Laverne Harris

Laverne Harris serves as Assistant Vice Provost and Chief Financial Officer for the Division of Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Deeply passionate about student education and student success, she is committed to advancing the division’s mission by supporting the student-facing departments and professionals who provide exceptional service to students. Her work ensures the systems behind the student experience are strong, strategic, and centered on student outcomes.

As a trusted adviser and thought partner to divisional leadership, Laverne oversees the division’s fiscal, operations, and administrative services. She is a strong proponent of collaboration, strategic planning, and continuous improvement and enjoys working alongside colleagues to envision and imagine the best potential version of the division. Through a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, she helps position the Division of Student Success to meet evolving student and institutional needs.

Before joining the Division of Student Success, Laverne served as an Associate Vice President at an SEC institution of higher education, where she established a shared services unit and oversaw fiscal and administrative service delivery.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Laverne values continuous growth and professional development. She holds master’s degrees in business administration and educational psychology, bringing a unique blend of operational expertise and student-centered perspective to her leadership.

Education: MBA, University of Alabama; master’s in educational psychology, University of Alabama.

CliftonStrengths: Achiever, Relator, Developer, Harmony, Responsibility.