“I chose FGCU because I just loved the campus,” she says. “I really liked that it was naturally beautiful and that it’s also a really small campus, so you can actually get a more personalized education, get to know people, really get to know your professors and get a quality education. You're going to be able to work towards your passion. FGCU works to get you where you want to be in your life.”

Being part of the Honors Living Learning Community helped bring her out of her shell and build lasting friendships, Garcia says. She eventually served on the Lutgert College of Business Undergraduate Student Advisory Board and as a university tour guide.

“FGCU has affected me in multiple ways. Every single experience I've had, be it academic or social, has really helped me grow as a person. It has given me confidence and made me prepared to go out into my career.”

In the classroom, Garcia worked on projects such as commercial and nonprofit advertising campaigns that gave her insight into the work she would be doing in the real world after graduation. Outside the classroom, she volunteered to help promote FGCU St. Baldrick's Day, an annual event at which students, faculty and staff raise money for childhood cancer research by having their heads shaved.