Dr. SantaPaula Garcia currently serves as the President at CollegeSpring, the sole national nonprofit dedicated to providing in-school preparation for standardized tests, aiming to empower first-generation students from low-income backgrounds with enhanced college and career opportunities. As a first-generation college graduate, Paula is passionately committed to ensuring a clear path to postsecondary opportunities for all students.

Formerly, Dr. Garcia held the position of Senior Vice President, Regional Field Executive at Teach For America, overseeing regions in Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, D.C., NYC, and California. Prior roles include Executive Director of Teach For America in the Rio Grande Valley and Director of Instruction for the Raymondville Independent School District.

With over 25 years of educational leadership experience, Dr. Garcia played a pivotal role in establishing early college structures in major school districts, such as Pharr San Juan Alamo ISD and Brownsville ISD, during her tenure at Educate Texas. She also served as the founding principal of IDEA Academy, Donna, within IDEA Public Schools.

Dr. Garcia began her career teaching reading to bilingual students in Mercedes Independent School District, Texas. She holds a B.A. and double Master's in Spanish Literature and Education from the University of Texas, along with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University. Residing in the Rio Grande Valley with her husband, Luis, Dr. Garcia is a proud mother of two sons, Lucas and Josiah.