Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Cal Poly Humboldt

Dr. Jenn Capps serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she has led transformative initiatives since 2020. She co-led the self-study that established Humboldt as California State University’s third polytechnic university and helped secure a historic $458 million state investment that expanded workforce aligned academic programs, increased enrollment and enhanced student success. Deeply committed to educational access and attainment, Dr. Capps led Humboldt’s recent efforts to earn the prestigious Seal of Excelencia.

In her previous role as Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver, she advanced public-private partnerships in areas like health, technology and hospitality which increased community engagement and financial resiliency. Her leadership style is characterized as student centered and strength-based prioritizing transparency and communication. Dr. Capps holds advanced degrees in counseling psychology, is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in juvenile rehabilitation and crisis response.

Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction, Cabrillo College

Dr. Travaris Harris is a student-centered executive leader with over 25 years of experience driving student success and institutional innovation in higher education. As the current Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Instruction, and Accreditation Liaison Officer at Cabrillo College, he oversees the academic mission of the institution.

His experience includes oversight for academic programs, student affairs, first-year experience, and international education. His professional hallmarks include leadership of an award-winning equity retention program and co-chair of the Achieving the Dream initiative that significantly increased student success outcomes. He is an Aspen Fellow and recently completed the University of California, Davis Wheelhouse program.

Dr. Harris completed his Bachelor of Arts in History and Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern Illinois University, and his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Argosy University. He currently serves on the Board for United Way of Santa Cruz County and co-chairs a committee for the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.

Former Chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College

Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper is a visionary and equity-minded higher education leader with more than two decades of executive experience as Chancellor, President, and Provost across community college systems in Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and California. She is recognized for leading institutional transformation that strengthens academic quality, fiscal stability, enrollment growth, and community trust.

Guided by her belief that “if it’s good for students, it’s the right thing to do,” Dr. Robinson-Cooper advances student success through innovative, student-centered, and data-informed strategies that close equity gaps and expand opportunity. She has built strong partnerships in healthcare, manufacturing, public safety, and education to create workforce pipelines aligned with regional economic priorities.

A collaborative and servant-oriented leader, she is also a skilled fiscal steward and fundraiser who empowers teams to achieve a shared vision of excellence, equity, and community impact. Dr. Robinson-Cooper holds an Ed.D., MBA, M.S., B.S., and A.S. from Northern Illinois University, National Louis University, and Kishwaukee College.

Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer, Santa Barbara City College

Dr. María Villagómez is an equity-minded higher education leader with over 30 years in public education, including 25 in California’s community colleges. A first-generation college graduate and former award-winning professor and administrator, she brings an educator’s insight to her leadership and is recognized for advancing institutional effectiveness, academic innovation, and student success through collaboration, transparency, and strategic vision. As a tenured faculty member for nearly two decades, she championed faculty voice through executive leadership in the Faculty Association and Academic Senate.

Her leadership has strengthened enrollment management, faculty diversity, and fiscal stewardship while driving reforms in Guided Pathways, dual enrollment, and curriculum alignment. Beyond academia, Dr. Villagómez founded a language and cultural consulting firm that partnered with NBC Universal and Moonbug Entertainment to promote authentic representation of Hispanics. A 2024–2025 Aspen Presidential Fellow, she leads with integrity, inclusiveness, love, and a strong commitment to equity, access, and student empowerment.