PRESS RELEASE
April 27, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sharon Kayne, Communications Director, NM Voices for Children, 505-244-9505
ALBUQUERQUE—Veronica C. Garcia, Ed.D., has been hired to serve as Executive Director of New Mexico Voices for Children. Dr. Garcia is best known for her tenure as the state’s first Cabinet Secretary of Education. Along with advocating for the passage of the New Mexico’s Pre-K Act, she pushed for funding for programs like school-based health clinics, breakfast in the schools, elementary physical education, and extended school year programs like Kindergarten Plus; under her tenure she worked to build an infrastructure for a strong system of accountability, pushed for rigorous academic standards which were recognized nationally, as well as advocated for the passage of the Hispanic Education Act.
Her work as Secretary garnered the National Governor’s Association Award for Excellence in State Government. Her decades of work within the state’s K-12 education system ranged from teaching in the classroom to principal, regional superintendent in the Albuquerque Public Schools, to serving as associate superintendent and superintendent of the Santa Fe Public Schools. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including: New Mexico Superintendent of the Year and the Life Time Achievement Award in Education from Hispanic Magazine.
“Our Board of Directors is excited to welcome Dr. Garcia as our new Executive Director,” said Joseph Maestas, Board Chair. “Veronica was chosen from among a stellar group of candidates. Her vast experience and dynamic leadership will help New Mexico Voices to continue operating as the preeminent child advocacy organization in New Mexico.”
“I’m very excited to be joining New Mexico Voices,” said Dr. Garcia. “Advocating on behalf of under-served and under-represented children has been a life-long passion and has driven my work throughout my career. I believe in NM Voices’ mission of working to eradicate poverty and to support policies that ensure that children and their families have an improved quality of life be it through access to a quality education, affordable health care, or civic engagement. If we accomplish these things we help improve the quality of life and economic condition for all New Mexicans. I also understand, from my own life experience, what kinds of support systems are needed to help children become contributing citizens. I’ve always believed that education is a social justice issue,” she added.
Dr. Garcia, who is currently President and CEO of Comprehensive Consulting Services, LLC, is slated to begin at NM Voices in June.
Using an evidence-based approach, New Mexico Voices for Children works with local, state, and national officials to shape and implement public policies that are supportive of children and working families. The group’s areas of focus are early childhood care and education, health care for all, and family economic security.
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New Mexico Voices for Children is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocating for policies to improve the health and well-being of New Mexico’s children, families and communities.
2340 Alamo SE, Suite 120, Albuquerque, NM 87106-3523; 505-244-9505 (p); www.nmvoices.org