College of Engineering and Science Dean John Harris, the MIT- and Caltech-degreed scholar of electrical engineering and computation and neural systems, has been named Allen S. Henry Chair and Professor of Engineering.
The previous Henry Chair was former College of Engineering Dean Martin Glicksman.
Harris was named dean in 2022 and started in July of that year. He previously spent 29 years at University of Florida, including the last 11 as chair of the electrical and computer engineering department.
A believer in developing graduates who will be more than just excellent engineers or scientists, Harris advocates for student exposure to areas they may not normally explore, from data science to programming to communication – and for training in soft skills such as how to nail a job interview.
Not content just to bring powerful new approaches to student learning and success, Harris is also supercharging teaching in the College of Engineering and Science. With support from a grant from the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), he and faculty leaders launched a series of monthly teaching seminars and an annual, university-wide teaching workshop.
Additionally, last semester, he helped establish the COES Teaching Council, which has already introduced several impactful initiatives—including the inaugural COES Teaching Showcase. This event invited faculty to open their classrooms, allowing peers to observe and share effective strategies for increasing student engagement.
“The Allen S. Henry Chair endowment will play a vital role in sustaining and expanding these efforts, reinforcing our dedication to innovative, student-centered teaching,” Harris said.
An advocate for and active supporter of higher education, and a Ph.D. in mechanics and hydraulics himself earned at the University of Iowa, Allen Henry saw in his own life the power of learning.
His education was primarily self-supported, so Henry knew how important scholarships could be for student success. A man of action and compassion, he was responsible for $3.8 million in gifts to Florida Tech, including both the endowed named faculty chair and support for undergraduate scholarships.
It is fitting that the Allen S. Henry building on campus houses Florida Tech’s Student Success and Support Center, which provides resources and academic assistance to help students discover their unique skills, develop to their fullest potential, and achieve academic, personal and professional success.
Sandra Henry said her husband would be pleased with what the newest Henry Chair is doing now – and what is to come.
“Allen experienced the transformational impact of higher education, and he understands its success hinges on students having as few barriers as possible to college and on faculty engaging not just with students but with peers and others to become even better at what they do,” she said. “The teaching and research initiatives that Dr. Harris has instituted certainly align favorably with Allen’s vision,” she continued. “We are so pleased he will serve as the new Henry Chair.”
