Staff and Ambassadors

Our Director

Lissette Garcia

As a proud first-generation college graduate, Lissette brings a deeply personal understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by first-generation students. She recognizes the determination required to navigate higher education without a clear roadmap. For more than 28 years, she has worked closely with first-generation scholars through the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program, gaining a comprehensive understanding of both the challenges they encounter and the strengths they bring to their academic journeys. Lissette is deeply committed to empowering, advocating for, and supporting all first-generation scholars at Fairleigh Dickinson University as they pursue their goals and achieve lasting success.

Lissette currently serves as the Executive Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Programs on both of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s New Jersey campuses. In addition, she has been an adjunct faculty member at the University since 2007. Prior to joining FDU, she worked as a certified social worker at a prenatal and family planning health center in Jersey City, New Jersey.

All first-generation FDU students are welcome to participate in all programs and activities of the Center, regardless of the student’s sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual preference or gender expression, or any other protected status under law.