Dr. Mildred Garcia

President
California State University, Dominguez Hills

Mildred García, Ed.D., is the seventh president of California State University, Dominguez Hills and the first Latina president in the California State University system. CSU Dominguez Hills is a comprehensive urban university located in Los Angeles County. Over 12,000 enrolled students choose from 45 baccalaureate degrees and 21 master’s degrees offered by the University’s six colleges. Assuming the presidency on August 1, 2007, Dr. García is a good fit for one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse universities in the western United States. Named to Hispanic Business magazine’s 100 Most Influential Hispanics list for 2007, President García brought with her a commitment to multicultural alliances and belief that these coalitions strengthen students’ self-development and opportunities, as well as strengthening institutions and communities.

García came to Dominguez Hills after serving from 2001 to 2007 as president of Berkeley College in New York and New Jersey, where she championed the cause of access with success—the obligation to make the attainment of a college degree a realistic goal for all who strive to succeed. Under her leadership, the college began offering full academic programs in an online format, and over 28 bachelor’s and associate’s degrees were approved. Prior to Berkeley, she was at Arizona State University (1997-2001), Montclair State University (1986-1996), and Hostos Community College of City University of New York (1979-1986).

An educator foremost, García is a scholar in the field of higher education. Her research has concentrated on equity in higher education and its impact on policy and practice. She has written extensively and is a much sought-after speaker at national and international conferences. Among the books she has authored are Succeeding in an Academic Career, Assessing Campus Diversity Initiatives (co-published); and Transforming the First Year of College for Students of Color (with Laura I. Rendón and Dawn Person). Most recently, she was a keynote speaker at the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ Annual Meeting, and presented at the American Council on Education’s Third Summit for Women of Color Administrators in Higher Education.

García received a Doctor of Education as well as a Master of Arts in higher education administration from Teachers College, Columbia University; an M.A. in business education/higher education from New York University; a B.S. in business education from Bernard Baruch College of City University of New York (CUNY); and an A.A.S. in legal secretarial sciences in business from New York City Community College of CUNY.