IT Professional II Kenneth Garcia says he is proud of his strong work ethic.

Kenneth Garcia is a tech geek.

Garcia is an IT professional II in the Metro State’s Information Technology division. In that role, he assists students, faculty and staff with everything from Blackberry devices to critical data storage. Or, as he puts it, he works on things that help people work more effectively and efficiently.

Garcia graduated from Metro State in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. His three-year stint as a work study student afforded him his first taste of the institution’s IT workings before staff turnover opened the door for his full-time appointment.

“I like the challenge,” says Garcia. “I like learning the new technology that’s coming out. I like the interaction with faculty and staff … to be able to work with them and give them options on how we can solve their issues. I thrive on that. Letting IT help Metro.”

Garcia is married with two kids, including a three-year-old son who seems to have caught the technology bug thanks to his father. Garcia says he enjoys unwinding from the stresses of his day by playing video games and going out to dinner for prime rib.

He spends a good portion of his free time at church, even donning his tech cap to help with setting up projectors used during services.

“I like bringing technology to people who don’t understand it,” says Garcia. “I bridge the gap.”

His passion for innovation sits prominently on his sleeve and he seems particularly proud of his diligent work ethic at Metro State.

“Some people aren’t willing to go that extra mile to make somebody else happy,” says Garcia. “I wish I could be an example for others to say, ‘Well, it’s okay to take this extra step [to help].’”

One area that Garcia sees as critically relevant is providing the necessary tools for professors and students to conduct academic exchanges inside and outside of the College’s campus environment. He points out that some professors best teach through classroom lectures while others prefer to incorporate online content delivery. Some, he says, are comfortable with both. Ultimately, matching the way that students best learn to the way that professors best teach is crucial to everyone’s success.

“As long as we can provide those three areas [online, classroom and both] with what they need, I think Metro will flourish,” Garcia says about his team’s role in facilitating and supporting learning.

While he is understandably guarded about the details, Garcia hints at big and exciting things on the technology front for Metro State’s future.

“There are definitely things that are on the horizon that are going to impress students and faculty alike.”