Connie Harrison, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty,
Department of Leadership and Administration

 Hello everyone!  My name is Dr. Connie Harrison.

I have worked in the world of higher education for over 27 years.  During those 27 years I have held positions from instructor, Program Director, and Dean of Health Sciences to Vice President of Academics and finally as a Campus President.  My Ph.D. and Master’s degrees are in Education (Adult Learner Strategies and Higher Education practices and policies).  My research lies in brain-based learning strategies as it relates to aging and the adult learner.   My first love and passion are teaching and working with adult learners throughout the journey of learning.  

As campus president I oversaw a 5.5 million-dollar campus expansion that was part of a much larger economic development project.  As a team of professionals, we forged together a very successful private/public partnership that included the Culinary Institute, the Hilton Double Tree Hotel, Freighter’s Restaurant, and Blue Water Convention Center.  The structures are adjacent to each other and can be found along the shores of the St. Clair River at the foot of the Blue Water Bridge in St. Clair County, MI.

I believe it is important to give back to the community through which you live and work.  I have given back through a variety of ways, such as serving on boards or donating my time to worthy causes.  Some of the institutions that I have served and continue to serve on as a Trustee or Executive Board member are:  The Blue Water Chamber, Rotary, Community Foundation, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and St. Clair County Strategic Planning Committee/Leadership Council, St. Clair County Intermediate School District, and Macomb County Intermediate School District.

I live an hour northeast of the Detroit area and enjoy traveling with my husband and spending time with my 2 sons and their families.  

Education

  • Doctorate in Education/Adult Learner
    Capella University
  • Master's in Education/Adult Learner
    Central Michigan University
  • Degree in Human Resources and Healthcare Management
    Oakland University

Research Interests

Androgogy.  Aging and Cognition.  Influence of brain-based learning strategies on adult learners.

Program Affiliations

Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of a wide range of curriculum development and instructional methods that can improve teaching and learning in diverse educational settings.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Instructional Technology Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of methods of instructional technology for a wide range of educational settings. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Leadership Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education in Leadership program is designed to help you advance your leadership and research skills within your chosen discipline, whatever that may be. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Nursing Education Doctor of Education

The Doctorate in Nursing Education is for master’s degree nurses who want to help address the growing need for more RNs in today’s ever-expanding healthcare system. The American College of Education Ed.D in Nursing Education program is a fully online curriculum to prepare nurses as educators in either an academic or professional development setting. The program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to focus on the science of teaching and learning. Students will engage in scholarly research to support their dissertation while developing the competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, develop effective teaching strategies, use innovative technology to promote learning and much more as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Public Health Education Doctor of Education

The customizable Doctorate in Public Health Education is designed for healthcare educators and professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Second Language Instruction Doctor of Education

The Doctorate of Education in Second Language Instruction is designed for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction degree is for leaders who wish to advance their skills in curriculum development and instructional methods at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Instructional Technology Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Instructional Technology degree for leaders who want to advance their knowledge in instructional technology at the post-master’s level without needing to complete a dissertation. You will use theoretical foundations and current real-world practices to support the development of relevant technology that meet the needs of diverse learners.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Leadership Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Leadership degree is designed for leaders who wish to pursue advanced training at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. You will learn advanced leadership skills and competencies that will make you a more effective leader.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Nursing Education Educational Specialist

This program is perfect for nurses who want to advance their knowledge in nursing education beyond a master’s degree without completing a dissertation. It’s also stackable, if you decide after completing the Ed.S. program that you would like to continue and complete an Ed.D. program with a dissertation. This means that you can apply your Ed.S. credits to the Ed.D. in Nursing Education and complete that program in just 37 credits.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Public Health Education Educational Specialist

The Education Specialist in Public Health Education degree is designed for educators and healthcare professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Second Language Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Second Language Instruction is for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. Students will become more effective leaders in the field of Second Language Instruction through in-depth knowledge of research-based theories of language acquisition, assessment and instructional methods, strategies that promote cultural understanding, and current best practices to meet the needs of second language learners across diverse educational settings.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Advanced Studies Master of Education

This program is designed to help those wanting to teach at the secondary or college level meet education requirements. With more than 10 majors and more than five Focus of Study areas, it allows you to obtain 18-credit hours in the area of your choosing.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education

This program provides PreK-12 educators with a thorough background of current scientific research and pedagogy to help them learn how students learn. It is designed around the “learn, apply, assess” model to maximize gains in student performance.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration Master of Education

The Master of Education in Educational Business Administration program was designed for those who want to develop business and leadership skills in an educational setting. Framed by the standards from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), the program prepares strategic leaders for senior administrative positions in a variety of settings including public, charter, and private schools, as well as community colleges and other educational institutions or learning organizations.

