State Chancellor Brice Harris Opening Day Speaker

Dr. Brice W. Harris, Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, will speak at Cañada on Thursday, Aug. 15 as part of the San Mateo County Community College District's Opening Day activities.

Dr. Brice Harris

The topic of Harris’ presentation will be “Restoring Access and Improving Student Success:
The Dual Opportunities of California Community Colleges.” Harris has spent much of his career working to improve student success and access at community colleges. 

Harris has served as chancellor since 2012. Prior to being selected as the leader of the largest system of higher education in the nation, Harris served 16 years as chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District in the Sacramento region, president of Fresno City College and a faculty member and vice chancellor in the Kansas City, Mo., community college system.

While with Los Rios, he was instrumental in leading initiatives that improved student success. He also led the charge to expand access for thousands of students by overseeing the establishment of the district’s fourth college, Folsom Lake, and developing educational centers in Davis, Elk Grove, Natomas, Rancho Cordova and West Sacramento.

The district's Opening Day activities begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the Main Theater followed by a formal program from 9:15 to 11 a.m. that will include Harris' keynote address. A luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper quad.