Viola M. Garcia, Ed.D.

President, National School Boards Association (NSBA)

Dr. Viola M. Garcia is an emeritus professor in the Department of Urban Education at the University of Houston-Downtown, where she served as chair of the department and as assistant chair for undergraduate programs. Viola has over 30 years of experience as a professional educator in public schools as a teacher and principal and in later years in higher education. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration and Supervision and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. Her undergraduate degree is from Texas Woman’s University. Viola has served as a school board trustee in the Aldine Independent School District since 1992. An unwavering advocate for public education, Viola has also served as president of the Texas Association of School Boards and the Mexican American School Board Members Association. She has been on the NSBA Board of Directors since 2014 and served as Secretary-Treasurer and President-elect.