Dr. Ernest F. Garcia graduated from SBVC with an Associates degree and went on to earn three more degrees from area universities. He was a teacher and administrator with the Rialto Unified School District and Dean of the School of Education at California State University, San Bernardino. An elementary school in Rialto is named for Garcia.
Born and raised in Colton, Dr. Garcia earned an Associates degree from SBVC. His major was Spanish. In 1950, his college career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Japan. In 1955, he received a Bachelor's in Social Science from the University of California, Riverside, a Masters degree in School Administration and Curriculum from the University of Redlands, and his Ed.D. in Instructional Technology from UCLA. He taught at all levels and was an administrator with the Rialto Unified School District. Garcia also was an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Redlands as well as Professor of Education and Dean of the School of Education at California State University, San Bernardino. He was a Rialto Unified School District trustee from 1970-79 and a Rialto elementary school bears his name. Garcia was selected by UCR as one of 40 graduates who "Made a difference.'' His community contributions include serving as President of the National Orange Show board of directors in 1996. Dr. Garcia lives in San Bernardino with his wife, Dorothy. They have three sons and four grandchildren.