Through their leadership the Board of Directors provides a framework for policy development assuring professional competencies and advocacy for student enrichment. The Board of Directors consists of one representative from each member college and meets monthly with The Academy’s President.
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Chris Dela Rosa, Vice President of Administrative and Technology Services, Ohlone College
Dr. Chris Dela Rosa was born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 2008. Dr. Dela Rosa, worked in higher education as a full-time faculty member, thesis advisor, Director of Information Technology, and Academic Dean, continued working in higher education in Maryland, and New Mexico prior to joining Ohlone College in 2015. Due to his passion and dedication for teaching and learning, continues to teach part-time while working full-time in management and is currently in Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus. Prior to becoming the Vice President of Administrative and Technology Services, he was the Associative Vice President of IT Services. Dr. Dela Rosa earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering, and a Master of Engineering (Computer Engineering) at Mapua University in the Philippines, and a Doctor of Management from University of Phoenix. He also completed an Executive Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in preparation for more responsibilities that serve students and the community.
Vice Chairman of the Board
Dr. Jon Knolle, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Monterey Peninsula College
Dr. Jon Knolle currently serves as the Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Monterey Peninsula College where he provides leadership for
operations and activities within Academic Affairs,
including supporting programs and faculty in areas including curriculum, instruction, scheduling, enrollment management. Previously, Dr. Knolle served as Dean of Instruction responsible for leadership of
MPC’s distance online program, instructional
technology, the MPC Library, dual enrollment, adult education, and support for the Business & Technology
division. His research and professional activities have
focused on curriculum design, enrollment management, e-learning, instructional
design, social media, and communication technologies.
Dr. Knolle has also served as adjunct faculty in the Media Arts & Design
department at California State University, Chico where he has taught
undergraduate and graduate courses in instructional design and technology;
multimedia and web design; social media; and communication technologies.
Previously Dr. Knolle managed the design, development, and implementation of
the California Department of Education’s state-wide online teacher community
“Brokers of Expertise”; served as a consultant on numerous higher education
online teaching and learning initiatives; and was a partner/owner in a media design
and consulting firm. As an instructional and multimedia designer, he has worked
on projects for clients including, Fox News Corporation, Honda Motorcycles,
Warner Brothers Studios, Cessna Aircraft Company, Outback Steakhouse, Inc.,
and the United States Air Force.
Dr. Knolle received his Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Higher
Educational Leadership from California State University, Sacramento as well as
Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Instructional Technology
from California State University, Chico.
Director of the Board
Jeff DeFranco, M.A., Superintendent / President, Lake Tahoe Community College
A native Californian, Jeff DeFranco started at Lake Tahoe Community College in 2012. Before accepting the position as superintendent/president, he served as the college’s Vice President of Administrative Services. Jeff brings a unique array of experience, having worked in K-12, community colleges, and at four-year institutions. He earned his undergraduate degree from California State University, Chico and his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon. He is currently a doctoral student in Pepperdine University’s nationally-ranked Global Leadership and Change Ph.D. program. Jeff is an active member of the South Lake Tahoe community with his wife, Kasey, and their two sons. He is an enthusiastic believer in life-long learning and consistently strives to broaden his thinking, especially in the areas of leadership and driving positive change.
Director of the Board
Dr. Carla Grandy, Vice President of Instruction, San Mateo Community College District
Provides leadership to all Instructional Programs including all academic areas, library, academic support (Learning Center, Math Center, Writing Center, and ESL Center), supports processes such as student learning outcome assessment, professional development, and curriculum updates.
I enjoy travel and doing anything outside — hiking, camping, kayaking – especially with my family. I love to cook and eat and especially love experimenting with vegan cooking. I am also very interested in sustainability and always looking for ways to live more sustainably and to incorporate sustainability efforts into my work.
Director of the Board
Dr. Pedro Avila, Superintendent / President, Gavilan College
President Avila became Gavilan’s 8th President upon approval from the Gavilan Joint Community Districts Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Previously, President Avila served as the Vice President of Student Services at Santa Rosa Junior College. He has worked in the community college system for 20 years and has led several successful initiatives to increase college-going rates for underrepresented student populations.
He was born and spent his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1984, his family emigrated to the US to find better opportunities. Like many migrant families, they experienced poverty and housing insecurity hardships.
President Avila holds degrees in Latino studies and business from Fresno State University. A Master in Business Administration from Rockhurst University and a Certificate in Institutional Performance Assessment from Harvard’s Higher Education Institute. He holds a Doctorate in Community College Policy from the University of Maryland.
His administrative experience includes serving as Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, Admissions & Records, and Information Systems at State Center Community College District. At West Hills Community College District, he served as Vice President of Student Services and Vice-Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness & Enrollment Management.
Dr. Avila’s work is grounded in his experiences as an immigrant, English-language learner, and first-generation college student.
Director of the Board
Dr. Travaris Harris, Vice President of Instruction, 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.
Director of the Board
Graciano Mendoza, Vice President of Administrative Services, Hartnell College
Hartnell welcomes Graciano Mendoza to the position of vice president of administrative services on August 1, responsible for budgetary and fiscal operations, facilities and maintenance, public safety and emergency management, and food services operations. He has more than 28 years of experience in finance and administrative services, including 21 years with California Community Colleges.
Since 2021, Mendoza has served as vice president of administrative
services at Gavilan College. From 2019 to 2021 he held the same title
at Cañada College. Mendoza began his career in finance roles in higher
education at Santa Clara University in 1993. He joined West Valley College
as principal financial analyst in 2001, and then moved to the West Valley
Mission Community College District in 2004 to take the position of budget
manager. In 2010, he served as director of business services at Cabrillo College.
Graciano holds a Master of Business Administration degree with
concentrations in finance and international business and a Bachelor of
Science degree in accounting, both from Santa Clara University
