Dean for Student Success

Cristela Garcia

Cristela Garcia is a dedicated leader with over 10 years of experience in education and nonprofit settings. She served as Director of the Student Advocacy Center at Northeast Lakeview College, where she lead integrated support services focused on basic needs, mental health, and accessibility to promote student success. She is deeply committed to advancing transformational education, building systems that remove barriers, and ensuring students have the support and resources needed to persist and succeed.

Prior to her role at NLC, Cristela contributed to the implementation of high-impact initiatives, including a college preparation program for underserved youthat Mar Vista Family Center in Los Angeles. She later worked at the Center for Health Care Services in San Antonio where she supported the development of an Integrated Treatment Program for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. There, she also assisted in the implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model, expanding access to comprehensive behavioral health services across Bexar County.

Cristela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Texasat San Antonio. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Capella University.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading about fashion, shopping for shoes, and hiking.