For 15 years, Harris taught in the management department of the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) College of Business Administration. While there, she helped manage the campus’ largest service-learning program, where lab instructors coached business undergraduates as they honed skills by working on various projects with nonprofit agencies. Successful projects helped earn UCF the President’s Award for Junior Achievement. Her professional experience includes executive-level positions in marketing and communications, including serving as senior account manager for Mansuetto Barnes Culler Advertising in St. Louis, director of marketing and corporate communications for American Express Incentive Services in Fenton, Missouri, and marketing director for the Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Prior to leaving Florida, Harris served on the board of directors for New Hope for Kids, a nonprofit organization devoted to providing ongoing counseling services and wish-granting for seriously ill children and children grieving the loss of a loved one.