After 16 years serving the university community as a professor and then as a graduate program director, Amy Harris recently stepped into the role of associate dean of the College of Graduate Studies. 

“I loved being a professor and graduate program director,” Harris said. “The latter is really where my passion for graduate studies bloomed. When this opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to make a broader impact on the MTSU community.”

David Butler, dean of the college, said Harris’ history with the graduate school made her a great addition.

“She has worked with the college for over a decade in many roles as a faculty member and graduate program director of the Master of Science in Information Systems as well as being a faculty fellow in the college in 2013,” Butler said. “These experiences with the college made her a great choice as associate dean. As expected, her performance in this role has been seamless, and she has earned high marks from the constituencies she has worked with since taking on the new role.”

Originally from Potts Camp, Mississippi, Harris has cultivated an award-winning career in business intelligence and analytics, including winning the Greater Nashville Technology Council’s Champion of the Year Award in 2019 and Diversity and Inclusion Advocate of the Year Award in 2021. She was also named to the Nashville Post’s “In Charge” list for technology in 2022 and 2023.

Along with her professional expertise, Harris brings a devotion to advocating for traditionally underrepresented groups in technology across the Middle Tennessee region, currently serving as the president of the Women in Technology of Tennessee organization, which promotes women in technology fields through education, networking, scholarships and community outreach opportunities. 

Harris said she wants to use her years of data and analytics experience to help the college grow. 

“My goals for graduate studies are to grow enrollment, grow the number of programs we offer and continue to provide excellent service to everyone involved with graduate education at MTSU,” she said. 

Harris also hopes that current and prospective students see the college as a resource to help guide them through their graduate school experience. 

“We are here to help students further their education, advance their careers and realize their full potential,” Harris said. “We are also here to provide support and resources to the MTSU faculty and staff involved in graduate education.”

To learn more about the opportunities at the College of Graduate Studies, visit its website at https://www.mtsu.edu/graduate/. 

— Stephanie Wagner (Stephanie.Wagner@mtsu.edu)