The Blue Devil of the Month in March of 2026, Govanni Garcia's path at Kansas City Kansas Community College began in law enforcement, but it has evolved into something far more personal. As the campus's Community Engagement Officer, Garcia has found a role that lets him connect with students, support their growth, and help shift perceptions of policing, one conversation at a time.
His story is not just about a job title; it's about presence, compassion and the quiet impact of showing up for others. For Garcia, every day on campus is an opportunity to make a difference, whether he's at a basketball game, visiting the dorms, or simply offering a familiar face students can trust. When Garcia transitioned from a traditional police officer to his current role, the change was immediate and meaningful.
"Community engagement, I feel you get an opportunity to be more out with the students," he said. "I'm just basically more the face of the department, I feel."
That visibility has allowed him to be present at events like Special Olympics and programs with the Down Syndrome Guild and to be the person students turn to when they need support. "Whatever event that's community oriented, I'm there. Which is really good," Garcia said
Diana Goldbeck, who previously worked alongside Garcia in the police department and now serves as KCKCC's athletic administrative assistant, echoes the impact he has made.
"Officer Garcia has made a big impact just by being present and involved," she said. "He takes the time to get to know people across campus, especially our student-athletes, and really helps create a sense of community and safety."
She also shared what it's like to work with him: "Working with Officer Garcia is always a positive experience. I have had the opportunity to work with him in the police department and now in athletics, and he always is ready to jump in and help. He's reliable and easy to talk to and work with. He brings a great attitude every day."
Garcia's favorite part of his job is watching students grow.
"Getting to interact with students every day, hopefully making a difference, but seeing them be successful," he said. "I remember last year at graduation, I saw the kids I talked to. It's almost like a proud dad moment."
He understands that every student is on a different path—and he's proud to be a small part of their journey. "Everyone is different," Garcia said. "Some people that I talked to that play sports after these two years say I'm done—I'm great. Some people want to go to Florida, to California. Whatever they want to do is great."
His advice to students is simple but powerful: "Take care of yourself. If you're not 100%, you can't be there for anyone. You can't get good grades. If you're not good, then what good are you?"
As a Latino officer, Garcia also feels a responsibility to represent his community and help break down stereotypes.
"One of the reasons I wanted to become a police officer was Latino representation, to remove any bias," he said. "Not all cops are bad. So students can think "Oh, he speaks my language." He knows that many people only see the negative side of policing on social media, and he wants to offer something different.
Garcia's connection to KCKCC athletics has also been a highlight of his role.
"The athletic department itself, I appreciate how inviting and open they are," he said. "Everyone wants to take care of each other, and I really enjoy that."
Goldbeck notes that Garcia's presence goes beyond his official duties. "He helps create a positive and safe environment by being visible and approachable. Whether he's at events or just around campus, people know they can count on him, which goes a long way in making everyone feel comfortable and safe," she said.
She added why Garcia is deserving of recognition: "Officer Garcia is very deserving of Blue Devil of the Month because of how dedicated he is and how much he genuinely cares about the campus community. He has made the police department's social media presence something fun and informative. It's fun to see him in attendance at games and sometimes even joined by his family. He goes above and beyond, and it doesn't go unnoticed."
Reflecting on his journey, Garcia is confident he's where he's supposed to be. "I belong here at this moment making differences and following up on students," he said. "It's comfortable. It's good. I feel like I'm supposed to be here right now."
His hope is that every student feels comfortable reaching out to campus police when they need help. "I want everyone to feel comfortable calling us, asking us questions," Garcia said. "I want to see everyone succeed."