Derick Harris is a distinguished education administrator based in South King County, WA, with a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in education. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at Seattle Pacific University, Derick focuses on advancing Black student achievement in the Pacific Northwest.
Derick brings extensive experience and expertise in the education sector to his role at the Black Education Strategy Roundtable (BESR). His career includes leadership positions in both public and private secondary and postsecondary education, such as Dean of Culture, Director of Student Success, Associate Dean of Administration, and most recently, Director of Student Affairs at Howard University. Throughout his career, Derick has consistently enhanced student engagement, academic success, and delivered equitable student support for historically under-resourced and at-opportunity students.
As a self-identifying Black, able-bodied, cis-gendered man and first-generation college graduate, Derick is deeply committed to an anti-oppressive, antiracist, anti-ableist, culturally responsive approach to leadership. His mission is to champion the educational, professional, and social success of Black students by advocating for improved educational policies that empower all aspects of their identities and educational pursuits.
As the newly appointed Executive Director of the BESR in Washington, Derick eagerly anticipates advancing the organization’s mission in educational policy advocacy to achieve systemic educational justice.