Thomas Harris

Thomas Harris has done much to advance diversity on campus — and in the La Crosse community.

Harris came to campus as a hall director in 1990. After three years, he moved into the Residence Life Office to advise the Residence Hall Association Council and National Residence Hall Honorary, provide leadership development, and serve as a liaison with Multicultural Student Services. Retired Assistant Director of Residence Life Ruth Kurinsky says Harris quickly became highly
respected by students, colleagues, administrators and those in the community. “People actively sought opportunities to work with and learn from [him],” notes Kurinsky. Former La Crosse Mayor John Medinger, ’70 & ’72, calls Harris a friend, as well as a key
contributor to the betterment of the community. “He has influenced and made life better for countless individuals over a long period of time,”notes Medinger. “He continues to do that today.”

• Distinguished professional in the field of student affairs.
• Leader of efforts to pursue racial equality and social justice.
• Honored by the Wisconsin United Resident Hall Association, a student-run
leadership organization, when it renamed its top adviser award the “Thomas Harris
Advisor of the Year.”
• Founder and president of the 7 Rivers Region Diversity Collaboration Initiative Inc.
• Assistant Director of the UW-L Multicultural Student Services Office since 2003;
worked in the UW-L Residence Life Office from 1990-2001.
• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point, 1988; earned a
master’s in college student personnel from UW-L, 2001.