Kristen Harris

About Kristen Harris

20 years of management experience directing youth programs focusing in college access, academic enrichment and recreation opportunities available to middle, high and college students.• Proactive team leader with direct experience in capacity building, driving performance and program improvement by spearheading initiatives to enhance service delivery, exceeding performance outcome expectations. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, dedicated to embracing teams with diverse experiences• Proven ability to develop a clear vision, execute and evaluate service deliverables utilizing data driven feedback from participants and staff.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   NYC Public Schools

   Nov 2021 — Present

   Lead citywide college and career planning initiatives for New York City Public Schools, aligned with the vision of NYCPS.•Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to ensure high school students graduate with a robust career launch plan.•Direct multiple teams, including senior directors and managers, to build system-wide capacity for high-quality college and career planning.•Manage relationships with key stakeholders such as the Mayor’s Office, CUNY/SUNY, and private foundations to support college and career pathways.•Oversee an over $60 million budget, managing both public and private funding to support programs like Learning to Work and College and Career Bridge for All.•Establish metrics and evaluation processes to inform policy and structures for counseling, advising, and workforce readiness initiatives.•Lead internal and external communication strategies and represent the NYCPS in intergovernmental and high-profile external engagements.•Integrate research and pilot program outcomes to enhance college and career counseling initiatives continuously.

Education

• Lehman College

  Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

  2018 — 2019

• University of Hartford

  BA, Communications, Concentration in Public Relations

  1998 — 2002

Skills

• Curriculum Development
• Event Planning
• Higher Education Administration
• Nonprofits
• Non-Profit Administration
• Educational Leadership
• Higher Education
• Program Evaluation
• Workshop Development
• Student Financial Aid
• Student Development
• Organizational Development
• Workshop Facilitation
• Admissions Counseling
• Youth Development
• Student Engagement
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Career Counseling
• Tutoring
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Program Management
• Career Development
• Research
• Volunteer Management
• College Access
• Student Affairs
• Strategic Partnerships
• Academic Advising
• Workshops
• Strategic Planning
• Board Development
• Teaching
• Admissions
• Coaching
• Student Counseling
• Staff Development
• Fundraising
• Community Engagement