This is the second in a three-part series, spotlighting the fellows in this year’s Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership. The Institute is committed to preparing Black senior-level community college executives for positions as chief executive officers. For more information, click here.
Calvin Harris Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
Baltimore City Community College
As an award-winning financial expert, Calvin Harris Jr. has served in a variety of not-for-profit organizations. Before starting as the CFO of Baltimore City Community College in 2014, he held similar positions at consulting firms and biotechnology nonprofits. However, he says the college setting has been the most rewarding arena in which to apply his skills.
“The ability to see literally walking around you the people that you’re helping, it’s something you can only get in higher education,” Harris says.
Coming from a financial background, Harris contributes a different perspective in the endeavor toward student success. His oversight of departments like student accounting, payroll and human resources allows him to support students in ways that go beyond the classroom. One of his efforts resulted in securing more parking for the students, which is a concern for a campus located in an urban setting. That said, this type of work usually happens behind the scenes.
