Dr. Kenneth Harris Jr. Dr. Kenneth Harris Jr., Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) alumnus and longtime professor, was recently recognized by The Milwaukee Times for his outstanding public service.
Harris’ Public Service Award is part of the 31st Annual Black Excellence Awards, a program started in 1985 by The Milwaukee Times that seeks to honor local men and women who have influenced their communities personally or professionally without due credit. The awards encompass various areas including social services, education, volunteerism, and public service.
“This is a recognition of Dr. Harris’ significant accomplishments as a true servant leader in the community and with the Milwaukee Police Department,” said Dr. Daniel Sem, dean of Concordia’s School of Business Administration. “Dr. Harris has the heart of a servant leader, and embodies our mission at Concordia, where he humbly built nationally recognized programs in Organizational Leadership & Administration as well as Justice and Public Policy within the School of Business.”
Harris graduated from CUW in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Management of Criminal Justice, and then stayed at the University to work towards an M.B.A. in Finance and Risk Management. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Illinois State University and a doctorate in Leadership Studies from Marian University.
Since 2002, Harris has been teaching justice and public policy classes at CUW and currently serves as the program chair, in addition to holding the position of director of Concordia’s Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Administration program. For the past 23 years, Harris has also worked for the Milwaukee Police Department where he currently serves as a police lieutenant.
In addition to his role at the University and in the police force, Harris is an active volunteer in the Milwaukee area. He is the district chairman for the Heart of Milwaukee District Leadership Team where he offers support to the Boy Scouts of America Three Harbors Council. He also serves as the chief executive of the Greater Milwaukee chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., an international mentoring organization that looks to enhance educational and economic opportunities for African Americans and improve the quality of life in communities. His goal is to one day start a collegiate chapter of the organization at CUW.
“If there is anything I enjoy about Concordia it’s their continuing strive towards inclusion,” said Harris, stating this partnership would give college students the opportunity to be mentors and Milwaukee area kids the chance to learn about Concordia. “It will make the University a leader in the Christian community.”
Harris will receive the award on Feb. 19 at the Italian Conference Center in Milwaukee. For more information on the awards ceremony, click here.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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