Celebrating the Life of Charles Harris-Inman

On March 24, 2026, our ALBA community lost a dear friend, colleague, and leader. After a courageous four-year battle with cancer, our Executive Director, Charles Harris-Inman, passed away.

Charles arrived in Barcelona in 1998, and he quickly discovered that this city had a way of becoming home. It was here that he found not only a place to live, but a community to which he truly belonged.

In 2002, he joined his wife, Tracy Horn, and ALBA founder, Dr. Charles Grant, forming a team that would help shape ALBA into the organization it is today. From the very beginning, it was clear that his vision extended far beyond the classroom. He believed that the most meaningful part of studying abroad was found in the relationships students built, the perspectives they gained, and the connections they forged across cultures.

Anyone who met Charles knew that people always came first. Whether welcoming students on their first day in Barcelona, supporting a university partner, or simply sharing a conversation over coffee, he had a remarkable ability to make others feel seen, valued, and at ease. His kindness, generosity, and enthusiasm became part of ALBA’s identity.

Thousands of students have been part of the ALBA community during Charles’ years with the organization. While every student’s journey has been unique, they all shared something in common: they experienced a program built on genuine care for people and a belief in the life-changing power of cultural exchange.

Although Charles is no longer with us, his presence remains woven into the fabric of ALBA. Every student we welcome, every partnership we build, and every meaningful connection made through our programs continues the vision he helped create.

As we look to the future, we do so with immense gratitude for Charles’ friendship, leadership, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of international education. His legacy lives on in this community and in the countless lives he touched.