UTB-TSC's Garcia named among top ten college presidents in U.S.

Juliet V. Garcia, the president of UTB-TSC, has been named one of TIME Magazine’s Ten Best College Presidents of 2009.

Garcia, who was the first female Hispanic president of a college or university in the U.S., is ninth on the list. Others on the list include Scott Cowen, of Tulane University, Mary Sue Coleman, of the University of Michigan, John Sexton, of New York University, and Gordon Gee, the president of Ohio State University, who was named the best college president in the nation.

At 60 years old, Garcia is hailed in the article for her role in the partnership between the University of Texas System and Texas Southmost College, which has produced what she calls a true "community university."

"We’re trying to send a very clear signal that the Latino human capital in this country simply needs access to the same opportunities that have been present for other people," Garcia told TIME.

The magazine frequently publishes lists in various categories.

TIME Editor-at-Large David Von Drehle explained that the college president list was especially relevant during a trying economic period.

"Higher education has a major responsibility to help the country out of the economic crisis and lead the way in solving society’s problems," Von Drehle said. "So we looked for presidents who are deeply engaged with their communities and today’s challenges, whether it is creating opportunity or rebuilding post-Katrina New Orleans or going green at Middlebury. These presidents are the opposite of the ivory tower stereotype; they are arguably the most important unelected leaders in their communities."

Mary Rose Cardenas, who served on the Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees for more than 20 years, said the honor was well deserved.

"I have tears; I want to scream I am so pleased," Cardenas said. "She has done such a wonderful job and receiving this honor is an important thing for our area."

Cardenas was the chair of the selection committee that chose Garcia.

"She has a great ability, even as a young woman, to handle a number of situations without hesitating," Cardenas said. "We should be very proud of her."

1.Gordon Gee, Ohio State University, Columbus
2. John Sexton, New York University, New York City
3. Mary Sue Coleman, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
4. Michael Crow, Arizona State University — Tempe
5. Scott Cowen, Tulane University, New Orleans
6. Ronald Liebowitz, Middlebury College — Middlebury, Vt.
7. Freeman Hrabowski, University of Maryland — Baltimore County
8. Eduardo Padrón, Miami Dade College — Miami, Fla.
9. Juliet V. García, University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, Texas
10. Mark Yudof, University of California — Oakland