President David Harrison Biography
President David Harrison leads one of the largest, most comprehensive, and most diverse colleges in Ohio, serving more than 40,000 students annually. Since joining Columbus State Community College in 2010, Dr. Harrison has focused on three strategic priorities: student success, workforce development and community impact.
Under Dr. Harrison’s leadership, Columbus State has won national recognition for its focus on equitable student success and innovative public-private partnerships. In 2019, Columbus State received the Leah Meyer Austin Award from the national organization Achieving the Dream, recognizing significant advancements in student success. Since 2010, Columbus State has more than tripled its graduation rate and has significantly improved opportunities for low-income students and students of color.
Columbus State has developed deep partnerships with k-12 school systems, universities and employers throughout the region to expand access to higher education, enhance student success, and address workforce needs. The college has become a proving ground for public-private partnerships, bringing together employers; social service groups; philanthropic organizations; and local, state, and federal agencies to help students, families and communities.
Among other accomplishments, Dr. Harrison and his leadership team have:
- Launched the Columbus Promise, a public-private partnership that enables Columbus City Schools students to attend Columbus State tuition-free;
- Created innovative 2+2 and 3+1 pathways to expand access to affordable bachelor’s degrees;
- Expanded postsecondary opportunities for high school students, enabling the college to serve more than 8,000 high school students annually;
- Developed creative partnerships with employers to address regional workforce needs; and
- Won approval from Franklin County voters for a $300 million bond issue to improve and enhance Columbus State classrooms, laboratories, and technology.
Prior to joining Columbus State, Dr. Harrison served in leadership roles at the University of Central Florida, Seminole State College, and Sinclair Community College. He also served as a consulting manager with Accenture. He earned a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton. He and his wife, Tracy, have three grown children: Julie, Mark, and Sam.