For Dr. David Harrison, President of Columbus State Community College, a career in higher education wasn’t initially his plan. After earning a degree in chemical engineering, he worked as a consulting manager for a global professional services company. However, it was his wife Tracy’s work as a special education teacher that inspired him to explore higher education, leading him to a position at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
“What she was doing sounded a lot more rewarding in terms of the impact she was having on people’s lives,” Dr. Harrison explained. “That started the conversation. One thing led to another, and that ultimately led me to Columbus State.”
Dr. Harrison—this year’s recipient of The Columbus Foundation’s The Spirit of Columbus® Award—has led Columbus State Community College since 2010. Under his stewardship, Columbus State has developed deep partnerships throughout central Ohio, working with public and private partners to address regional workforce challenges, expand access to higher education, and support students as they complete their degrees. During Dr. Harrison’s tenure, Columbus State has tripled its graduation rate, demonstrating his steadfast commitment to student success.
Among Dr. Harrison’s many accomplishments is the creation of the Columbus Promise, a program that provides Columbus City Schools graduates with the opportunity to attend Columbus State tuition-free. The program—which is a collaboration between the City of Columbus, Columbus City Schools, I Know I Can, and Columbus State—helps open doors to young people who might otherwise be unable to further their education due to financial or other barriers.
In a recent interview with The Columbus Foundation, Dr. Harrison reflected on the importance of bringing community partners together to address the region’s workforce needs and support students as they achieve their academic dreams.
Created in 2013 in honor of Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly around the world solo, The Spirit of Columbus® Award celebrates those in our community who exhibit bravery, determination, and boldness through their actions. Mock, a pilot and mother of three who lived in Bexley, took off from Port Columbus on March 19, 1964. After 29 days, 21 stops, and more than 23,000 miles, Mock safely landed her single-engine Cessna, named “Spirit of Columbus,” back in Columbus on April 17, 1964.