Kendall T. Harris, Phd, P.E.

Kendall T. Harris, PhD, P.E., a native of East St. Louis. Ill, was appointed the Dean of the College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in the Fall of 2007. Dr. Harris is the sixth dean of the College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University.

As Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Harris serves as the chief administrative officer of the College in all matters related to academic, faculty and student affairs. He is also responsible for fund development, policy compliance, and student recruitment and retention.

A licensed professional engineer, Dr. Harris began his tenure at Prairie View A&M University in 2005, as Associate Dean and Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Under his leadership as Associate Dean, the College implemented the College of Engineering Success Center, which focuses on the retention of engineering students by offering supplemental instruction for freshman and sophomore students enrolled in math, science and engineering courses. He also conceptualized and facilitated a program that partners freshman advisors from each academic department within the college with advisors from the university’s freshman residence complex, University College. This collaboration works through a new freshman course within the College that introduces fundamental engineering, computer science and technology concepts to first year students.

Dr. Harris has consistently held faculty appointments throughout his tenure as an educator. His external research efforts have garnered more than $5 million in research and program funding. His research interests are in the fields of Heat Transfer, Electronic Package Cooling and Energy Conservation. He has numerous publications and conference proceedings in these areas. Dr. Harris is an active member of the faculty in both academia and in his community. Dr. Harris has worked extensively with youth, encouraging them to pursue college degrees and to major in STEM related fields. He strongly advocates and recognizes that an education is the key factor that separates the “haves” from the “have nots”.

Prior to joining the faculty at PVAMU, Dr. Harris served as Associate Professor and Associate Chairman for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. In this capacity, he managed the departmental budget, curriculum design, fellowships, and scholarships.

He graduated from the Naval Aviation Officer School as a U.S. Naval Officer and Aviator.
Dr. Harris received his masters and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Mississippi and he holds bachelor degrees from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Harris a devoted Christian is married to Mrs. Shundra Harris who is also an engineer, turned interior designer. They reside in Cypress, TX and is the father of a two sons: fourteen year old, Edward and nine-year old DaKary.