Dr. Lydia Gloria Harris J.D. Scholarship Endowment

Established in 2017 to provide scholarships for deserving students currently enrolled at either West Valley College or Mission College and interested in pursuing higher education in early childhood education and reading.

The purpose of this endowment is to benefit students from either West Valley or Mission College interested in future studies in the areas of child development, early childhood education, elementary education, or reading.

Dr. Harris believes that the classroom should be a laboratory for learning where students are treated with dignity and are challenged and motivated to think and to express ideas. It should be a place of beauty and joy with the teacher serving as a guide rather than a dictator. The teacher should encourage students not just to try hard but to be the best. Students who share and would like to further this philosophy are the ones that Dr. Harris wishes to reward with this scholarship award.

Prior to coming to California, Dr. Harris studied at the University of Arizona culminating with a PhD in education. In Arizona, she was employed in different positions in several educational institutions including Project Head Start, private and public schools, community colleges, and the University of Arizona.

Coming to California in 1976, Dr. Harris was hired by the West Valley-Mission Community College District and began her career in the Early Childhood Education Department. She designed and developed the programs at both colleges.

Other duties included serving as vice president and president of the Academic Senate, co-president of the District Academic Senate, District Staff Development Director, Grievance Officer, Chair and Team Leader of Accreditation Teams, and chair of numerous other committees including the WVC Curriculum Committee, Hiring Committees, and Program Review Teams. She was also honored as Teacher of the Year three times. At the same time, Dr. Harris earned another Masters Degree and a JD.

After retirement, Dr. Harris became an associate faculty member and represented the Faculty on ACE. She co-founded the West Valley-Mission Association for Retired Employees. Dr. Harris is currently a member of the Child Abuse Council of Santa Clara County and was on the Santa Clara County Grand Jury.