Harris is a senior research scientist in NORC’s Public Health department, where she leads substance use and suicide prevention projects that support a variety of populations through training, technical assistance, and evaluation. Those populations include health and behavioral health providers; service members, veterans, and their families; rural communities; individuals who identify as LGBTQ+; tribal communities; college and university students, faculty, and staff; and youth. 

As president of NYSPHA, Harris is spearheading a New Directions Initiative to make the association more membership driven. Through a large survey and multiple focus groups, she identified specific ways to increase the value of a NYSPHA membership, including the creation of a new Public Health in Action Committee. As the Chair of this committee, Harris and her colleagues are promoting the use of the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and planning a youth mental health roundtable for school professionals. Harris was previously elected to the NYSPHA Board of Directors in 2018.

We congratulate Harris on this honor.