Dean, College of Public Service and Urban Affairs, Tennessee State University 615-963-7201 harrism@aascu.org
Michael Harris, Ph.D. A leader with sound business acumen and a strong scholarly reputation. Exercises creative leadership that is mission focused, forward looking, and team oriented. Demonstrated skills include: critical thinking, entrepreneurship, network and consensus building, and innovation. Broad global perspective, and transformation expertise that bridges organizations and cultures and brings together government, business and academic stakeholders. Experienced in managing complex organizations, providing fiscal and financial oversight, assessing risk and strategic planning. Five books and close to forty refereed academic papers and book chapters. October 2012 – Present:
Senior Fellow, AASCU, American Association of State Colleges and Universities Fellow, SUNY, State University of New York, Levin Institute
Academic Professional Experience July 2013 – Present
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
Dean and Professor of The College of Public Service and Urban Affairs
July 2010 – Sept. 2012
Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN
Chancellor and Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs, Business and Education
Increased enrollment to a 67-year historic record. Achieved record-breaking fund raising amounts, including a $1.25M cash gift. Initiated the design, approval and secured all necessary funding to establish the Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center. Developed and implemented three-year strategic plan with significant faculty buy-in (2012-2015). Introduced 16 new academic programs including Bachelor of Applied Science and B.S. in Hospitality. Led IUK to become a key partner in regional transformation in North Central Indiana. Guided campus to be ranked for the first time by U.S. News and World Report.
July 2007 – June 2010
Kettering University
Flint, MI
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Policy
Awarded a total of $1.9m from the Kern Family Foundation to implement Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum and Institution program. Led collaboration with Swedish Bio-Gas International to create the Flint Center of Energy Excellence. Initiated and developed strategic training partnerships with GM, SAIC Motor Corporation, Liuzhou Wuling Motors Company Ltd., and the China Automotive Technology & Research Center. Led Academic Affairs and Student Affairs in developing a vision and strategic plan. Increased retention from 85.1% in 2007 to 94.3% in 2010.
July 2004 – May 2007
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Public Policy
Awarded a total of $1.2m in grants from the Michigan Dept. of Education and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation for facility improvements and program development. Facilitated cooperative agreements with An Giang University (Vietnam), and the Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (Brazil). Facilitated Ferris’s selection as one of eight U.S. universities in the Political Engagement Project (PEP). Implemented internal assessment review process and oversaw successful re-accreditations of Schools of Pharmacy and Optometry, among others.
Aug. 1994 – July 2004
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
Associate Provost and Professor of Political Science (5/2000 – 7/2004) Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs , and Professor of Political Science (2/2001 – 7/2001) Developed, implemented, and managed a comprehensive Program Review process. Successfully led the preparations of the NCA reaccreditation self-study report and site visit. Led the development of a comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2002-2007. Developed and successfully negotiated the first contract for FT Lecturers. Led faculty recruitment, orientation, retention, support, promotion, tenure and professional development efforts. Undergraduate Studies Coordinator, Division of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Political Science (5/1999 – 4/2000) Initiated and developed Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs). Established College Academic Advising Centers. Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & the MPA Program (1994-1998)
Tel Aviv University, Israel Assistant Professor, Graduate Program in Public Policy (1993-1994)
Pre-Academic Leadership and Work Experience
Marketing Consultant, Wallace International Silversmiths Inc., Boston, MA, 1993-1994. Special Project Manager, Resin & Partners, Inc., Alexandria, IN, 1992. V. P. for Finance and Marketing, Tomer Furniture Industries Inc., Timorim, Israel, 1986-1989. Chief Economist, Credit Union for Corporations and Communes, Israel, 1982-1985. Authorization Representative, VISA-Israel Credit Cards (I.C.C.), Israel, 1980-1982. Branch Manager, Moshav Shitufi Communal Farm, Timorim, Israel, 1978-1979. Major (Ret.), Israeli Defense Forces (I.D.F.), Regular Service, 1974-1978, Reserve, 1978-1989.
Education and Selected Professional Development
Ph.D., in Public Policy – Joint Program for SPEA School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Department of Political Science, Indiana University, 1993. M.A., in Public Policy, Tel Aviv University, Israel, 1986. B.A., in Economics - Business Administration, Bar Ilan University, Israel, 1982. Oxford Round Table. Harris Manchester College, Oxford University, 2012. Institute for Educational Management (IEM), Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2006. Management Development Program (MDP), Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2001. Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, and Tufts University, 2001.
Most Recent Books The Learner-Centered Curriculum: Design and Implementation. San Francisco: Wiley/Jossey-Bass, 2012, [with Cullen, R; Hill, R.]. Leading the Learner-Centered Campus. An Administrator’s Framework for Improving Student Learning Outcomes. San Francisco: Wiley/Jossey-Bass, 2010, [with Cullen, R]. Innovation and Entrepreneurship in State and Local Government. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2003, [with Kinney, R (Ed.)]