BSU Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of a new Vice President for Research & Innovation, Dr. Yvonne Harris, effective July 9, 2025.

A thoughtful and thorough search process was carried out to attract highly qualified candidates. I extend my sincere thanks to the search committee chair, committee members and all who contributed by providing valuable feedback during the candidate evaluations. I also want to acknowledge and thank our shared governance leaders for nominating representatives from their groups to serve on this important committee.

Dr. Harris will report to me and oversee the new Division of Research & Innovation. The departments that will fall under the division include the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), Grants Accounting, and Strategic Engagement.

She will oversee annual research expenditures of more than $20 million, working collaboratively within a shared governance framework to set priorities for institutional growth and investment in research and scholarship and oversee policies, practices and infrastructure. Her role will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice and leverage professional authority and influence to provide opportunities related to research, scholarship and creative artistry. She will advance Bowie State’s commitment to excellence and set the standard to become a Carnegie R2 research-intensive institution supporting teaching, research and service.

Dr. Harris is a highly accomplished academic and research leader with a career spanning a range of institutions, from two-year colleges to R1 universities. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology and has held leadership roles at institutions including Truman College, Harper College, Chicago State University, James Madison University, California State University–Sacramento, and Northern Illinois University. Her work has consistently focused on expanding research capacity, supporting faculty and student scholarship, and fostering partnerships with federal, state, and industry entities to promote innovation and economic development through higher education.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Harris to our Bulldog family.

Sincerely,

Aminta H. Breaux

President