35

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Technology Master of Education

The Master of Education in Educational Technology program prepares educators and other professionals to serve as technology leaders by teaching them to track trends and leverage technology as an effective tool to support learning and meet the needs of school staff, teachers, and students.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Elementary Education Master of Education

Specifically designed for elementary teachers who wish to advance their expertise and skills, the Master of Education in Elementary Education degree will build on their current understanding of young students’ learning needs and introduce them to new ways of incorporating technology into the classroom.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education Master of Education

The Master of Education in English as a Second Language and Bilingual program addresses the needs of teachers who are interested in working with linguistically and culturally diverse non-native English speakers. It is aligned to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: English as a New Language.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Health and Wellness Education Master of Education

The Master of Education in Health and Wellness degree will help you teach others about healthy life choices. You will learn about a wide range of health topics, and how to assess a community or an organization to determine health education priorities. Once you graduate, you will be prepared to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Higher Education Master of Education

Designed for individuals who wish to advance their skills or career in higher education, this program focuses on the ever-changing global, economic, and technological environments that impact the field of higher education.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology Master of Education

This degree is designed for students wishing to use technology to pursue a career in instructional design. You will learn how to evaluate, develop, and implement effective instructional design in a variety of educational settings.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum Master of Education

This program will help K-12 educators enhance their curriculum in order to improve student performance, close achievement gaps, and prepare students for the future workplace. You will learn how to utilize technology, collaborative environments, and other integrated resources to foster high levels of student achievement and performance.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Literacy Master of Education

This program is designed for educators who wish to bring systematic change to schools seeking to improve or enhance reading instruction. You will learn how to develop a supportive curriculum that helps students and teachers meet important reading milestones.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in STEM Education Master of Education

This program will help you empower students to think like scientists. It was designed in conjunction with The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) and Accelerate Learning and offers a holistic overview of historical and current issues impacting integrated science education while cultivating research-based strategies to improve student learning.

25

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership Master of Education

This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to help other teachers reach their full potential. You’ll learn to interpret research on leadership models, teacher evaluation, and motivation, and use it to develop professional learning opportunities that promote continuous improvement

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners Master of Education

English language learners are the fastest growing student population and educators need specialized training to work with them effectively. This program is built to help teachers reach these students, bridge cultural gaps, and differentiate their curriculum according to individual student needs.

31

Semester Credits

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M.A. in Elementary Teaching Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Elementary Teaching degree is designed for those who want to be elementary teachers but have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. By building a solid foundation in elementary education, you’ll earn a master’s degree and be prepared for a career of working with young learners.

34

Semester Credits

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M.A. in Secondary Teaching Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching is designed for students who have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields but want to be teachers at the secondary level. By building a solid foundation in secondary education, you’ll earn a master’s degree and be prepared for a career in teaching at the secondary level.

34

Semester Credits

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Master of Healthcare Administration Master of Science

The Master of Healthcare Administration prepares students for advanced leadership roles in the healthcare field, providing real world experience in management and strategy development. It also includes coursework that results in eligibility to take the Lean Healthcare exam.

36

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Higher Education Certificate

This program is designed for students wishing to learn more about the key areas of higher education. Students will learn about relevant higher education topics that will allow them to advance their knowledge and career in higher education.

18

Semester Credits

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Micro-Credential in Community College Leadership Micro-Credential

This micro-credential centers on the unique needs of leadership in a community college setting. With the growing cost of higher education, local institutions will serve a greater role in supporting student achievement, enabling them to complete degrees for career options which may not exist today. Consideration is given to the historical development of the two-year college in light of the economic dynamics existing in the 21st century and how change is needed to build community relationships, service students, and sustain institutional growth.

9

Semester Credits

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