Office of the President

President's Biography

Dr. Veronica Garcia began her tenure as Northeast Lakeview College's (NLC) president on March 1, 2017. Under her visionary leadership, NLC achieved accreditation, the ability to award federal financial aid and Veteran benefits, and the prestigious Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. Dr. Garcia's leadership also contributed to the Alamo Colleges District's receipt of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction Certification.

NLC has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Admired Colleges and Universities to Watch, Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges, and 50 Best Community Colleges in the U.S. With 28 years of experience, Dr. Garcia has consistently demonstrated her dedication to education and community service. Her extensive classroom and curriculum development background has established a strong foundation for advocating for students' needs.

Dr. Garcia spearheaded the Culture of Care initiatives at NLC, which are grounded in hearing all stakeholder voices. These initiatives have significantly contributed to NLC's designation of "Great Places to Work." Her efforts have resulted in efficiently streamlining student intake services and aligning academic and student affairs to provide enhanced student support. Her valuable experiences establishing two Veteran Centers have paved the way for a significant achievement, securing a $7.7 million in appropriations from the State of Texas  for constructing a standalone Veterans Center at NLC, and the college receiving the Gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award multiple times.

In her remarkable journey, she actively contributes to regional economic development as a dedicated member of the Northeast Partnership and a prominent figure on the Schertz-Cibolo-Selma area Chamber of Commerce board. She continues to cultivate valuable relationships with Independent School Districts in the area. Dr. Garcia collaborates with nine municipalities and recently launched an off-site location within the city of New Braunfels to better support the other regions of the Northeast Corridor. Her accomplishments include a San Antonio Woman Magazine feature and the prestigious title of Honorary Commander at JBSA Civic Leadership Partner. She earned multiple Trusted Leader Awards from her colleagues, underscoring her unwavering commitment to leadership and trustworthiness. 

During her tenure as an educational leader, Dr.Garcia earned her the Woman of Distinction recognition from Rock Creek, and in 2012, she was honored with the PSU/PCC Service to Veterans Recognition for her steadfast support of veteran-friendly programs. She received the Paradise Valley Outstanding Leadership Award for her exceptional work with Puma Pathways in 2017. In 2019, she also served as an Honorary Commander at the 12th Training Squadron, Randolph Airforce Base, demonstrating her unwavering support for the veteran's education. Notably, the City Council appointed her as a regular City of Garden Ridge Board of Adjustment member, showcasing her dedication to public service. She furthered her dedication to leadership development by serving as an instructor for cohort 7 in the Portland Community College Leadership Excellence and Development Academy.

Dr. Garcia, a highly qualified professional, holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Oregon State University, an M.Ed. in Leadership from Northern Arizona University, a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, and an associate degree from Pima Community College. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of care, driving student success, and building strong community partnerships continues to make a lasting impact on NLC and the broader community.