Term Expires: 12/31/2023

“As a former instructor at the Community College of Denver, I saw first-hand how important, and transformational, community colleges are in closing equity gaps in education and workforce attainment for first-generation, low-income, and students of color. CCCS Colleges are set up and ready to meet the needs of today’s multifaceted students, and I am proud to join this board and contribute to their mission of providing access to high quality, affordable education and training.”

Biography

Throughout his career, Richard Garcia has been a champion and advocate for supporting the advancement and increasing resources for Latino families and students.

Richard is the Founder and Executive Director of Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC), a non-profit organization created in 1980 to empower parents to become their children’s advocates and have a voice in their educational process.

Prior to CSPC, he was the Principal of a charter middle school in Boulder Valley School District, recognized for its experience-based pedagogy and engaging student work beyond the classroom and into the community, including projects in Mexico.

Richard has served in several Governor-appointed roles. Most recently, under the Hickenlooper administration, he served on the Early Childhood Leader Commission and Education Leadership Council. During the Ritter administration, he served on the P-20 Education Coordinating Council that was charged with making recommendations for comprehensive education reform from preschool through college. Under Owen, Richard served as a Commissioner on the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), and under Romer he served on the Responsible Fatherhood Taskforce.

Richard received his Master’s in Education and Bachelor’s of Arts both from the University of Colorado. He currently serves as a board member on the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education.