Alissa Harrison, D.M.
Dr. Alissa E. Harrison is the Vice President for Information Technology (IT) for Hampton University.
She leads a team of professionals focused on IT enterprise-level support, web design and services, help desk, network services, computer center operations, media productions, and the Blackboard learning management system. Prior to this role, she was the Senior Vice President for Muse Technologies, an innovative small business that provides client support through change management, capacity building, coaching, and leadership training. With over 30 years of IT and Program Management experience, her expertise includes providing strategic leadership and oversight planning, managing enterprise-wide IT programs, and delivering complex business system solutions in the private, government and public sectors.
Dr. Harrison is an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School at University of Maryland Global College (UMGC) and previously in the School of Business at George Mason University. She has served an adjunct professor in the UMUC MBA Program and supported the accessibility services for students pursuing graduate degrees with disabilities. Having a passion for developing leadership and business skills in college level students, she serves as an Executive Partner for the College of William and Mary where she supports the Mason School of Business graduate students as a coach and mentor.
She is an author and published researcher and an industry consultant in Millennial leadership development. With a focus on bridging the divide between the next generation of leaders and retiring Baby Boomers, she has published articles on building leadership competencies and the influence of best practices in developing Millennial leaders. Her recent study, “Exploring Millennial Leadership Development: An Evidence Assessment of Information Communication Technology and Reverse Mentoring Competencies,” is published in the Case Studies in Business and Management. Dr Harrison also conducts innovative leadership development seminars, speaks on organizational transformation and change, and provides generational diversity workshops that couple using psychometric tools in understanding the professional and motivational traits that underpin developing leaders. She wrote a collaborative autoethnographic book chapter that addresses the barriers that many military spouses face as they navigate postgraduate study. As a military spouse of a recently retired senior service member, Dr. Harrison is keenly aware of the many challenges and welcomed the opportunity to document the experiences of four different spouse perspectives in this publication.
A native of New Britain, Connecticut, she was a military spouse for more than 33 years. She and her husband have three boys. Their middle child is a non-commissioned officer. The youngest is an officer in the US Marine Corps and will be enroute to Okinawa, Japan in summer of 2021. He will be closer to their oldest son who currently lives and works in Tokyo, Japan. While serving as a military spouse, Dr. Harrison simultaneously volunteered her time by supporting Soldier and Family activities, community programs, and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Harrison holds a Doctorate of Management from the University of Maryland University College, Master of Arts Degree in Administration Science from the George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Howard University. She also maintains PMP, ITILv3, and coaching certifications.