The Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents met April 26 in a special board meeting at NOC Tonkawa. On the agenda was an Executive Session for “Review and discussion in open session and possible action to enter into executive session pursuant to 25 O.S.2011, §307(B)(1) to interview and discuss the employment, hiring, or appointment (including compensation) of candidates Dr. Clark Harris, Dr. Wayne McMillin, and Dr. Herbert Riedel for the position of President for Northern Oklahoma College.”
After a four-hour Executive Session and upon re-entering Open Session, the Board had opportunity for “discussion and possible vote on matters discussed in Executive Session, including the possible hiring or appointment (including compensation), or continued search, for the position of President for Northern Oklahoma College.”
The NOC Board of Regents Chair Jodi Cline delivered the following statement, “I am pleased to announce that the NOC Board of Regents has asked Dr. Clark Harris to assume the position of President of Northern Oklahoma College, pending final documents. He is expected to officially take over the role of president at the beginning of NOC’s next fiscal year beginning July 1. We welcome Dr. Harris’ leadership as we enter the next chapter of Northern Oklahoma College’s history. He brings strong leadership skills and years of experience that will help Northern position itself for the future.”
According to Regent and Selection Committee Chair Jodi Cline, Dr. Harris was chosen from a national pool of highly qualified candidates.
“I would like to extend my appreciation to the entire College community for your participation and feedback at the recent presidential town hall meetings,” Cline added. “Everyone’s input was reviewed and greatly valued by the Board. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Presidential Search Committee for their time, dedication, and thoughtful work on behalf of Northern Oklahoma College.”
Dr. Harris stated, “It is a great honor to be selected to serve as the next president of Northern Oklahoma College. I am looking forward to the opportunity to lead the College and to expand on the good work being done on the unique campuses. It will be a privilege to work with the great people of Northern Oklahoma College and community members as we look to the future and work toward transforming students’ lives and enriching our communities.”
Dr. Clark Harris has been an educator for more than 30 years, bringing a passion and commitment for student success. His goal is to provide students life-changing skills for dynamic careers and life. He has been dedicated to fulfilling the community college mission, while serving as a community college administrator for 16 years. He believes community colleges should be integral to the community, creating high demand, high wage career and technical programs; well-articulated transfer programs; adult education and workforce training programs that serve regional businesses; and service to our diverse communities. He attended Johnson County Community College, transferring to Kansas State University, earning his B.S. in Agricultural Education and an M.S. in Adult and Occupational Education. He earned a Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the University of Missouri.
He brings an inspiring, innovative, entrepreneurial spirit, with an open, inclusive leadership style. Dr. Harris has extensive experience building partnerships with K-12 schools, higher education and industry partners. He has online learning expertise, in-depth knowledge of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and vast experience in identifying and developing nimble programs that will address the ever-evolving business and industry needs.
Dr. Harris is employed at Laramie County Community College (LCCC), where he has served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and currently serves as Special Assistant to the President, leading the Albany County Campus (ACC). At the ACC he is responsible for student services, academics, the campus budget and all aspects of operation. His responsibility at LCCC has also included leadership for Schools of Arts & Humanities; Business, Agriculture & Technical Studies; Health Science & Wellness; and Math & Sciences. He has had responsibility for Adult Education, Community Education, Outreach to off-campus sites, and Workforce & Professional Development. Other departments in his charge included the Center for Excellence in Teaching, High School Programs, the Library, Learning Commons and the Testing Center.
LCCC was selected as one of 13 colleges to participate in the American Association of Community Colleges Guided Pathways 2.0 project to enhance enrollment, retention and student success. Dr. Harris provided leadership as co-chair of the initiative making extensive changes across academic and student service functions, including reorganizing advising, setting instructional excellence standards, overhauling general education, developing structured degree program curriculum maps, updating all course & program competencies, developing co-requisite developmental math & English courses, streamlining the college admissions process, and developing seven overarching career pathways to help students focus.
Dr. Harris was a champion for equity, as he served as Dean of Technology at Mott Community College, in Flint Michigan. In 2011, the Aspen Institute ranked Mott as one of America’s “Top Ten” community colleges. The Technology Division was a robust, inclusive, positive, entrepreneurial division that included computer information and all of the industrial & trades programs. Dr. Harris taught 15+ years in high school, community college and university. He was also executive director at an award-winning national curriculum center, located in Stillwater, OK. A few of his state and national leadership positions include president of Michigan Occupational Deans Administrative Council (including 28 community colleges, a tribal college and a state university), executive committee member of the WICHE Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders, and member of the Kansas FFA Executive Committee. He has extensive marketing and public relations experience, and he has presented over 100 significant national, regional and state conference presentations.
Dr. Harris and his wife Paula, a nurse educator, are very family oriented with three adult sons. He values the importance of community and has provided service to the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance Board, Boy Scouts of America, Rotary International, church, youth and community organizations.