CLA Students have Mentor Lunch with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia

November 19, 2014

 

mentorlunchmayorgarciaOn November 14,2014, Dr. Robert Garcia, Mayor of Long Beach, hosted eight students as part of the College of Liberal Arts Mentor Lunch Program. Students Heather Brooks, Jamison Gilmore, Asia Lias, Alejandro Martinez, Dylan Pastor, Stephanie Robles, Amber Vincent, and JaQuea Willis joined Associate Dean Amy Bippus in Mayor Garcia’s office in City Hall. Mayor Garcia gave the students a tour of his office, while identifying and describing the various districts in Long Beach and the roles of his staff and City Council members.

Over lunch, the students asked how he became interested in public office and how his educational path prepared him for his job as Mayor. Mayor Garcia also described his deep roots in Long Beach, starting with his undergraduate degree in Communication Studies and his subsequent Ed.D. from CSULB to his work at Long Beach City College and his election to the Long Beach City Council. Mayor Garcia discussed his pursuit of political office as a way to serve Long Beach, focusing particularly on issues of higher education. He gave the students insight into overcoming challenges in one’s background in order to succeed in college. He also stressed a strong belief that his Liberal Arts background provided him with the skills and perspectives that enable him to continue to serve the people of Long Beach.