Office of the

Vice President of Instruction

Dr. Travaris Harris, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction of Cabrillo College

Dr. Harris is currently the Vice President for Instruction at Cabrillo College. Previously, he served as Interim Provost at Harper College in Palatine, IL. In that capacity, he oversaw academic and student affairs. While serving at Harper College, he served as the accreditation liaison officer and led the implementation of guided pathways reform, international education. academic advising and the use of predictive analytics, provided oversight for first year learning communities, and developed training workshops for faculty to improve classroom success. Prior to that he served as Dean of Business and Social Sciences at Harper College. During his tenure at Harper, he has helped faculty launch several new programs at the college. From 2015-2019 he was Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator at Harper College. During that period he received an award from the White House for leading efforts to obtain health coverage for uninsured students. Dr. Harris started his academic career at Harper College as a Student Development Faculty Member and Counselor. From 2013 to 2015 he provided oversight for the Center for Multicultural Learning while also teaching courses in counseling, advising, and student development. He also coordinated a summer bridge program for the college. Dr. Harris brings extensive experience implementing programs as both an instructional and student services leader.

Dr. Harris earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from Southern Illinois University, and a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation from SIU. He earned his Ed.D. from Argosy University in Educational Leadership. In 2012 he co-authored a book titled Diversity and Social Justice in a Changing United States (Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt). Dr. Harris is a member of several national associations, including the American Association of Community Colleges, the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship, and NASPA (the association of Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education). Dr. Harris was born and raised in Chicago, IL.

College Mission and Vision Statements

Mission Statement

Cabrillo College empowers students to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and responsible world citizens. With a commitment to quality and equity, we connect all learners to pathways that propel them from where they are to where they aspire to be, including: academic, personal, and career growth.

Vision Statement

Cabrillo College improves the world, one student at a time.