Dr. Harris is a Professor and Chair of the Sociology and Criminology Department, and director of the Aging Studies Program. She is also a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and Co-Editor of Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice published by SAGE. Dr. Harris was selected to receive the 2009 JCU Distinguished Faculty Award. In April 2008 Dr. Harris received the Educator of the Year Award from the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education. Among the assets that she brings to the university are three important areas of teaching, research and practice in 1) Aging Studies, 2) Poverty and Social Welfare, and 3) Social Work and Counseling. Her research interests are Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, cross cultural gerontology, gender and aging. and HIV/AIDS and older women. Dr. Harris presents nationally and internationally on these topics.