Cristóbal (Chris) Garcia

Cristóbal Garcia serves as the associate director of the First-Generation Initiatives Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver. His areas of expertise encompass Equity-focused faculty and staff training, student engagement, inclusive practices at work, alumni relations, Hispanic-Serving Institution initiatives, higher education, Hispanic/Latine culture, career and leadership development. Garcia’s work is focused on initiatives to support first-generation college students.  

With over 15 years of experience in leadership, community engagement, and program development, Garcia has served as a bilingual influencer and small business consultant. He has also earned accolades such as the Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and BizWest Magazine’s Notable Minority Leaders.  

Garcia is also a member of the Colorado Hispanic-Serving Institution Consortium and has authored numerous online articles, focusing on topics like first-generation student experiences and leadership skills. His published work includes “5 Practices to Better Serve Latino College Students,” on the Latino Leadership Institute website, and “Re’Defining‘ First-Generation Student Success,” on his LinkedIn blog. 

 Prior to joining MSU Denver, Garcia served as the Staff Fellow for Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives at the University of Northern Colorado.  

Garcia earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and his Master of Business in Management Practices and a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University.