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Alma
G. Garcia, former principal of Perkins Middle School in Brownsville, has joined
UTB/TSC as Director of the GEAR UP program.
GEAR
UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.
Garcia will direct the program that will prepare middle school students for
college.
“Even
though I am leaving BISD, I will still have a strong connection to the school
district,” said Garcia. “I am now going to be involved in helping students
prepare for the future, not only in BISD but other school districts as well.”
Under
Garcia’s guidance, GEAR UP will address the areas of curriculum and college
awareness beginning with students in the seventh grade.
Garcia
will work with superintendents of the school districts of Brownsville,
Harlingen, San Benito, Los Fresnos, Rio Hondo and Port Isabel as well as
community partners such as the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, Valley Coca Cola
Bottling Company, Greater Texas Student Loan Corporation, Brownsville Medical
Center and Valley Regional Medical Center. All play a critical role in the
success of GEAR UP.
A
goal of GEAR UP is to help students prepare for college by assisting with
tutoring, mentoring and counseling. Students and parents will also be provided
with financial aid application information. A third feature will be for public
schools to offer more advanced placement courses, which will allow students to
earn college credit through high school courses.
Funding
for the program comes from a $7.9 million federal grant that UTB/TSC received
last year. It was the largest federal grant ever awarded to the university.
Garcia
brings to the university more than 20 years of experience as a classroom
teacher, assistant principal and principal.
“I
feel my many years in public school education prepares me for this new and very
important position,” said Garcia. “I believe I can promote the goals of GEAR
UP through public awareness, involve teachers in staff development and training
and work with our community partners to help this program succeed.”
Garcia
comes to the university having had a successful career as a school principal.
Under
Garcia’s leadership, Villa Nueva Elementary School was honored for its
academic excellence and received the Governors Excellence Award in 1990.
When Garcia was Principal of Yturria Elementary School, the school was
selected by the Texas Education Agency as a recognized school in 1995. The
school was also selected by Texas Monthly
magazine as one of “The Best Schools in the State of Texas” receiving the
prestigious Four Star Award.
She
has received numerous honors including the 1995 Administrator of the Year award
from the Association of Brownsville Administrators. Her presentations at school
conferences across the nation regarding technology integration culminated in
being featured in the publication Images
of Technology in Texas Schools.
In
1998, she was chosen to introduce President Bill Clinton to a host of
dignitaries and local citizens upon the President’s official visit to
Brownsville.
Garcia
attended TSC in 1974. She continued her education at Pan American University and
received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. She earned a masters degree in
education from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1994.
Garcia
and her husband, Nago, have three children – two sons attending BISD schools,
and one daughter attending UTB/TSC.
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