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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On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, the College of Charleston reflects on its place in history. Founded by leaders who helped shape the nation, the College has long been tied to the American experiment — a place where ideas, civic responsibility, and public service took root. -
AI tools are increasingly being used to read aloud to children, becoming part of daily routines at home and in school. For busy families, it’s easy to see the appeal, but experts warn that something gets lost when a machine takes over story time.
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Bullying is more common in elementary schools than parents might expect. About one in four children report being bullied at school, and the negative effects can follow them for years: shaping their confidence and social skills.
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Choosing a college used to mean campus tours, college fairs, and meeting with counselors. But a new report from the Education Advisory Board says that’s changing. Of the more than five thousand students surveyed, about half say they use AI to choose a college
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Many parents have mixed feelings when their child becomes a licensed driver. There’s the relief of spending less time behind the wheel, shuttling kids to school and practices, but there’s also the very real worry about safety.
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As we head into summer, commencement speakers across the country are sharing words of wisdom with high school and college students. The messages are universal: work hard, be kind, and don’t be afraid of failure.
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Sibling relationships are complicated. For many, it’s the only relationship that lasts from childhood to adulthood. Siblings are our first friends and rivals. Over time, they become mirrors, reminding us who we were and who we’ve become.
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A summer job gives kids more than spending money. It builds grit: showing up, taking feedback, and sticking with a task when it’s not easy.
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College is full of choices, and many students feel pressure to get it all right. Life Design, launched at the College of Charleston in 2025, uses design thinking to build confidence, clarity, and connection.
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South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states. A quarter of residents are 60 or older, and demand for in-home care is rising.
