Barb Harrison to retire after 31 years at OHIO

Barb Harrison, assistant director for neighborhood engagement and experiential studying, will retire in December after 31 years as a scholar affairs skilled at Ohio College.

In her time at OHIO, Harrison has served in numerous capacities together with positions in Residential Housing, the Campus Involvement Middle, and most not too long ago the Middle for Campus and Neighborhood Engagement and the Middle for Advising, Profession and Experiential Studying.

“Barb’s dedication to college students and the neighborhood is unmatched,” stated College Faculty Dean David Nguyen. “She has been a steadfast champion for college kids fostering their connections at OHIO and in the neighborhood. She can be deeply missed by all those that have interacted together with her.”

Harrison earned a bachelor’s diploma in telecommunications at Ohio College and a grasp’s diploma in increased schooling from New York College.

Whereas incomes her diploma and residing in residence life housing at NYU, she realized she was doing what she cherished and determined to pursue jobs in increased schooling. She had alternatives to work in increased schooling everywhere in the nation, however finally selected to return to OHIO.

For her first 5 years at OHIO, she served as a corridor director on South Inexperienced, the identical inexperienced the place she served as a resident assistant whereas incomes her undergraduate diploma. 

In 1996, Harrison was promoted to affiliate director of Residence Life, a place she held for 14 years earlier than transitioning to overseeing neighborhood engagement programming inside the Campus Involvement Middle. For the final a number of years she has supported neighborhood engagement and experiential studying ready housed collectively within the Middle for Campus and Neighborhood Engagement and the Middle for Advising, Profession, and Experiential Studying.

“I’ve had a very nice profession and I am actually happy with the place neighborhood engagement is at Ohio College,” Harrison stated.

Harrison stated she is going to miss the every day connections with the scholars she serves. Speaking to younger leaders provides her hope for the long run and retains her sharp. She appears to be like ahead to continued neighborhood engagement after her retirement. 

Locally, Harrison serves as board chair for UCM Middle for Religious Development and Social Justice and as vice chair for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens. She has been an lively member of the Ohio Faculty Scholar Personnel Affiliation and Ohio Campus Compact.

“The place that I’ve had in neighborhood engagement has positively been a rewarding a part of my profession, and it gave me a deeper understanding of the neighborhood,” she stated.

College Faculty and the Middle for Advising, Profession and Experiential Studying invite campus and neighborhood companions to hitch in celebrating Harrison and her contributions to OHIO and Athens at a reception Thursday, Dec. 8 from 3-5 p.m. in Baker College Middle’s 1804 Lounge. Please RSVP to acel@ohio.edu.