A Place to Become

For Dr. Sergio “Serge” Garcia ‘00, Texas State University, then Southwest Texas State University, was more than a place to earn a degree, it was where he became the person he was meant to be.

“Texas State gave me a place to become the man I was meant to be,” he shared. “I’ve  wanted to express my gratitude for that sentiment for over 25 years. I am grateful to be able to do it now.”

That sense of belonging began early. On his very first day at Bobcat Camp, a group of students he had just met invited him to the San Marcos River. What started as a simple afternoon, swimming, playing volleyball, and spending hours in the sun, became something much more meaningful.

“It made me feel like I had found a place where I finally belonged.”

Like many Bobcats, Serge’s journey was not without challenges. He worked his way through college, often balancing multiple jobs just to make it through each semester. Those experiences shaped not only his work ethic, but also his desire to ensure future students have a different path, one with fewer barriers and more support.
 

Today, Serge and his wife, Jessica, are turning that vision into action by establishing an endowment to support students from his hometown in Hidalgo County, Texas. The scholarship will support students with financial need and strong academic performance, creating opportunity for those who, like him, are working to build a better future. In addition, they are extending the impact of their generosity by including a gift in their will to further support the scholarship for generations to come.

Serge’s journey since his time at Texas State reflects the very growth he hopes to foster in others. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in business administration in 2000, he went on to serve overseas following 9/11 as a U.S. diplomat and counterterrorism specialist. Today, he is a professor and entrepreneur, roles rooted in leadership, curiosity, and impact.

“I needed time to mature and find myself. Texas State provided that for me,” he said. “I hope that my participation in the world reflects that corpus of development that the university provided for me.”

For Serge, being a Bobcat is a lifelong identity, one grounded in pride, growth, and community.

“It is a great sense of pride to be a Bobcat… I could not be more proud of our campus and its current growth.”

And for current students, his advice is simple:

“Participate. Join a club. Go do something. Go find your people.”

Through this endowment, Serge is ensuring that more students will not only find their place at Texas State, but also have the support they need to become who they are meant to be.