Rev. Mary L. Harris has served on staff at Christian Theological Seminary for 18 years. She began her time at CTS as Church and Alumni Relations Director, followed by positions in Admissions, Associate Dean of Student Services and now Dean of Students.
Prior to coming to Indianapolis, Dean Harris was Director of Admissions at Methodist Theological School in Ohio for 8 years and co-founder of an inner-city non-profit, Children Helping in Prevention. According to Rev. Harris, “My calling to ministry has always been in direct service, working with those who need an advocate within communities and institutions.” She goes on to note that “While working in the corporate world while attending seminary, I could see a need for pastoral care in the daily lives of people. I’m honored to share the journey of our students, faculty, staff and alumni at the seminary now.”
Rev. Harris attended both The Ohio State University and led a campus ministry there prior to her service in seminary higher education. She received her Master of Divinity from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serves with the Indiana Region on the Reference and Counsel Committee. In 2014 she was honored by the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries to receive their Premio Somos Uno, Distinguished Leader of Higher Education recognition for dedication and support to Hispanic students and respect for their dignity. She is a wife, mother of two adult children and six grandchildren. In her leisure, she enjoys genealogy research, writing and travel.