Dr. Bennie L. Harris is Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate and a seasoned CEO and board director with more than 30 years of experience in organizational growth, financial performance, innovation, and governance. He leads a $100 million-plus enterprise serving 5,400 students and employing 1,100 full- and part-time professionals, with an annual economic impact exceeding $625 million.

During his tenure, Dr. Harris has led a 17 percent increase in enrollment, advanced $70 million in new and renovated facilities, doubled philanthropic support, and expanded market-responsive engineering and business programs. Throughout his career, he has raised more than $650 million in philanthropic support, including more than $235 million through major fundraising campaigns.

Dr. Harris serves on several higher education, civic, and nonprofit boards, including the Greenville Chamber, OneSpartanburg, Inc., United Way of the Piedmont, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and Lipscomb University. He also serves as president of the NCAA Big South Conference and chair-elect of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, an MBA in Strategic Marketing, and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He also hosts the leadership podcast Below the Line, which has featured prominent leaders from business, government, education, and public service.

Bennie is married to his college sweetheart, Frankie, and they have three adult children.