James T. Harris

James T. Harris serves as president and professor of education at the University of San Diego. He is also president emeritus of Widener University and served as the president of Defiance College earlier in his career. Harris has served in leadership roles on several national education associations, including CASE, NCAA, Campus Compact, NAICU, and CUMU, as well as for multiple other state and local governing boards. He has received numerous recognitions for his leadership and service to higher education, including being named one of the “Top Fifty Character-Building Presidents in the Nation” by the John Templeton Foundation, receiving the Chief Executive Leadership award by CASE, and being recognized by the NAACP for his work in support of civil rights. All three of his alma maters have formally recognized him for his service to society, and the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees awarded him the distinguished alumnus award, the highest honor given a graduate. He remains an active scholar and teacher.