Board approves incoming president

The Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees named Dr. Robert Garza as the seventh president of Palo Alto College on Tuesday, July 24. Garza will assume duties in September, as current president Dr. Mike Flores prepares for his new role as incoming chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District.

Garza has served as president of Mountain View College, part of the Dallas County Community College District, since February 2015, and is credited with increasing student enrollment to over 10,000 credit students, implementing eight early college high school and industry partnership programs, and expanding the nursing program.

Garza worked at Palo Alto College from 1999 to 2015 in a variety of positions including Vice President of Student Success, Dean of Student Success, and Dean of Community Development and Partnerships. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration in Higher Education from the University of Texas at Austin; a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University in College Station.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Garza and his family back to the Alamo Colleges District," said Dr. Bruce Leslie, chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District. "Dr. Garza has been integral to the monumental changes that have taken place at Mountain View College over the last few years, and we look forward to the future growth his leadership will encourage throughout our district."

In March 2018, the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Flores as the new chancellor of the Alamo Colleges upon Leslie's retirement. Flores will be the first Hispanic chancellor of the district and will assume responsibilities on Oct. 1, 2018.

The Palo Alto College presidential search fielded more than 78 applicants for the position. A search committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, and partner stakeholders interviewed eight candidates based on their background experience and alignment to Palo Alto College's mission, vision, and values before selecting three finalists for community forums with faculty and staff.

"Bringing an individual like Dr. Garza, with more than 15 years of experience in south San Antonio, is an important factor in understanding the community we serve," said Flores. "Dr. Leslie and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead Palo Alto College in its next chapter, and I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Garza on the College's continued journey to excellence."