Dr. Shari Brooks-Harrison
Dr. Shari Brooks-Harrison is a transformational higher-education leader, scholar-practitioner, and student success strategist whose work centers on equity, belonging, and holistic student development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With over a decade of experience in academic advising, first-year experience programming, orientation leadership, and digital learning design, Dr. Brooks-Harrison has dedicated her career to dismantling barriers to retention, persistence, and graduation for underserved student populations.
She earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership & Innovation with a concentration in Digital Instruction and Distance Learning from St. Thomas University. Her doctoral research examined the lived experiences of first-year HBCU students navigating socioeconomic and academic challenges, contributing actionable insights into institutional practices that strengthen student engagement, resilience, and completion outcomes.
Dr. Brooks-Harrison serves in multiple leadership roles at Dillard University in New Orleans, where she is widely recognized for her visionary programming and campus-wide impact. Her work spans Academic Advising, New Student Orientation, First-Year Experience instruction, Care Team leadership, and Tri-Alpha Honor Society advisement. She is the architect behind several signature initiatives, including the Mind, Self, Spirit Path, Boots on the Ground Orientation, and Bleuprint Orientation Framework, all designed to cultivate belonging, purpose, and academic momentum for new and continuing students.
A passionate educator and instructional designer, Dr. Brooks-Harrison also teaches dual-enrollment English courses, develops high-impact learning modules, and integrates innovative digital tools to enhance access and engagement. Her professional interests include retention strategy, culturally responsive pedagogy, trauma-informed student support, advising systems design, and institutional effectiveness.
Dr. Brooks-Harrison is known for her collaborative leadership style, data-informed decision-making, and unwavering commitment to student empowerment. Her mission is to build systems that do more than serve students, systems that see, support, and sustain them through graduation and beyond.
• University of Mississippi-Bachelor of Arts in English
• The University of West Alabama - Master of Arts
• St. Thomas University Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership & Innovation with a concentration in Digital Instruction and Distance Learning
• NASPA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God, my mother, and an unwavering commitment to students who are often overlooked by traditional higher education systems.
My faith anchors my purpose and reminds me that my work is not simply a profession; it is a calling. It gives me clarity, resilience, and the courage to lead with compassion, integrity, and conviction, even in challenging seasons.
My mother instilled in me discipline, perseverance, and the belief that education is both a responsibility and a pathway to transformation. Her example shaped my work ethic, my leadership style, and my insistence on excellence, for myself and for the students I serve.
My work is also grounded in lived experience and intentional consistency. I build programs not just from theory, but from listening to students, understanding their realities, and responding with systems that sustain them. I believe that access without support is not equity, and my mission is to ensure students are not only admitted but affirmed, equipped, and empowered to graduate and lead.
Ultimately, I measure success not by titles, but by students who stay, who finish, and who believe they belong.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mother, Elmare Brooks. During one of the most challenging periods of my life, as I was healing from a severe injury, her unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me never wavered. She reminded me to persevere, trust the process, and remain focused on my purpose. Her strength and constant reassurance have been a guiding force in my career, and she continues to be my greatest support system and source of inspiration.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to stand firm in who you are and protect your peace. Do not shrink yourself to fit into spaces that were not designed with you in mind. Trust your voice, advocate for yourself, and remain confident in your abilities while setting healthy boundaries. Self-assurance and self-protection are essential—not only for longevity in this field, but for leading with authenticity and purpose.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are strong morals and integrity—especially doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. I strive to lead with honesty, accountability, and purpose, ensuring that my actions reflect my values in every space I occupy. These principles guide how I serve others, make decisions, and show up with authenticity and respect each day.