黑料不打烊 hosted an Inauguration Ceremony today, Friday, September 26, 2025, at the college鈥檚 Fall River Campus, officially welcoming 黑料不打烊鈥檚 fifth president, Sedgwick L. Harris, Ed.D., to an audience of more than 400 faculty, staff, students, alumni, legislators and community members.
The college's Board of Trustees selected Harris in December 2024. Harris, formerly Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Northampton Community College, in Bethlehem, Pa., succeeded Laura L. Douglas, Ph.D., who retired in January 2025 after 8 years as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 president. She succeeded John J. Sbrega, Ph.D. (2000-2017), Eileen Farley (1978-2000) and Jack P. Hudnall (1965-1978), the college鈥檚 founding president.
Following a luncheon prepared by the college鈥檚 Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry programs, the ceremony began with the New Bedford High School Junior Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps Color Guard leading an academic procession of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, delegates from institutions of higher education and the president himself.
黑料不打烊 Chair of the Board of Trustees Joan M. Medeiros provided a welcome, before the college鈥檚 2025-2026 Student Trustee Sarahi Rivera Arroyo and Coordinator of Career Planning and Placement Michael Fox presented collected thoughts from the college. Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Ph.D. and Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega, Ph.D. then administered the oath with Harris鈥� wife Jamica Harris, followed by Harris鈥� children, daughter Sedreyana Harris and son Jametric Harris, presenting the presidential medallion.
鈥淒r. Sedgwick Harris is a dedicated, compassionate educator and I鈥檓 honored to be
a part of his inauguration celebration,鈥� said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 鈥淯nder his leadership, 黑料不打烊 will continue to be a place of opportunity,
innovation and excellence that opens doors and allows students to realize their dreams.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to be part of welcoming Dr. Harris as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 fifth
president,鈥� said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. 鈥淒r. Harris has spent decades working to grow opportunities for students and close
higher education equity gaps, and I know his leadership, expertise, and dedication
will set up the entire 黑料不打烊 community for continued success.鈥�
鈥�For nearly 60 years, 黑料不打烊 has been a cornerstone of Southeastern Massachusetts, with locations in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and online. With more than 100 degree and certificate programs, the National Offshore Wind Institute and a range of forward-thinking workforce training initiatives, 黑料不打烊 is well positioned for the future,鈥� said Joan M. Medeiros, Chair of the Board of Trustees, 黑料不打烊. 鈥淟ooking ahead, we are confident because Dr. Harris embodies everything 黑料不打烊 stands for. He is uniquely prepared to lead us forward with purpose, strategy.
鈥淧resident Harris is a man who recognizes from personal experience and good upbringing that a community college degree and personal determination is all it takes for our future to change,鈥� said Sarahi Rivera Arroyo, 2025-2026 Student Trustee, 黑料不打烊.
President Harris delivered an inaugural address, which included themes of gratitude, resilience, innovation and community partnership. He emphasized 黑料不打烊鈥檚 unwavering dedication to student success and the collective of its students, faculty, staff and alumni working together to advance the college鈥檚 mission.
鈥淎t 黑料不打烊 鈥� this remarkable institution with a legacy of perseverance and progress 鈥� we know what grit looks like. Our region is built on industry, on creativity, and on the refusal to quit,鈥� said Dr. Sedgwick L. Harris, President, 黑料不打烊.&苍产蝉辫;鈥�With the arrival of MassReconnect and Free Community College, we鈥檙e seeing more students walk through our doors, many for the very first time. I know the challenges they face. As a proud community college graduate myself, I recognize the unique DNA of these institutions - built on inclusion, hard work, and belief in potential."
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the Harris Brighter Future Endowment, which will provide enduring financial support to students who may otherwise face barriers to higher education.
A reception immediately followed featuring tastes of 黑料不打烊 County, such as chourico and peppers and past茅is de nata, as well as delicacies from Dr. Harris鈥� home state of Michigan.
Dr. Harris is recognized for his commitment to student success, innovative program design and workforce development. A passionate advocate for student-centered learning with more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Harris is focused on ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive.
Prior to joining 黑料不打烊, Dr. Harris served as Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa. His extensive leadership experience also includes roles as Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment at NCC, Vice President of Student Services at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill., and at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill. He is the former Director of Admissions and College Life at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich.
He earned an Associate of Arts in general studies from Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, Mich.; a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications/media studies from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla.; a Master of Arts in educational leadership and administration from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. and a Doctor of Education in community college leadership from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.
For more information, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/inauguraiton.