Biography - Dr. Zelema Harris
Dr. Zelema Harris became Interim Chancellor of Pima Community College on April 15, 2013.
The PCC Governing Board voted unanimously on April 2 to appoint her to the position while the College conducts a national search for a permanent Chancellor.
Zelema Harris, Ed.D., served as the Chancellor of St. Louis Community College (STLCC) from 2007 - 2011. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Harris also served as the President of Parkland College in Champaign, III and as the President of Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Mo.
Dr. Harris led the STLCC district in developing programs to serve a local population of nearly 2.5 million. The District is the largest community college system in Missouri and second only in size to the University of Missouri system. Its budget is approximately $154.9 million and employs more than 3,000.
Dr. Harris served as Parkland College president for 16 years. While at Parkland, she established an award-winning faculty development center; led the college in receiving national and state awards in college planning processes; and directed the college in achieving distinction as a top provider of online education in Illinois.
Dr. Harris previously served as president of Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Mo., which is part of the Metropolitan Community College system.
Dr. Harris served on the boards of directors for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, Focus St. Louis, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, the St. Louis Coalition for Information & Communication Technology, The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Downtown Partnership, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Dr. Harris has received many awards and honors, including the Athena Award for Outstanding Business/Professional Woman from the Champaign County Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the International Leadership Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development at the University of Texas at Austin, the Most Valuable Citizen Award from the Champaign County Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the AACC's Leadership Award, President of the Year from the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, and CEO of the Year from the Association of Community College Trustees. In 2008, she was named a YWCA of St. Louis Leader of Distinction, and was selected as one of the St. Louis Business Journal's Most Influential Women in Business, Most Influential St. Louisans and Most Influential Minorities in Business.
Dr. Harris earned her master of science and doctorate of education degrees from the University of Kansas. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Prairie View (Tex.) A&M University. She has three grown children and is a resident of Decatur, Ill.