Travis is a Senior Program Officer, Communications for the North America team of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, concentrating on postsecondary education in the U.S.

Travis came to the foundation from the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices, where he oversaw policy development related to postsecondary access and completion, finance, governance, and accountability. During his tenure at NGA, Travis led the 2010-2011 Chair’s Initiative, which focused on increasing college completion. He has more than 25 years of experience in postsecondary education, serving state higher education executives, college and university presidents, and policymakers.

A fifth-generation native of South Dakota and a first-generation college student, Travis holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.P.P. from the University of Maryland-College Park.