Max Garcia
Valencia,CA
Summary
Experienced education leader, certified therapist, and performance coach with over two decades of experience in K-12 leadership, college access programming, and higher education instruction. Demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational management, student development, and mental performance consulting. Combines a strong foundation in counseling psychology and program administration with expertise in coaching elite athletes and cultivating peak performance through mindset training and psychological preparation.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Performance Coach / Founder
MGJR Consulting
Remote
01.2022 - Current
- Provide individualized mental performance coaching to elite athletes focused on visualization, focus, resilience, and goal achievement.
- Develop evidence-based mental skills programs rooted in sports psychology and cognitive-behavioral techniques.
- Conduct seminars and workshops on mental preparation, emotional regulation, and performance consistency under competitive pressure.
- Support athletes and high performers in developing growth mindsets and overcoming performance anxiety through personalized training plans.
Executive Administrator
Bert Corona Charter High School
Pacoima, CA
01.2019 - Current
- Lead and oversee all aspects of school operations, strategic planning, and academic programming in alignment with institutional goals and charter expectations.
- Supervise department heads and support teams to ensure cohesive implementation of curriculum, instruction, and student support initiatives.
- Direct college and career readiness programs, ensuring equity, access, and measurable outcomes in postsecondary success.
- Oversee compliance initiatives, including WASC accreditation, charter renewal documentation, and state accountability reporting.
- Utilize data-driven analysis to guide continuous school improvement efforts and monitor key performance metrics.
- Coordinate external partnerships with colleges, community organizations, and industry leaders to expand student opportunities in higher education and workforce pathways.
- Facilitate faculty professional development focused on instructional leadership, collaboration, and student engagement.
Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
Luminarias
San Fernando, CA
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Delivered therapy to individuals, couples, and families addressing emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges.
- Applied evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and family systems therapy.
- Created individualized treatment plans and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care.
College Professor
California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CA
01.2017 - 01.2024
- Taught undergraduate courses in counseling psychology and human development.
- Designed syllabi, assignments, and assessments emphasizing applied learning.
- Mentored students in research, professional development, and field career preparation.
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Project GRAD Los Angeles
Mission Hills, CA
01.2007 - 01.2018
- Developed strategic collaborations with colleges, universities, and educational agencies to expand student access and postsecondary pathways.
- Negotiated Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and managed shared outcomes to ensure program sustainability and compliance.
- Served as institutional liaison to align partnership activities with organizational objectives.
- Supervised multi-site college readiness teams for six high school sites.
- Managed implementation and compliance of two consecutive federal GEAR UP grants.
- Analyzed data and outcomes to improve FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and transition metrics.
Clinical Case Worker
Sylmar Health & Rehabilitation Center
Sylmar, CA
01.1995 - 01.2007
- Provided behavioral and emotional care in a psychiatric inpatient setting.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to implement individualized treatment plans.
- Trained and mentored new counseling staff in de-escalation and care protocols.
Education
Master of Science - Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy)
Phillips Graduate University
01.2018
Master of Science - School Counseling (Organizational Leadership)
University of La Verne
01.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
San Francisco State University
01.1994
Skills
- Executive and instructional leadership
- Performance psychology and mental conditioning
- Strategic planning and program design
- Multicultural and bilingual communication (English/Spanish)
- Data analysis and continuous improvement planning
- Staff development and team leadership
- Curriculum development and instructional coaching
Certification
- Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential (AMFT & CWA)
Affiliations
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Timeline
Performance Coach / Founder
MGJR Consulting
01.2022 - Current
Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
Luminarias
01.2021 - 01.2024
Executive Administrator
Bert Corona Charter High School
01.2019 - Current
College Professor
California State University, Northridge
01.2017 - 01.2024
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Project GRAD Los Angeles
01.2007 - 01.2018
Clinical Case Worker
Sylmar Health & Rehabilitation Center
01.1995 - 01.2007
Master of Science - School Counseling (Organizational Leadership)
University of La Verne
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
San Francisco State University
Master of Science - Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy)
Phillips Graduate University