News

Garcia Earns Scholarship, Professional Development Award

04/27/20

Dr. Fernando Garcia uses his knowledge of industry and international business, as well as his research to better prepare students for the workplace.

Garcia, an assistant professor of management in the Wright School of Business, is the Dalton State Foundation’s Excellence in Scholarship and Professional Development Award recipient for this year. Faculty members were nominated by their peers and are chosen by a committee made up of faculty members and students from each of the college’s schools.

“The energy and production of this year’s recipient are impressive, though hard to capture in a single presentation,” said Dr. Bruno Hicks, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, who presented the award via video due to remote learning and work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Garcia is a motivated scholar, as well as an engaged campus citizen, who effectively represents Dalton State’s faculty on campus and in the community,” Hicks said. “He not only contributes knowledge in his discipline but also shares that knowledge with his peers at national and international conferences and with his business students, colleagues and the Dalton community through workshops and grant writing.”

Recently Garcia led work on a grant to conduct a “Latino Community Needs Assessment” as part of a research project in the Wright School of Business. The grant was placed on hold due to the COVID-19, but Garcia plans to begin the work again as soon as he’s able.

Garcia was also part of the first cohort of Dalton State’s Advanced Leadership Institute, a year-long academic program facilitated by Capstone Performance Solutions that includes learning sessions, job shadowing, mentoring sessions and more.

“In summing up our recipient’s contributions in scholarship and development, Associate Dean Mike D’Itri noted Garcia maintains a very active and productive research agenda, has developed an excellent professional development profile, has been identified as an emergent leader and has compiled an impressive record of scholarship and professional development that supports the students and the college,” Hicks said. “Dr. Marilyn Helms, dean of the Wright School of Business described Garcia this way: ‘He brings a wealth of industry and international experience and research into the classroom in all courses he teaches. His role as the head of the International Education Office for the Dalton State campus also adds to his knowledge, expertise and research.”