An Interview With The Director Eduardo Xavier Garcia

What is your position in the ASPV?

Communications and Marketing Director

What is your College Degree?

Bachelor in Fine Art with a concentration in New Media Art from The University of Texas at Austin. Teaching certification from Texas A&M International University at Laredo, Texas

What is your experience in media communications in the U.S.?

I originally started in communications after teaching art for two years. I started to work as Publications Design Coordinator at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas. The position allowed me to do quite a bit of design and media production in an academic setting.

Did you enjoy what you were doing?

Personally and professionally I enjoyed what I was doing which lead me to enroll in some communication courses and pursued it as a career. Following my position at TAMIU some of the positions I’ve held are Communications Specialist for the United Independent School District, Publications and New Media Coordinator for Pflugerville Independent School District and Assistant Director of Communications for the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

Talk to me about your responsibilities at The University of Texas?

Responsibilities included communications and marketing efforts in the form of print, video production, photography and web. I planned and executed marketing strategies. I also served on communications, brand and design committees for the development of visual style guides and communications strategies. I supported directors and communicators to plan and successfully execute communications strategies that reinforced strategic plans and core values.

As a new Communications and Marketing Director of the ASPV how are you going to release events of the American School Puerto Vallarta?

I plan to initiate and maintain a close relationship with media agencies in and around Puerto Vallarta. We intend to assemble an email list of media outlets contacts who will receive our press releases when events need to be communicated to the public. Any media agency needing further information can contact me and I will provide them with the needed information.

How frequently do you have an open house in the school?

The American School of Puerto Vallarta (ASPV) carries out campus tours by appointment with Admissions Director, Lisa Langley. When a family is interested in enrolling their children at ASPV Mrs. Langley will make an appointment with them. The family is invited to the campus and is given a thorough tour of the different installations that make up our campus. At this point families can ask any questions or clarification.

Do you have a website or magazine where parents can check the activities or events of the ASPV?

Our goal at ASPV is to engage our families and community by having an active dialogue using our social media channels (facebook & twitter) and our website (www.aspv.edu.mx). We are in the process of redeveloping our school website which will be much more dynamic and interactive so visitors to the site can obtain real time information. It will feature an events calendar, social media feeds and a blog page featuring daily news and activities. On the academic side of parent-school communications ASPV uses Power School, a standard in U.S. and international schools around the world. This software allows parents, students and teachers to see a live view of the student’s academic progress.

As the new Communications and Marketing Director what strategies are you going to use to increase student enrollment in the school?

As the new communications and marketing director my intentions are to promote and highlight the facts that make ASPV the flagship international school in Puerto Vallarta. I intend to identify and inform the community about the benefits a student gains by receiving a full ASPV education (preschool - high school). Communicate that as a non-profit school our primary goal is to provide our students with the best possible education and not making money. Highlight the qualifications of our American, Canadian and Mexican faculty as well as the fact that ASPV is a school sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools. I believe that by engaging and communicating the facts and advantages of an ASPV education to our prospective parents we will see an increase in enrollment.

Does the American School Puerto Vallarta participate in charity programs to help children with a low income?

There are numerous ways ASPV reaches out to lower socio-economic facets of our community and surrounding areas. Every school year all grade levels at ASPV engage in a community service outreach project. They range from mentoring and tutoring students at a local public school or doing fundraising for rural schools in the surrounding communities.

ASPV is a recognized school here in Vallarta, have you ever had a celebrities visiting the students, please talk to me about it?

During the World Economic Forum held in Puerto Vallarta in the spring of 2012, HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway visited ASPV to discuss global dignity. I was not employed at the school then but his visit to ASPV is an example of the high calibre of school ASPV is recognized as in the community.

ASPV is certified by any association in the US. or the American Consulate?

The American School of Puerto Vallarta is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI, now known as AdvancEd), Mexico’s Ministry of Education (SEP), The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). ASPV also belongs to the Association of American Schools in Mexico (ASOMEX) and is one of only four schools in Mexico sponsored by the U.S. State Department Office of Overseas Schools.

Have you ever received an award for any association in the US.

The communications work I have done in various schools districts in Texas have earned the recognition and praise by TSPRA (Texas School Public Relations Association) amongst others. The work that was recognized included video, print and photography.