Former Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Mexico Dr. Jose Garcia will teach a political science course at Western New Mexico University beginning in January.
Recently retired from teaching at New Mexico State University, Garcia jumped at the opportunity to teach an entry-level course at WNMU for the upcoming spring semester.
“My mother attended Western New Mexico University,” said Garcia. “I always thought it would be nice to teach here.”
Garcia, who served as a Cabinet Secretary in the Susana Martinez administration from 2011-2014, describes the course as an overview of the world of politics, covering politics in the Western tradition as well as the differences international systems of government.
“I am going to talk about what politics is with dialogue that begins with Aristotle and an emphasis on the key concepts of democracy,” explained Garcia. “We will also cover the upcoming national election.”
Garcia’s life work includes co-authoring papers on migration reform. He focuses on US-Mexico border policy issues and Latin American politics. Garcia has been active in politics in New Mexico for the past three decades. His previous academic experience includes teaching at the US Army School of the Americas at Ft. Benning.
WNMU offers several political science courses. Students can earn a minor in political science and choose the discipline as a concentration in the Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies program.
Introduction to Political Science will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Allison Evans at 575-538-6229 or Allison.Evans@wnmu.edu.