Seminole State employee joins the Florida College System's Hall of Fame
Friday, October 5, 2018
Written by: Susan Leavens
Membership to the 2018 Florida College System (FCS) Hall of Fame class will grow this year, thanks to one special individual from Seminole State College of Florida. Mauricio Garcia, assistant director of Student Life, affectionately known as “Mo” to his students, will be inducted into the FCS Activities Association Hall of Fame for the Student Government Division.
For the past 25 years, Garcia has had his hand in Student Leadership Development. He joined Seminole State in 1999 as a student activities specialist and in 2010 was promoted to assistant director, supervising the student activities coordinators on all four Seminole State campuses.
Garcia’s colleagues and students couldn’t think of a more deserving individual. “Over the past 16 years at Seminole State, Mauricio has shown a relentless commitment to developing and engaging students in their personal and professional development,” says Dr. Jan Lloyd-Lesley, associate vice president of student development. “Through his work in the FCSSGA and at Seminole State, he has impacted so many students through leadership development programs and by advising and guiding his student leaders. He is very deserving of this recognition and joining other professionals who have made a significant difference in students’ lives.”
“He is a great mentor, a great friend, and a big part of the Seminole State family. It’s an exhilarating experience to learn from him,” says Shayan Khan, the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Student Government Association president. “He has taught us to be engaged in our community, how to apply leadership skills, and most importantly, to be resilient in life.”
Garcia, who plays table tennis and watches movies based on real-life events when he’s not working hard for his students, says he is completely humbled by this honor. “It feels great for I feel as if I found my passion in life and therefore was able to live my purpose.”
The Florida College System will present Garcia with his award next April at the Student Government Association Year End Awards program.
The Office of Student Life at Seminole State, which has offices on all four campuses, oversees more than 50 student clubs and organizations, provides free student activities and entertainment, and hosts leadership retreats for students. For more information, please visit the Student Life website.