Patricia Garcia

Dr. Patricia Garcia is an Assistant Professor of Education at Lasell University's School of Humanities, Education, Justice & Social Sciences. With over 30 years of experience in education, she has held diverse roles including superintendent of schools in Virginia, New York, and Connecticut, college professor, and ESL program director.

• Ph.D. in Spanish/Bilingual Education, Florida State University
• Ed.D. in Education Leadership, University of Sarasota
• M.A. in Foreign Language Education, University of South Florida
• B.A. in Language Arts Education, University of Panama

Her research focuses on equity and social justice in education, bilingualism, second language acquisition, and teacher leadership. She has led initiatives such as Algebra implementation in middle schools, dual-language programs, and college pathways for marginalized students.

Dr. Garcia's recent collaborative study examined state-level support for English Language Learners with disabilities across U.S. territories, aligning with her commitment to equitable educational practices.

• Connecticut State Education Resource Center’s George Coleman Excellence in Equity Award
• NAACP 100 Most Influential Black Leaders in Connecticut
• NAACP Above and Beyond Award for Exemplary Commitment to Education
• Connecticut Parent Power’s Exemplary Education Leader
• Long Island, NY Raices Latinoamericanas Pioneer in Education Award

She has served as a lecturer in the University of Connecticut Executive Leadership Superintendent Preparation Program and New England College's Doctorate in Education Leadership Program, while currently teaching at Lasell University.