Dean for Student Success Candidates
Open Forums to be held on Wednesday, April 29
Northeast Lakeview College has selected two finalists for the position of Dean for Student Success. Each finalist will participate in various department meetings, an open forum and receive a college tour on Wednesday, April 29. Forums will be held at 9am and 10am in the Lampasas Performing Arts Center, Auditorium.
The two finalists and more information are listed below:
Cristela Garcia
Cristela Garcia is a dedicated leader with over 10 years of experience in education and nonprofit settings. She currently serves as Director of the Student Advocacy Center at Northeast Lakeview College, where she leads 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 youth at 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 Texas at 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.
Dr. Randall Garza
Dr. Randall Garza is a higher education leader with over 20 years of experience advancing student success, retention, and completion across community college and university settings. As Director of Advising at Northwest Vista College, he leads strategic initiatives that strengthen advising systems, improve graduation outcomes, and remove barriers to student achievement.
Throughout his career, Dr. Garza has built and led high-performing teams, developed data-informed strategies, and implemented innovative programs that support diverse student populations. His work has contributed to record-setting graduation benchmarks, expanded access to critical student resources, and the creation of impactful initiatives such as emergency aid programs and targeted retention efforts.
In addition to his institutional leadership, Dr. Garza is a leadership consultant and trainer, partnering with colleges, school districts, and organizations to deliver professional development in servant leadership, team building, and organizational culture. He is known for his collaborative approach, commitment to equity, and ability to translate vision into measurable results.
Dr. Garza holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and is an award-winning educator and administrator, recognized for his contributions to student success and leadership development. His work is grounded in a people-first philosophy, focused on empowering students, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to opportunity.