The Austin Community College District honors the memory of Gustavo "Gus" Garcia, one of the seven founding members of the ACC Board of Trustees.

“Mayor Garcia was a devoted friend to the college and a mentor to generations of students, alumni, and faculty,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “He dedicated his life to serving the Austin community and spent decades working to build equity. He will be greatly missed.”

Garcia passed away at the age of 84 on December 17, 2018.

Garcia became the first Hispanic elected to the Austin Independent School Board and helped galvanize voter support for the establishment of Austin Community College in a December 1972 referendum. He joined the Austin City Council in the 1990s and became the city’s first Hispanic mayor in 2001.

“We mourn the loss of a friend, colleague, and leader. I am honored to have worked with Gus Garcia as we established Austin Community College,” says Dr. Barbara Mink, a founding ACC administrator and current chair of the ACC Board of Trustees. “We honor his legacy through continued efforts to build equity for all students.”

During retirement, Garcia continued his work with students through local community centers. In fall 2016, he shared his experience and wisdom with ACC graduates, serving as commencement speaker with his wife, Marina.

The college extends its gratitude and deepest sympathies to the Garcia family.