Harris, who has been appointed as the dean of the College of Business, expressed his humility and excitement at the opportunity to lead an institution that has had a significant impact on him and many others. He emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders who can make a positive impact not only in eastern North Carolina but also beyond. The college has a support system of over 30,000 alumni who are dedicated to uplifting and guiding current students.
During his tenure as interim dean, Harris made significant strides in advancing the College of Business and its commitment to serving the region and students. One such achievement was the establishment of the Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership, made possible by a generous $4.5 million donation from Richard G. Twilley. The academy focuses on enhancing sales education and offering executive programs to cultivate future industry leaders.
To re-engage with the COB Pirate Nation, Harris embarked on a journey that took him over 20,000 miles and allowed him to connect with alumni, industry partners, and supporters in eight different states. His collaborative efforts with COB leadership led to the development of the Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business and the launch of the Office of Expert Services. Additionally, Harris played a pivotal role in the completion and grand opening of the Isley Innovation Hub.
In an effort to provide students with valuable real-world experiences outside of the classroom, Harris collaborated with the Business Advisory Council to create travel opportunities for students. These experiences not only complemented their academic learning but also exposed them to various career pathways and allowed them to interact with alumni for networking and mentorship.
Harris’s vision for the College of Business is one where he hopes to continue pushing boundaries in innovation while maintaining its commitment to serving its community through its programs and initiatives.
The Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership will be instrumental in achieving this goal by providing students with cutting-edge sales education that will prepare them for success in today’s competitive marketplace.
Furthermore, Harris plans on leveraging his extensive network to bring more resources and opportunities back into our college, helping us attract top faculty members while building stronger partnerships with industry leaders.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter under Dean Harris’s leadership, we can all look forward to seeing how these initiatives will help shape our future as leaders in business – not just here at ECU but across North Carolina