continuing through every level of their schooling. He has also served on the APSA Committee on Pre-Collegiate Education as well as the Accreditation Review Council of the North Central Association of Colleges’ Higher Learning Commission. In college, he and his friends started a country-western band in which he played the guitar.

F. Chris Garcia’s 40-year career in the field of education was marked by his significant contributions to the Albuquerque community. He has been in numerous musical theater productions and has also been a member of several community choirs. He enjoys viewing and participating in fine arts programs.

The community has recognized his contributions through several awards, including the distinguished service awards from the NCA Higher Learning Commission, the American Political Science Association, the UNM Regents, the UNM Alumni Association and by his induction into the Silver Horizons Albuquerque Hall of Fame in 2009. He taught on the UNM campus for over 40 years, also serving his academic community in administrative capacities ranging from Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences all the way to the position of President of the University.