She is the director of the master’s public health nursing concentration and coordinates study abroad programs for the School of Nursing. She has taught courses for undergraduate and graduate students in research, public health, and global health. Her research focuses on the symptom experience of Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes and the exploration of social, cultural, and economic influences on health promotion practices, diabetes self-management, and quality of life. Dr. Garcia received her Diploma in Registered Nursing from The Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing; her Bachelor’s of Science from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and her Master’s of Science from The University of Maryland at Baltimore. She earned her PhD in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing.