Early life and education
Garcia was born April 15, 1940, inBeginning: A family and career
On September 2, 1967, Garcia married Sandra Dorine Galloway, also an Albuquerque native and a graduate of Valley High school and the University of New Mexico. Since Garcia had obtained a faculty position in the Political Science department at the University of New Mexicoin the fall of 1970, he and his wife moved back to Albuquerque in the summer of 1970. Garcia began his academic career while completing his doctoral dissertation on the development of political orientations ofProfessor
Based on his research, publications and teaching, Garcia was awarded tenure and promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in 1974. Based on his continued scholarship he was promoted to Full Professor in 1978. He is one of the pioneers researching and writing in the field of Hispanic/Latino politics. His recognition as a scholar in this area as well as in campaigns, elections and New Mexico politics led to his being sought out for commentary and analysis by local, national and international media. After many years as a productive scholar, his accomplishments as a teacher, researcher and scholar were recognized as he was awarded the title of Distinguished Professor of Political Science. He retired from full-time teaching in 2007, but continued with his scholarly writings and taught a course in US Political Cultures on a part-time basis until 2011. While active in the political science profession he was very involved in its professional organizations. He served on several executive councils and committees of the American Political Science Association, Western Political Science Association, Western Social Science Association, Southwestern Social Science Association and American Association for Public Opinion Research. He was elected as Vice-President of thePollster
In 1973, he and two colleagues formed Zia Research Associates, a public opinion polling organization. This was the first full-service opinion survey research firm in the state of New Mexico. Zia Research enjoyed remarkable success as it accurately analyzed and projected the results of campaigns and elections in the state of New Mexico for the next twenty-five years. While his wife Sandy took over management of the firm, Garcia supplied political, historical and election commentary and analysis on local and national television stations as well as for the national and international press.Administration
Although one of his doctoral study fields was public administration, Garcia did not plan to enter the administrative profession, nor did he suspect that his study would be of use when he made an unplanned entry into higher education administration. In 1975, he was asked to be an Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. A year later he was promoted to Associate Dean. After a nationwide search, he was selected as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and he served in that position from July 1980 through December 1986 In that position he was the CEO and CFO of twenty academic departments and several institutes, centers and museums in the areas of the physical sciences, social sciences and humanities. Garcia was the first Hispanic American to be the Dean of the college. Garcia was persuaded to submit his application for the position of Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and after a national search, he was selected as the AVP, a position in which he served from January 1987 to July 1990. He returned to the political science faculty, but was called back to serve as an interim Provost twice—from January 1993 to July of that year and again from August 1998 to January 2000. In 2002, a faculty petition requested that the Regents appoint Garcia to the UNM Presidency. Although reluctant to return to administration, he was honored by this demonstration of collegial support and accepted a one-year term of service, 2002-2003. He was the first Hispanic American to be president of UNM. After completing his term, and having a sabbatical, he returned to the political science department.Research and publications
Garcia is the author, co-author, editor or co-editor of more than sixty books, monographs, chapters, articles and reviews. His twelve books 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 four editions of ''New Mexico Government'' (1976, 1981, 1994, 2006). He has presented numerous papers and served as a discussant at many professional conferences and conventions and has been a consultant to many civic, political and educational organizations, including the Educational Testing Service. His involvement in the most extensive research project was as Co-Principal Investigator in the first nationally representative study of the political attitudes and behaviors of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans and Cuban Americans—the Latino National Political Survey. The multi-year project (1987-1993) received over $2 million of grant support and involved door-to-door, in-person interviews of over 2,817 Latinos and 598 non-Latinos nationwide.Awards and honors
Garcia is the recipient of several awards and recognitions. These honors include the Silver Horizons Albuquerque Hall of Fame, 2009; Distinguished Service Award, North Central Association Higher Learning Commission, 2007; Honorary Commander, New Mexico Air National Guard, 2005-2006; Bernard S. Rodey Award for Educational Leadership, UNM Alumni Association, 2004; the State of New Mexico Governor's Distinguished Public Service Award, 2003; University of New Mexico, Mortar Board, LOBO Award, 2003; New Mexico State Senate Memorial 50, “Memorial of Appreciation Recognizing Contributions to the State of New Mexico,”46th Legislature, First Session, 2003; the American Political Science Association, Franklin J. Goodnow Award for Distinguished Service, 2001; the University of New Mexico Alumni Association Zia Award for Outstanding UNM Alumni, 1997; the University of New Mexico Regents Meritorious Service Medal, 1996;Davis, William E. (2006). ''Miracle on the Mesa: A History of the University of New Mexico, 1889-2003'', p. 427. The University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque Chief Manuelito Appreciation Award, "In Recognition of Meritorious Contribution to Navajo Education," Presented by the Navajo Nation, April 15, 1986; American Political Science Association, Recognition Award, COSCP, "In Recognition of Excellence in Scholarship and Service to the Profession," August 29, 1985; New Mexico Humanities Council Newspaper Project Award for "Public Opinion Polls: An Addition to Our Political Education," January, 1983; Outstanding Alumni Award, Valley High School, Albuquerque, 1981; Literary Award, UNM Mesa Chicana, Association of Chicano Students, May 1977; inclusion in ''Who's Who in the World'', ''Who's Who in America'', ''Who’s Who in American Education'', ''Who's Who in the West'', ''Who's Who Among Hispanic Americans and Contemporary Authors''.References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia, F Chris Living people 1940 births University of New Mexico presidents University of New Mexico alumni University of California, Davis alumni Valley High School alumni