Dr. Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in mathematics education from City College of New York, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The Sage Colleges. One of his proudest achievements happened early in his career when he led his seventh-grade math class to 100% proficiency in both 2008 and 2009.
As the principal at Detroit Enterprise Academy, one of Dr. Harrison’s favorite parts is his direct impact on student success. “I love finding solutions that truly make a difference,” he says. “Whether it’s supporting a teacher with something that improves how they conduct their class, guiding staff in their interactions with students and parents, or having parent conversations where students are held accountable for their actions.”
Dr. Harrison believes parental involvement is crucial for student success. “Research shows that when parents are involved, students perform better—no matter their zip code,” he explains. He works to connect with parents through events like basketball games, school shows, and academic support programs.
For Dr. Harrison, education goes beyond academics; it’s about preparing students for success in life. That’s why he is passionate about closing the wealth gap through both education and meaningful experiences. “A high-quality education gives students the tools they need to bridge those gaps in their future,” he says.
In terms of Moral Focus, Dr. Harrison relies on one virtue daily: wisdom. “Wisdom helps you manage all the other virtues,” he shares. “As a leader, you need a strong moral compass to make decisions. Knowing when to step in, when to lead by example, and when to have an authentic conversation requires wisdom.”
Outside of school, Dr. Harrison enjoys playing basketball with his son, researching financial markets, and planning for his work at the academy. His leadership philosophy is summed up in his favorite quote from William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Quick Facts:
- Dr. Harrison helped the Dartmouth Women’s Basketball team win two Ivy League Championships.
- He’s moderately fluent in Spanish.
- His favorite meal is salmon, broccoli, mashed potatoes, with cheesecake for dessert!
- Christmas is his favorite holiday.
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About Detroit Enterprise Academy
Detroit Enterprise Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Detroit, Michigan, serving students in young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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