African-American Husband & Wife Recently Awarded Doctorates in Educational Leadership

Oakland, CA, September 11, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Of interest to journalists and editors covering topics related to: education, schools, social justice, educational leadership, school reform, student achievement, and community development
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The Harrisons: Reforming education through research, authorship, partnership, and entrepreneurship.

Oakland, CA - Dr. NNeka Harrison and Dr. Chris Harrison (a husband and wife team of African-American educators) have now earned their doctorates in education from Mills College in Oakland, CA. Dr. NNeka Harrison was recently awarded her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership on May 15, 2010 during the largest graduation in the 158-year history of Mills College. This also comes as a high honor for Dr. NNeka Harrison considering that the U.S. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, delivered an electrifying commencement address during the graduation ceremony after she was introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Dr. Chris Harrison also earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in 2009 from Mills College.

The story of Drs. NNeka and Chris Harrison is one of a kind, and serves as inspiration for all Americans, regardless of race or social class. They both started out as first-generation, college-bound students who were determined to break the cycle of poverty while growing up in Oakland, CA. After earning a high school diploma, Dr. NNeka Harrison completed her coursework in the Peralta Community College District and transferred to Clark-Atlanta University to earn a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Dr. Chris Harrison entered Morehouse College after high school and earned a B.A. in Urban Planning. In response to the crisis they witnessed in urban education, Drs. NNeka and Chris Harrison developed a passion for improving the quality of education and decided to enter the field as a husband and wife team.

Today, the Harrisons own an educational consulting business-Inward Journeys Consulting, have published a book titled How to Help Your Child Achieve Academic Success in School: Educating Your Child During the Elementary, Middle, and High School Years, and they are currently raising and homeschooling a family of two daughters and a son. In their mid-30s and after 13 years of marriage, Dr. NNeka Harrison and Dr. Chris Harrison now have a total of eight earned college degrees (two Bachelor's degrees, a teaching certificate, three Master's degrees in educational leadership, early childhood development, and math/science education, and two doctorates in education) between them in their household. Dr. NNeka Harrison's dissertation explored the life experiences of a parent as data for improving home-school-community partnerships. Dr. Chris Harrison's doctoral work examined how students' metacognition is developed when learning science in a Web-based environment that is supposed to promote metacognitive thinking.

As Co-Founders of Inward Journeys Consulting, Dr. NNeka Harrison and Dr. Chris Harrison partner with schools, parents, community-based organizations, and other educational stakeholders to improve the quality of K-12 education through professional development, consultation, and educational products. Their journey wasn't easy, and they definitely encountered many trials, challenges, and life tests while raising a family and in pursuit of a higher education. Yet, in the words of Drs. NNeka & Chris Harrison, they learned that "Education is a path to a higher quality of life, a way of preparation for purposeful living, and a doorway to realizing dreams, addressing social dilemmas, and leaving a mark of excellence on the hearts and minds of present and future generations."

About Inward Journeys Consulting

Inward Journeys Consulting provides educational consultation, products and services to teachers, parents, school leaders, and other community stakeholders. Since 2001, Inward Journeys Consulting has partnered with public / private entities and individual families concerned about improving the quality of K-12 education. For more information about Inward Journeys Consulting, visit www.inwardjourneyscounsulting.com or call 1-866-281-3446.

Media Contact:
Dr. Chris Harrison
of Inward Journeys Consulting
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.inwardjourneysconsulting.com

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