JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 18, 2021 — The named Union alumnus Javier Garcia the 2021 CAEL Learner of the Year 鈥� an award that celebrates an adult learner who has overcome multiple barriers to meet his or her educational goals.
CAEL is a national organization that partners with institutions like Union University to support adult learners as they navigate education and employment. As advocates for lifelong learning, CAEL engages with educators, employers and community leaders to equip adults balancing the pursuit of academic and 海角乱伦社区 success.
CAEL will host its 47th annual conference Nov.17-19 in San Diego, Calif., where it will honor Garcia鈥檚 hard work and perseverance in his pursuit of higher education.
At the age of 29, Garcia left alone from his home country and emigrated from Cuba to the United States.
鈥淚 spoke very little English and came to live in Middle Tennessee in December 2000 because my brother was already living in Madison,鈥� Garcia said. 鈥淔reedom and a chance for a better life drew me to the United States.鈥�
After becoming a U.S. citizen in 2008, Garcia told his family in Cuba that he wanted to be a police officer. He said they laughed at him, but in 2009, he was hired to work for the Hendersonville Police Department.
Denney Coarsey, a former detective sergeant of the criminal investigations division for the Hendersonville Police Department, introduced Garcia to Union and to the idea of pursuing a college degree. Coarsey taught two courses in the criminal justice concentration at Union University Hendersonville and believed Garcia could greatly benefit from its Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degree.
Garcia enrolled at Union University Hendersonville in 2014 鈥� working as a full-time police officer, student and parent of two children. In 2019, Garcia graduated summa cum laude and received an Academic Medal of Excellence. He was promoted to the rank of detective, where he continues to serve the Hendersonville community and support his family.
Coarsey never saw Garcia finish his degree, as he died shortly before Garcia graduated. Reneé Dauer, campus director of Union University Hendersonville, said she knows Coarsey would be proud of all Garcia鈥檚 achievements, and she sees this award as a tribute to both Coarsey鈥檚 encouragement and Garcia鈥檚 hard work.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all so proud of Javier, as we鈥檙e proud of all our graduates,鈥� Dauer said. 鈥淛avier鈥檚 journey should inspire others that no matter what your dream is, if you want it badly enough and if you鈥檙e willing to work hard enough for it, anything is possible.鈥�
Dauer believes this honor not only recognizes Garcia鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence but also testifies to the partnership Union University has with each of its students. As adult students learn how to navigate this educational and professional path, Dauer said Union鈥檚 dedication to students鈥� success and wellbeing is essential to its academic model.
鈥淏eing recognized by this nationally-respected organization is a tremendous accolade, and it reaffirms what we鈥檙e doing at Union is changing people鈥檚 lives,鈥� Dauer said.
Being awarded the 2021 CAEL Learner of the Year means the world to Garcia and his family. As they send their first child to college, Garcia believes this award is for his family as much as it is for himself.
鈥淚t proves to my family that you can do whatever you want to do; you just need to work hard,鈥� Garcia said. 鈥淕etting this award is important because it shows that all the hard work paid off.鈥