Thomas Harris

Thomas Harris has more than 14 years of experience working in collegiate athletics. Harris serves as The University of Arizona’s Senior Associate Athletics Director for Belonging and Engagement. In this role, Harris leads the development and implementation of departmental diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging strategies that promote anti-racism, inclusive recruitment and hiring practices, employee engagement and retention, and high-quality leadership and professional development. Harris also Chairs the department’s Inclusive Excellence Council (IEC), which focuses on cultural competency training for staff and developing DEI strategies for the Athletics Strategic Plan.
 
Harris’ comprehensive efforts have resulted in multiple accolades, including Arizona Athletics receiving an Honorable Mention for the 2021 NCAA/MOAA Award for Diversity. Harris was also selected as the 2021 MOAA Charlie Whitcomb Service Award recipient. This national award recognizes and celebrates individuals fostering diversity and inclusion within intercollegiate athletics.
 
Besides his professional role, Harris serves on the DIECE Athletics Executive Board. This professional organization offers consulting services to DEI professionals in sports and provides recommendations for successfully building a culture of inclusive excellence.
 
Harris’ passion for diversity and inclusion was sparked as a first-generation college student at Western Kentucky University (WKU), serving as the President of the Black Student Alliance, an organization he later advised as a staff member. As a graduate student at WKU, Harris received the President’s Award for Diversity, recognizing a clear demonstration of leadership and achievement in promoting diversity at WKU and in the community.
 
Prior to his current role, Harris spent three years in UA’s Athletics Marketing & Fan Engagement department and more than eight years at WKU leading fan engagement and game day presentation.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Harris received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a master’s degree in Recreation and Sports Administration. He now resides in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, Dr. Alex Robie Harris, an Arizona alumni and fellow sports fanatic.