Jessica Garcia is deeply rooted in her hometown, cherishing both the community and the local university.
“While growing up in Greenwood, I never had a desire to leave home,” Garcia shared. “I never got that itch to move to a bigger city or experience college in a different area. Instead, I wanted to stay and pour myself into making Greenwood a better place.”
A 2012 graduate of Lander University with a degree in psychology, Garcia credits her Lander education for equipping her with the skills essential for success in the workforce.
“Those desires to serve in Greenwood are what pushed me to stay at Lander and focus my studies on psychology,” Garcia explained. “I knew that Greenwood had an amazing non-profit sector and I wanted to be a part of the hands-on, boots-on-the-ground work that they were doing in our community.”
Garcia said, “I received a job offer at Greenwood First Steps a couple of months before graduation. Lander had equipped me with the knowledge, experience, and courage that I needed to start my career and immediately give back and pour into the hometown that I so desperately wanted to add value to.”
Garcia's professional journey includes earlier roles at Meg’s House, Greenwood Treatment Specialists, and Aging with Flair, LLC. She also plays a key role as the chair for Connect Young Professionals, a networking and educational group affiliated with the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.
In her current position as Development Officer for the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation, Garcia keeps a busy schedule. Her responsibilities with the Foundation include providing support to Foundation volunteers, Business & Industry, Planned Gifts, and Special Gifts committees, as well as leading fundraising initiatives for the Foundation.
Her community engagement extends to her past membership on the Chamber Board of Directors and her ongoing service on the Board of Regents for the Chamber’s Leadership Greenwood program.
Additionally, Garcia is actively involved in the Greenwood Rotary Club, where she serves on the Board of Trustees, chaired the club’s service projects committee, and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2023.
Garcia co-chaired the successful 2023 South Carolina Festival of Flowers and will be chair for this year’s event.
“Through serving in Rotary, Connect Young Professionals, Leadership Greenwood, and the Festival of Flowers, I am able to stay closely connected to my main desire of making Greenwood an amazing place to grow up, live life, and connect to others,” Garcia exclaimed.
Beyond her professional and community roles, Garcia is a devoted wife and mother of two. She is also an active member of New Spring Church, where she met her husband, Jose Garcia.