Kelly Harris

Kelly, serving as Assistant Dean and Director of Employer Engagement, leads a team dedicated to developing and implementing strategies that improve the quality, variety, and inclusiveness of full-time, postgraduate, and experiential learning opportunities for students at Grinnell College. Her team manages Handshake, the online career management platform, organizes engaging on-campus and virtual recruiting events, and cultivates partnerships with a wide range of organizations. She also regularly connects with employers to share insights on recruiting strategies, helping to build strong, successful collaborations— all aimed at creating meaningful connections that genuinely support students’ post-graduate success.

Kelly possesses over two decades of experience in higher education and leadership in career services, having served in senior positions at Eureka College, Florida State University, and Bradley University. In these roles, she developed and managed programs to facilitate connections among students, alumni, and employers. Kelly has also held multiple executive leadership positions and led teams within regional and national organizations. Furthermore, she has conducted nationwide webinars, organized large-scale conferences, delivered presentations at regional and national events, and authored articles on employer engagement. Her dedication to community service was recognized by the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, which named her one of the “25 Women in Leadership.”

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, who helps oversee the grounds at the Grinnell Golf Course, her rescue dog, Russa, and their expanding families. Kelly is an avid reader, having founded the America Reads program, which remains active at Bradley University to this day. She also travels extensively and seizes every opportunity to support her cherished St. Louis Cardinals.