Fellowship Profile: Carlos Garcia
Name: Carlos Garcia
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Fellowship Year: 2013
Fellowship Role: Resource Development & Marketing Manager for Eagle Academy Public Charter School, Washington, DC
Pre-Fellowship: Literacy Intervention Tutor with Reading Partners
Education: BA, International Relations; Minor: Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Southern California, 2012
Areas of Expertise:
- Development/Fundraising
- Project Management
- Strategy
- Technology
“Working in the impact sector has always been my focus. My innate desire to help others in need, my problem-solving skills, and my big-picture focus drive me towards organizational development & strategy work in the education sector.”
My Background
Growing up in a blended family fostered a sense of responsibility and independence. Despite the challenges of divorce, my parents provided a top-notch education, the privileges of which were never lost on me. Service to others has been a lifelong passion, and my volunteer work with education-focused organizations reflects my interest in youth development and mentorship. After working as a Literacy Intervention Tutor with Reading Partners in Los Angeles, I viewed the ProInspire Fellowship as a launch pad to take my nonprofit career to the next level and to deepen the impact I could make in the education sector. ProInspire’s mix of full-time placement, critical reflection and introspection time, and diverse monthly trainings appealed to my desire to learn, grow, and succeed.
My Fellowship
My role as a Resource Development & Marketing Manager for Eagle Academy Public Charter School was rewarding and impactful. I managed an overhaul of the school’s website and revived the school’s social media platforms. I developed several successful funding proposals to win critical investments. I gained exposure to senior leaders within Eagle Academy PCS throughout the fellowship year, working alongside the Deputy COO (my direct supervisor), CFO/COO, and the Executive Director on important correspondence to advance the organization’s mission with government and other stakeholders.
My Impact
My efforts to date have resulted in a 400% increase in engagement across digital media platforms. I have also helped Eagle Academy PCS secure over $3.5 million in new grant funding from both government and private sources.
My Next
Eagle Academy PCS offered me a permanent role in the organization after my fellowship ended. While my title remains the same, I helped author an evolved job description that elevates my role to a more strategic level within the organization. A primary focus is now grant writing and management; to date, I have secured an additional $2.7 million in funding for critical initiatives to support student achievement.
“Though I don’t always see it, everything I work on eventually has a tangible impact on our students, families, and front-line staff. That is an incredibly rewarding aspect of my role at Eagle Academy PCS.”