Dr. Dianne Harrison assumed the presidency at California State University, Monterey Bay in June 2006.
During a 30-year career at Florida State University in Tallahassee, she served in various capacities starting as a faculty member, dean of social work, associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of graduate studies and vice president for academic quality and external programs.
She holds a Ph.D. in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s of social work and a bachelor’s in American Studies, both from the University of Alabama. Her academic and research areas of expertise include HIV prevention among women and minority populations and higher education issues related to social work and university leadership. A prolific researcher and writer, Dr. Harrison has published dozens of articles and two books.
She has served on the boards and committees of over 60 national, state, and local organizations and community projects. Dr. Harrison currently serves as a board member of the Northern California Public Broadcasting, the National Steinbeck Center, MoreHealth of Monterey County, and the United Way of Monterey County. She co-chairs, with the Chancellor at UCSC, the Monterey Bay Educational Consortium (MBEC) and is a leader in education with the Monterey County Business Council. Dr. Harrison was a member of the inaugural class of community leaders in “AgKnowledge” sponsored by Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. She serves on the educational leadership boards of the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute, the CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology (COAST), and the California State University Agricultural Research Initiative (ARI). She is a member of the Women’s Commission of the American Council on Education and the Committee on International Education and Professional Development Committee of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She is the recipient of “A Tree of Life Award” from the Parent Institute for Quality Education for her contributions to the education of all children and was inducted into the Monterey Business Hall of Fame by the Junior Achievement of Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay.
Dr. Harrison and her husband John Wujack live on campus. Dr. Harrison has two children. She grew up in Mobile, Alabama and Short Hills, New Jersey.