Olivia Garcia, PhD is currently an American Political Science Association (APSA) 2021-2022 Congressional Fellow and received the honor of a William A. Steiger Fund for Legislative Studies. Prior to receiving the prestigious APSA fellowship, Dr. Garcia served as the public policy and training manager with Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network. She brings with her a background in advocacy, training and research related to gender-based violence that spans 10 years. Dr. Garcia completed her doctorate in Political Science from UCLA with an emphasis on Race and Ethnicity Politics, Gender Studies and Political Theory. Her research focuses on the Violence Against Women Act and the ways in which the theory of intersectionality is absent from policy, although it is a necessary consideration when on-the-ground advocates are helping survivors of intimate partner violence. Before joining Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network, Dr. Garcia worked as the Underserved Populations Director for the National Center for Victims of Crime.

Dr. Garcia is an affiliate faculty member for the University of Texas at El Paso’s Criminal Justice and Chicano Studies Departments since 2016. She has taught American Government and Texas Government at the El Paso Community College District since 2005.