Dr. Harris Awarded for Outreach Service and Support of Academic Enrichment

February 11, 2019

You may know Dr. Harris as a professor, ergonomist, program director or physical therapist. But did you also know she is an avid sailor and the Board Chair and Founder of the Treasure Island Sailing Center (TISC)?

According to SFGate - Dr. Harris' efforts to bring the TISC to life have resulted in teaching thousands of kids to sail. The center is still expanding programming while serving a huge percentage of kids on scholarship.

Kids on a sail boat smiling

Dr. Carisa HarrisFor her dedication to the academic enrichment of the youth in her community, Dr. Harris was was recently awarded the Virginia Long Sail Training Service & Support Award. She has used her university research experience to help the TISC facilitate it's community outreach by securing resources through grant writing and diligent fundraising; for example:

  • A $43,000 grant from NOAA to support a fifth-grade STEM program called “Sailing to Save the Sea.”

  • A $965,000 five-year award to support their Summer Camp from DCYF (Department of Children, Youth and their Families – City of San Francisco).

  • A $50,000 grant from the St. Francis Sailing Foundation, being used to supplement NOAA’s grant for Sailing to Save the Sea.

  • In partnership with the St. Francis Sailing Foundation and FAST (Facility for Advanced Sailing and Technology), TISC is accepting the entire America’s Cup Base structure from Oracle Racing, starting the most exciting chapter in its Puddles to Podium initiative.

Read more about this story on SFGate

Congratulations to Dr. Harris on making a difference for these children and the community.