administrator Dean political scientist
Harris holds a bachelor"s degree in economics and business administration from Bar-Ilan University (1982), a master"s degree in Public Policy from Tel-Aviv University (1986), and a Doctor of Philosophy in public policy from Indiana University (1993).
He is currently Dean of and Professor at the College of Public Service and Urban Affairs at Tennessee State University. Born in South Africa, Michael Harris immigrated with his family to Israel as a child. After initially specializing in electoral politics and public policy, Harris" current research focuses on academic decision-making and developing learner-centered curricula within universities to improve student performance outcomes.
Doctor Harris served in the Israel Defense Forces and retired at the rank of major with active combat experience.
Harris is Dean of and Professor at the College of Public Service and Urban Affairs at Tennessee State University. From 2010 to 2012, Harris served as the sixth Chancellor of Indiana University Kokomo and a Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs, Business, and Education.
Harris led Indiana University Kokomo through the process of adding 10 new degree programs to the Kokomo campus. Harris instituted online classes and increased the number of Friday classes offered.
He also developed an athletic program
The first two sports (women's volleyball and men’s basketball) led the university to a full offering of an athletic program with joining the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) in 2012. In January 2012, under the leadership of Michael Harris, Indiana University Kokomo received a $1.25 million gift from Milt and Jean Cole to fund a new wellness and fitness center. The new facility; The Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center, opened in August, 2013.
He also served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan from 2007 to 2010.
Harris was the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ferris State University (2004-2007), a faculty member in the Department of Political Science and subsequently Associate Provost at Eastern Michigan University (1994–2004), and a faculty member in the Graduate Program of Public Policy at Tel Aviv University (1993-1994). In 2012, the Hebrew-language newspaper, Maariv, named Harris as the most successful Israeli academic working outside of Israel.
The Kokomo Perspective also named him their Person of the Year for 2011. In 2015, Doctor Harris worked with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to develop a unique certificate program, known as the Public Administration Executive Leadership Certificate or “Command College”.
In addition, he was named as a Consultant to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
