The University of the Virgin Islands welcomes Dr. Kendra L. Harris as the new dean of the School of Business and professor of marketing. Harris brings with her over 25 years of professional and higher education experience that includes numerous awards.
She received the 2019 Teaching Excellence Award for Alabama A&M University; the 2017 Ph.D. Project Service Recognition Award; the North Carolina Central University School of Business Undergraduate Students’ Choice Award “Teacher of the Year” in 2008 and 2009; and the National Doctoral Fellowship Recipient for the National Black MBA Association, just to name a few.
Previously, she taught at: Alabama A&M University, North Carolina Central University, Cornell University, George Washington University, Hood College, University of Maryland University College, John Hopkins University and Howard University.
“We are pleased to have Dr. Harris join the UVI family. She brings a wealth of experience in various settings, and we hope to continue growth in programming in the School of Business, through her leadership,” said Provost Dr. Camille McKayle.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve the University of the Virgin Islands in the capacity of Dean of the School of Business,” said Harris. “I very much look forward to identifying ways in which I can leverage the talent that exists here with the faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and stakeholders to continue to move the School of Business forward in the best interest of the students in particular, the university in general, and the Virgin Islands community overall. As part of my activities, I look forward to building relationships with business and industry.”
For the past 20 years, Dean Harris has cultivated small business education, development and networking. She has conducted business seminars for the Small Business Development Center in Washington D.C. and the Chamber of Commerce in Huntsville, Ala. Additionally, she has developed a track record for raising money for academic initiatives by forging partnerships among major businesses, small businesses, government and educational institutions.
Harris’ research has largely focused on consumer satisfaction, specifically the differences in consumer complaint satisfaction via conventional mechanisms (e.g. phone, face-to-face) versus online mechanisms. Most recently, she has become involved in research related to marketing and public policy implications of the growing singles population. In doing so, she has published a book, “Happily Never Married.”
Harris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from American University in Washington D.C. She holds a Master’s of Business Administration with course emphases in marketing and finance from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in Durham, N.C. and a Ph.D. in Business Administration in the major field of marketing and a supporting field of diversity management from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. Dr. Harris is a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she has held a number of leadership positions.
“My vision for the School of Business is that it provides competitive offerings that position our students to thrive and excel in the global economy as servant leaders who are great stewards of our society’s resources,” she said. “In addition, I would like for the School of Business to be a great partner to its stakeholders.”
Dean Harris will serve both the St. Thomas Campus and the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, though her primary residence will be on St. Croix.
For more information, contact the public relations office at 693-1057 or at pr@uvi.edu.