Interim Harris Named Permanent CEO of Capital Community College
G. Duncan Harris, Ed.D, has been named the permanent chief executive officer of Capital Community College.
Dr. Harris is recognized nationally as an expert in student affairs and community college administration. In his interim roll as CEO, he led strategic reorganization, fundraising and enrollment-management efforts over the past two years. Harris replaced Dr. Wilfredo Nieves, Capital’s fifth president, in July 2018.
The May 14 announcement by the state Board of Regents for Higher Education also highlighted several other leadership appointments as part of a consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. The single accredited institution will now be known as Connecticut State Community College, to take effect 2023.
“I’m honored that the Board of Regents has decided to give me the opportunity to continue the student success and equity work we have underway at the college,’’ Harris said. “During my time as ‘interim’, I’ve developed deep relationships with the faculty, staff and community stakeholders committed to supporting Capital students.”
Harris has served 24 years in the Connecticut community college system, including 14 years of administrative and cabinet-level experience.
Higher education is the “family business” and Harris’ father, Dr. George Harris, is a former president of Essex County College and Gateway Technical Community College. Before his initial appointment at CCC, Harris served as the dean of student affairs at Manchester Community College, where he worked from 2009 to 2018 in a variety of roles.
His extensive civic and community leadership includes serving on the boards of the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Foodshare, Capital Workforce Partners and Windsor Federal Savings, among others.
Harris also has served on several national boards, including the American Association of Community Colleges, Commission on Students Success and was a past president of the National Council on Black American Affairs.
In 2014, Harris launched and was founding director of the Kresge Foundation-funded Connecticut State Colleges and University’s Student Success Center.
He and his family reside in Windsor where they have lived for the past 18 years.
About Capital Community College
Capital Community College is an urban, two-year institution enrolling more than 3,000 students in Connecticut’s capital city. The college offers 60 academic programs in accredited studies preparing students for associate degrees, certificates and transfer, while its non-credit offerings prepare students for the immediate needs of the Connecticut workforce. Capital, one of New England’s most diverse campuses, was the first college in Connecticut to be designated an Hispanic-Serving Institution. The Capital Community College experience revolves around its historic eleven-story, Art Deco building in the heart of downtown Hartford, which offers unprecedented access to the city’s cultural and employment offerings.
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