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VIOLA GARCIA STEERS TEXAS EDUCATION TOWARD EXCELLENCE

(Houston, Texas, March 5, 2007)   Professors at UH-Downtown demonstrate expertise in their fields through cutting-edge teaching and publications; some, like Dr. Viola Garcia, associate professor in Urban Education, lead the way by applying their energies and accomplishments to the community.  

Garcia, it seems, never sleeps.   In addition to her busy university schedule, she serves her local community as Secretary of the Aldine Independent School District Board of Education.   That good organization has just passed a $365 million bond issue to build more schools and make renovations in the Aldine ISD.  

Garcia's work with Aldine is just the beginning of her community service.   She holds the position of past president on the Executive Board of the Mexican American School Board Members Association, and is still active in planning for the organization.   A recent initiative of the board is to make mariachi part of the University Interscholastic League competition (UIL) so that it is sanctioned.   (Recently, a young woman who had placed at a high level of mariachi competition was counted absent for her competition days by her school district because mariachi is not sanctioned by UIL rules.)   The board is also promoting a Texas history project that would include Mexican American history in the history textbooks.

That's not all, folks!   Garcia serves on the Resolutions Committee of the Texas Association of School Boards.   The organization has just completed their strategic planning to direct efforts over the next 10 years.   Garcia's committee has met with the Legislative Committee to draw up the Advocacy Agenda.   It is based upon a needs assessment of member school districts and promotes adequate funding for schools, for teacher pay, for facilities and for technology.

Garcia is a perfect example of why UH-Downtown is justifiably proud of its faculty.   Our professors bring education to the student body, improve scholarship in their fields, and help improve our communities and governing bodies through service and contribution.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
UH-Downtown is a public university of nearly 12,000 students, offering a wide variety of bachelor’s degrees, as well as master’s programs in criminal justice, professional writing, security management and teaching. One of four distinct universities in the UH System, Houston’s Downtown University is nationally recognized for its student diversity, wireless campus, outstanding academic opportunities and productive community partnerships. At UHD, the emphasis is on excellence in teaching and student success.

Please use UH-Downtown, UHD or University of Houston-Downtown when referring to our university.