2002 MLK Convocation
"Step Up! The World You Envision is the World You Make"

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., was named superintendent of the Columbus Public Schools June 11, 2001, and began her official duties on July 18, 2001. She received her education in the Columbus Public Schools, attending the former Garfield Elementary School, Linmoor Junior High School, and Linden-McKinley High School, from which she graduated in 1971. Dr. Harris has been an educator in the public schools since 1975. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where she earned her BA degree in English. She returned to Columbus to teach in Columbus Public Schools and to earn her Master�s degree in Education at The Ohio State University. She completed her doctorate at The Ohio University in November 1999.

Between 1980 and 1995, Dr. Harris served the young people of Columbus Public Schools in several administrative capacities � high school assistant principal (Central and Mifflin), high school principal (Briggs and Mifflin), supervisor of principals, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In these positions, she has worked with parents, teachers and community members to improve the academic performance of young people and the environments in which they learned. While a Columbus Public Schools administrator, Dr. Harris and her staff implemented full day kindergarten, began the work of aligning curriculum to state standards, and led the team that won the five-year, $15-million dollar National Science Foundation grant credited for some recent improvements in math and science scores.

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., was named superintendent of the Columbus Public Schools June 11, 2001, and began her official duties on July 18, 2001. She received her education in the Columbus Public Schools, attending the former Garfield Elementary School, Linmoor Junior High School, and Linden-McKinley High School, from which she graduated in 1971.

Dr. Harris has been an educator in the public schools since 1975. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where she earned her BA degree in English. She returned to Columbus to teach in Columbus Public Schools and to earn her Master�s degree in Education at The Ohio State University. She completed her doctorate at The Ohio University in November 1999.

Between 1980 and 1995, Dr. Harris served the young people of Columbus Public Schools in several administrative capacities � high school assistant principal (Central and Mifflin), high school principal (Briggs and Mifflin), supervisor of principals, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In these positions, she has worked with parents, teachers and community members to improve the academic performance of young people and the environments in which they learned. While a Columbus Public Schools administrator, Dr. Harris and her staff implemented full day kindergarten, began the work of aligning curriculum to state standards, and led the team that won the five-year, $15-million dollar National Science Foundation grant credited for some recent improvements in math and science scores.

In 1995, Dr. Harris was named to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Public Instruction/Chief Program Officer for the Ohio Department of Education. Her primary focus was the oversight of instructional programs for the state, managing a staff of 287 and administering a major portion of the department�s budget. In particular she provided leadership for the development of new teacher education and licensure standards for the state of Ohio, which were implemented in 1998.

Dr. Harris left the Department of Education in 1998 to complete her doctorate. Following the completion of her doctorate, Dr. Harris returned to Columbus Public Schools to work with two programs � the Urban Academy for Professional Development and School Renewal and Project GRAD. In August 2000, she accepted the position of Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations where she was responsible for the departments of Administrative Services, Customer Relations, Pupil Services, Management Information Services, Personnel Services, and Safety and Security.

In 1986 and 1989, Dr. Harris was presented the Ingram Award for outstanding leadership as a principal. In 1991, she was honored by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement. She has also served as a member of the Netcare Board of Trustees, on the WAIT board and as a member of the COSI education committee. Currently, Dr. Harris is a Sunday school teacher and a Trustee at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. She is married to Stanley E. Harris, vice president, National City Bank. Together they have one son, Wade Thomas Harris, who is a senior honor student at Howard University.