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Robert Garcia

Mayor, City of ������Ƶ
2010, Doctorate, Educational Leadership, CSULB
2005, Master of Arts, Communication Management, University of Southern California
2002, Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies, CSULB

������Ƶ Mayor Robert Garcia became the city’s first Latino (and youngest) mayor when he was elected in 2014—but this was only the latest in a long string of “firsts” for the trailblazing educator and public servant. 

Garcia, who was 5 years old when he immigrated to the United States from Peru, became the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college; later, he was part of the first cohort of students to graduate from CSULB’s doctoral program in educational leadership.  Garcia went on to co-found the North Pine Neighborhood Alliance, which advocates on behalf of downtown residents and businesses, and to launch the ������Ƶ Post, a daily digital-first publication that has grown from a small business into an essential source for community information with more than 40,000 subscribers. 

After serving as a councilmember for the First District, he was unanimously elected vice mayor by the City Council.  Garcia has taught courses in communications at ������Ƶand at the University of Southern California. 

Named one of the city’s “most innovative minds” by ������Ƶ Magazine, Garcia appeared on The Advocate’s list of “40 Under 40” (2010) and on Instinctmagazine.com’s list of “Leading Men” (2009).  He is also a recipient of the Equality California Vanguard Award. 

Garcia enjoys movies, television, books, and spending time with his partner Dr. Matt Mendez and their cat Tommy.