Hall of Fame
Vareva Harris has trained thousands of high school and college students around the country how to secure scholarships for college. As an advocate, consultant, executive, speaker, and researcher on leadership and management, she takes a personal approach to matching philanthropic opportunities with communities, students, and future leaders producing transformational results.
She is the founder and president of the Institute for Emerging Leaders, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The purpose of IEL, Inc. organization is to educate, expose, enlighten, encourage, and empower young people to be successful. She is a native of Woodruff, South Carolina and is a member of the Woodruff High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Vareva is a 1998 honors graduate of Benedict College where she earned a Bachelor's of Art degree in the teaching of English. During her college matriculation, she earned several honors and awards. She was an NAIA All-America Scholar Athlete, E.I.A.C. Female Athlete of the Year, and United Negro College Fund/NFL/NFL Players' Association scholarship recipient. A standout track & field athlete, she competed in the 1996 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in the triple jump event. She was All-Conference in the triple jump, high jump, as well as the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles.
After graduating from Benedict College, Vareva continued her education at Columbia College, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Resolution. She is currently working on her dissertation in pursuit of a Doctoral Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership.
Vareva is a servant leader. She has produced a record of accomplishments in various leadership roles at Benedict College. Some roles include associate vice president, director and assistant director. During her 20-year tenure, the impact of her leadership has yielded multi-million dollar grant funded outreach and research projects, scholarship funds for students, and expanded partnerships in government, corporate, and non-profit sectors.
Her passion for athletics continues through her work as a volleyball coach at local volleyball clubs and high schools. She is the wife of Wendell Harris and has been married for 21 years. They are the parents of six children and seven grandchildren. Her favorite scripture is Matthew 5: 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
