Biography
Terrance Harris serves as the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for the College of Engineering. Terrance received his Bachelor's degree in Business from Western Kentucky University and his Master’s Degree in Higher Education from the University of North Texas. As director, Harris is responsible for the college’s DEI initiatives supporting and promoting programs, policies, events, and other activities to foster conversations and create a sustainable framework to advance DEI across Drexel Engineering. His role includes co-chairing the college’s committee on DEI, working collaboratively with Drexel’s Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture to ensure the planning and implementation of relevant DEI training and educational opportunities for college faculty and staff, as well as with HR and the college leadership on initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and staff. Harris also coordinates with affinity student organizations and programs across the college including, NSBE, SHPE, and SWE to name a few, acting as secondary advisor as well as primary college contact for external affinity-based organizations.
Prior to joining Drexel Engineering, Harris served six years as the Director of the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University. As Director of the BCC, Harris worked collectively with campus partners, alumni, and various corporate entities to provide support and opportunities for students (specifically Black identified students), faculty, staff, and alumni. Harris advised multiple organizations such as the Black Student Union (BSU), Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA), African Student Association (ASA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) while also building bridges between alumni and community outreach. He served as Co-Chair for the President’s Commission on the Status of Black Faculty & Staff Affairs actively advocated for Black faculty and staff support at Oregon State University.
As director, Harris’ vision is to be an advocate, innovator and equitable leader of inclusive excellence who is committed to supporting the consistent development of our diverse student, faculty and staff populations in engineering.
Terrance is actively involved with the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity (NCORE), a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Harris is a true southerner originally from Louisville, KY Terrance has lived all over the south in cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, and Orlando. Terrance believes that his everyday mission is to be the vessel to foster student development while always being your authentic self.
Degrees / Education
- M.Ed Higher Education in Student Affairs, University of North Texas
- BS in General Business, Western Kentucky University