Alongside our Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff – Trident University Administration is charged with ensuring that the values of exceptional learning, compassionate commitment, and leadership remain at the forefront of Trident’s mission. Our administrators oversee university operations to ensure the success of our students, our programs, and our institution.
Meet Your Trident University Administrators
Travis Allen
President and Chief Executive Officer
With 18 years of experience in higher education, President and Chief Executive Officer, Travis Allen, has used his deep passion for student success as the foundation for all his leadership successes.
Vahid Shariat
Chief Information Officer
Vahid earned a Bachelor and Master Degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering (Cum Laude) from State University Of New York of Buffalo.
David Barrett
Chief Financial Officer
A financial professional working in a variety of strategic and financial roles for over 15 years, David Barrett currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Trident University.
Dr. Afshin Afrookhteh
Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
Of all my professional experiences beginning with healthcare in 1986, none have been as exciting or fulfilling as my experience in higher education helping change the lives of under-served populations.
Dr. Mihaela Tanasescu
Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Accreditation Liaison Officer for WASC Senior College and University Commission
Dr. Tanasescu has over 20 years of service in health and education, including prior work at the National Institute of Public Health in Romania.
Dr. Heidi Smith
Dean - College of Education
Areas of Expertise: Postsecondary leadership; program development; college access...
Dr. Mickey Shachar
Dean - College of Health and Human Services
It is my prayer and hope that what will "breathe when I expire" will be what I have instilled in my students’ lives and minds.
Dr. Simcha Pollard
Vice President of Strategic Analytics & Operations - Glenn R. Jones College of Business
I joined Trident to take up new professional challenges for me, involving making a college community accessible to those who are not able to attend a 'brick and mortar' university.
