Insight

This “Hero of the Month” recipient has made her career with the Dallas County Community Colleges. Having dedicated more than 25 years to the system, her vision is truly student-centered. Allatia spent eight years full-time in the classroom teaching everything from speech communications to developmental studies. Moving into administration for the past 17 years, she has played an influential and positive role in the lives of hundreds if not thousands of students and other individuals.

Innovation

The Visions of Excellence program, this year’s system Innovation of the Year, is designed to orient new faculty to the culture of the system and the community college. It helps to ensure that new faculty enter the classroom with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver excellence in teaching and learning. It also creates opportunities for new faculty to learn from and with outstanding DCCC faculty. Allatia Harris, winner of this year's award, has administered this program for the past three years and so far has had more than 100 new faculty members complete the program. Faculty who have gone through this program have said, “I’ve hit the ground running now that I’ve gone through VOE!” and “I’ve made friends from my discipline and from across the system that will be useful as I begin my career with the Dallas County Community Colleges!” In addition to Allatia's already outstanding contributions, she was a recent participant in the Executive Leadership Institute by the League for Innovation.

Expectations of Continuous Growth

Allatia Harris constantly promotes new ideas and encourages creativity. For the many programs under her department’s umbrella, she is always searching for ways to make her programs have a greater impact as well as encouraging future growth. She has the "open mindness” that fosters growth and innovation. Her true dedication to continuous growth was shown by going back to school and earning a doctorate degree once well established both in life and her career. With determination and dedication Allatia is now addressed as "doctor." She has been an excellent role model for many!

Energy

Lastly, this "doctor" comes to work everyday with an amazingly positive attitude and genuine interest in her work, always geared up for whatever the day may bring. She has positively affected our work group, and when she is off site at other locations or takes vacation, her energy and laughter is truly missed.