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University Hires New Dean of Admissions
Southern Virginia University President Rodney K. Smith today announced the hiring of Brett W. Garcia as the new dean of admissions at Southern Virginia. Garcia will report directly to President Smith and will participate on the President’s Council.
Garcia replaces Jody Mask, who served as dean of admissions for nearly 18 months before accepting a partnership in a Texas law firm this month.
“Brett brings with him a wealth of professional sales, training and marketing experience,” President Smith said. “He has an appreciation for the value of a liberal arts education and I am confident in his ability to help us further refine and enhance our recruiting and enrollment efforts. In doing so, he will help us attract the right students who will most be blessed by the unique education available at Southern Virginia University.”
The new dean comes to Southern Virginia from Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals, where he was a territory manager in Oregon and Idaho. Prior to holding that position Garcia spent five years at Pfizer, Inc., making sales presentations about sophisticated pharmaceutical research to physicians in Oregon. While at Pfizer, he received numerous awards for high achievements, including the prestigious vice president’s cabinet award. He also co-owned a company that provided industrial training seminars and helped organizations develop sales and marketing plans.
Garcia has a bachelor’s degree in Italian from Brigham Young University, where he also minored in business management. He served a fulltime mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Milan, Italy.
Garcia will assume his new responsibilities on or before Oct. 1. In the meantime, Vice President Walter E. Ralls, Jr., will continue to lead the admissions team as it begins to recruit freshmen and transfer students for the 2010–2011 academic year.