Andrew Harris appointed dean of SF State's College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Andrew Harris has been appointed dean of SF State's College of Liberal & Creative Arts.

Andrew Harris has been appointed dean of San Francisco State University's College of Liberal & Creative Arts, the University announced today. His appointment is effective July 12, 2016. He succeeds Paul Sherwin, who retired in June 2014. Daniel Bernardi, formerly the chair of the Department of Cinema, has served as interim dean since Sherwin's retirement.

Harris will oversee all academic, financial and administrative functions of the college, which has one of the largest and most comprehensive academic programs devoted to the humanities, social sciences and creative arts in Northern California.

"Dr. Harris' background uniquely qualifies him for this position," said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sue V. Rosser. "He has a solid foundation and proven success in academic leadership, strategic planning and fiscal operations, and possesses the key management skills that are essential in leading the University's
largest college."

Since 2012, Harris has been the dean of Arts and Humanities at Keene State College in New Hampshire, overseeing 12 academic departments, a performing arts center, the college art gallery and the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. 

Between 1999 and 2012, Harris served in various academic and administrative positions at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, including associate provost, executive assistant to the president and faculty member in the history department. While a faculty member at Bridgewater, he served as honors director and as a founding co-coordinator of the university's undergraduate research program. He has co-authored successful institutional grants in support of faculty development and promoting student success for underserved populations. Harris was also an American Council on Education Fellow at the University of Rhode Island.

He is the author of "Policing the City: Crime and Legal Authority in London, 1780-1840" and the co-author of "Empire, State and Society: Britain since 1830."

"This is an extraordinary institution, and the mission of access, diversity, social justice and community engagement makes the opportunity here stunning for students and for all of us privileged to work here," Harris said. "To do good work in the College of Liberal and Creative Arts, to live our vision as the college of ideas, is to empower students to realize the radical promise of public higher education. I am inspired and humbled by this opportunity."

Harris received a bachelor's degree in history from Pomona College. He earned both a master's degree and a Ph.D. in history from Stanford University.