Dr. Kendall Harris

Kendall T. Harris, Ph.D., P.E., a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, is a seasoned university administrator and faculty member with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. Throughout his career, Dr. Harris has demonstrated dynamic, results-oriented leadership, with a strong track record of fostering institutional growth, improving student success outcomes, and enhancing organizational effectiveness across a variety of academic environments. He is recognized for developing and executing innovative strategies that improve retention, boost graduation rates, and align academic programs with evolving workforce demands.

Dr. Harris has held several high-level administrative roles, including Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research at Texas Southern University (2018–2021) and Dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University (2007–2017). Currently, he serves with The Registry, a prestigious organization of experienced higher education administrators, where he has completed multiple interim appointments. His current role at Chapman University marks his third engagement with The Registry, following his appointments as Interim Dean of the College of Engineering, Aviation, and Architecture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Science at the University of Texas Permian Basin.

In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Harris has consistently held faculty appointments, maintaining a strong presence in teaching and research. His scholarly work has attracted over $20 million in external research and program funding. His research interests include heat transfer, electronic package cooling, and energy conservation, with numerous publications and conference presentations to his credit.

Beyond academia, Dr. Harris is a committed community advocate. He has worked extensively with youth, encouraging them to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields. He firmly believes that education is the key factor that distinguishes the “haves” from the “have nots.”

Dr. Harris earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mississippi and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Psychology from the University of Kansas. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Aviation Officer School and served as a U.S. Naval Officer and Aviator.

Dr. Harris is actively involved in several professional organizations, including Advancing Minorities Interested in Engineering (AMIE), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), Women of Color in STEM, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).