OMSS Logo

Thomas Harris

Title: Assistant Director
Email: harris.thom@uwlax.edu
Office: 243 Graff Main Hall
Phone: (608) 785-8225
Fax: (608) 785-8837

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Student Services; Leadership Development Coordinator; Staff Development & Training; Pre-advising and Academic Development Counseling; Retention Support Programs; Asian Student Organization Advisor; Special Projects

Thomas has been with Multicultural Student Services since November 2003.  Using a leadership development focus, Thomas counsels, advises, and provides academic, personal, social, and cultural support to students of color including green card United States citizens and approximately 25 Counselor Choice Annual Award recipients.  He advises leadership programs, coordinates trips organized and tailored for college students, and oversees and facilitates the President’s Roundtable for seven Multicultural Student Organizations as well as bi-annual training.  Currently serves on a number of UW-L committees and responsible for various special projects.
From August 1993 – June 2001, Thomas worked as Student Education & Resource Liaison, Office of Residence Life, UW – La Crosse. He was one of six central staff members whose main responsibility was to coordinate the leadership development program for approximately 2900 students living in the residence halls, including coordinating Hall Government Executive Training as well as Fall and Spring Leadership Workshops.  He advised the Residence Hall Association Council, National Residence Hall Honorary, and students in preparation for and attendance at state, regional, and national leadership conferences plus advising students organizing and hosting conferences. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Founder, 7 Rivers Region Diversity Collaboration Initiative, 2006
Founder, UW-L Commitment to Diversity Award, 2004
Co-founder, La Crosse Chapter of the NAACP, 2005
The “Thomas Harris Student Involvement Award Scholarship” was established by UW-L students to annually recognize outstanding student dedication and commitment to residence halls and Residence Life excellence, 2001
The “Wisconsin United Residence Hall Association (WURHA) Advisor of the Year” was renamed by Wisconsin student leaders the “Thomas Harris Advisor of the Year Award,” 2000
Coulee Region Hero – People Who Make a Difference, 2000
WURHA Large School Advisor of the Year Awards, 1995 & 1999

Leadership, Collaboration, Multicultural Education, Social Justice, Diversity, and Systems of Privilege are all special interest areas.

Thomas Harris holds a Master' Science in Education: College Student Personnel, from UW – La Crosse, May 2001 and a Bachelor of Science: Political Science/Public Administration & Policy Analysis, UW-Stevens Point, May 1988
I am a pool shooter, shirt collector, and known for barbequing some very tasty grilled chicken.  Fishing, camping, traveling, and enjoying good music are other activities that I enjoy.