Rénard Harris
Host, "Teachable Moments"Rénard Harris is an Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business at the College of Charleston (2022-present). He teaches courses in Leadership and courses in Managing Diversity. His leadership course focuses on the dynamics of effective leadership, positive influence, and clear vision. His Managing Diversity course focuses on exploring culture, experiences, and identity as asset and resource of those less heard and less seen.
Prior to teaching in the School of Business he was the Vice President of Access and Inclusion and the Chief Diversity Officer at the college (2016-2022). His primary responsibilities were to raise the visibility of the institution’s diversity efforts by building collaborative relationships, unifying the campus by educating and highlighting the essence and strengths of various identities, guiding diversity programs and workshops, and creating initiatives that improve the success of underserved students.
Harris has been at the College of Charleston since the fall of 2005. He began as a faculty member and was promoted to associate professor of teacher education in 2013.
Since his time at the College of Charleston and several years prior, he has explored multicultural education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, storytelling, the
Blues as story, cultural relevance, and leadership. He is often called upon to serve as a keynote speaker, diversity facilitator and consultant for businesses and educational institutions.
Harris holds an Ed.D. in teacher education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., where he completed his dissertation entitled An Interpretive Analysis of the Formative Period of Journal Publications Related to Multicultural Education, 1977–1987, under the guidance of chair Thomas Turner. He completed an M.S. in curriculum and instruction at the University of Tennessee and taught for five years at Alcoa Middle School in Alcoa, Tennessee.
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From a young age, boys are taught to silence their feelings. Many grow up hearing “boys don’t cry." Girls are more likely to receive nurturing, emotional language, while boys receive messages of competition and stoicism. -
Many institutions are using AI-powered chatbots to provide 24/7 access to campus life resources. At the College of Charleston, Clyde the Chatbot is leading the way—checking in with students, answering questions, and offering support.
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With adolescent mental health challenges on the rise, empathy isn’t just important—it’s essential. Empathy, or putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, helps students feel seen, connected, and supported.
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For decades, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has been viewed through a male lens, leading to underdiagnoses in females. Experts say females with ADHD struggle with inattention, disorganization, and emotional sensitivity—symptoms that are easier to overlook.
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High school is more than a steppingstone to college—it’s a critical time for students to discover who they are and what they care about. But traditional models often miss the mark, focusing more on test scores and rigid curricula.
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Being a good digital citizen is more than just knowing how to use technology—it’s about using it wisely, responsibly, and thoughtfully. For students and parents, that means pausing before posting and recognizing the potential impact of the content.
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The longer days of summer are here, which means more time to be active outdoors. However, record-breaking temperatures can lead to illnesses like heat stroke and exhaustion.
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This summer, many students are spending their days at the beach instead of the classroom. While soaking up the sun can boost our vitamin D, exposure to ultraviolet light can damage our skin.
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Experts say "summer brain drain" for students can be avoided with a simple tech detox.
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Summer often leads to increased screen time for kids. With school out, and less daily structure, many kids have more free time.
