Harris started her college education as a telecommunications major. However, after finding that she did not do well in front of the camera, she decided to change her major. “I took psychology classes, but they focused too much on the individual. I took sociology classes, but there was too much focus on society. I took a social work class and found that it studies the intersection between psychology and sociology and how they impact each other, and that is what I like.” Harris has worked in family therapy, residential treatment for adolescents, and with battered and homeless women. In 2004, she was awarded a grant from the National Institute on Aging Small Research Grant Program for the HIV project and the Illinois State University New Faculty Initiative Grant for a racial disparity project. The Illinois State Court Improvement Program also awarded her funding for a proposal to develop a family drug court tailored to the needs of McLean County.

With all of this extensive research and work experience in social work, Harris is able to provide grounded, realistic examples to her students. One of Harris’ goals in the classroom is to teach her students to look at things from a “macro” point of view. “I love having students tell me I have influenced their perspective,” said Harris. “Also, just interacting with students is a lot of fun. They motivate me to keep learning so that I will be able to pass that knowledge on.” Harris is also interested in implementing more problem-based learning into the classroom, allowing the students to discuss and “solve” a case scenario while researching alternate ways to provide a solution.

Outside of the academic world, Harris has a Shih Tzu named Robben that she enjoys taking on walks. “I named him after Robben Island in South Africa where Nelson Mandela was held for over 20 years,” she said. Harris also enjoys knitting, crocheting, and reading various types of fiction that she finds on the new bookshelf at the library.

Harris earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Coe College, an MSW from the University of Iowa, and a BSW from Iowa State University. Before coming to Illinois State’s School of Social Work in 2003, she taught at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Georgia.