Tanya Garcia, a student in the Associate in Arts Program (AAP) at the Georgetown campus of the College of Arts and Sciences, passed away on Sept. 2, 2025. She was 19. 

Ms. Garcia was known among her classmates and professors for her welcoming smile and thoughtful presence in the classroom. Her dedication to learning and her compassion for others left a lasting impression on the campus community.

Anne Colwell, professor of English at AAP Georgetown, reflected on Ms. Garcia’s time in her First-Year Writing class: “Tanya sat in the corner by the door of my First-Year Writing class and smiled at everyone who came into the classroom. Her joy and desire to listen and learn never diminished. Tanya's first paper focused on the health struggles that she'd been through and the ones that she knew she'd still have to face, but the essay was inspiring because she talked about how grateful she was for her family, friends, and faith. I'm honored and grateful to have known Tanya.”

Ms. Garcia’s strength and gratitude inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She approached her studies and her life with perseverance and faith, bringing warmth and positivity to those around her.

A celebration of Ms. Garcia’s life and obituary can be found online.