She set out to prepare for a nursing exam, but once Ira Garcia arrived at San Diego City College she found a home instead.

Garcia has been at City College since 2007, working her way up from a part-time job to serve in various campus positions before she recently began to work in the Office of the President as an administrative assistant.

She serves two roles in the office – as an aide to the president, Ricky Shabazz, Ed.D. and supporting the Academic Senate. Her previous stints included working for the vice president of instruction and in outreach.

She’s also recently joined the campus Professional Development Committee, a seat that helps keep her aware of upcoming events, many that ultimately will involve her office. Being a member helps her know what needs to be done on the President’s side and also on the committee side.”

She does it all from a space in the A building with a great perk – an expansive view that stretches from downtown to the Coronado bridge and the ocean beyond.

Garcia holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an institution in the Philippines, where she spent the majority of her childhood, though she was born in Los Angeles.

Upon her return to the U.S., she settled in San Diego with extended family, accepting her first City College position with the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies program, which turned into a full-time job about two years after her arrival.

Since then, she has lived in Mission Valley, married husband Jay, a member of the Navy, and had her first child, Kyler, 2.

She also has become a dedicated volunteer, whether for her church, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in North Park, or for various military charities, such as the USO. The organizations have been there for her family and she wants to be there for other families they help in return. She had to step back for a while after becoming a mother, but now she’s “getting in the groove of volunteering again,” in part for Kyler.

“It’s just to give back for the benefits we get from all these organizations that support military families,” she said. “That way we really show Kyler what it is to give back.”

Garcia, who has enjoyed extended road trips throughout the Northeast and Atlantic Coast with her husband, also is hoping to take shorter jaunts as their daughter becomes old enough to enjoy them.

Meanwhile, her interest in education has not waned – she has obtained a Project Management Certification while seeking a Project Management Professional License. She is also working to complete her associate degree in child development and has an eye toward earning a master’s in education leadership.

“I’m learning something new everyday, as part of the campus, part of the President’s Office, just as a student as well,” Garcia said.

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Established in 1914, San Diego City College serves as the educational cornerstone of downtown San Diego. A 60-acre urban campus, City College serves more than 16,000 students, offering 200 majors and degrees and 1,800 classes. City College is part of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), the second-largest of California’s 72 community college districts, which also includes Mesa College, Miramar College, and Continuing Education. For more information, visit www.sdcity.edu.

Contact: Cesar Gumapas, Information Officer at 619-388-3911 or cgumapas@sdccd.edu