William M. Harris, Sr.

Armstrong High, Richmond (1960) 
Urban Planning

At Armstrong High, Dr. William Harris was senior class president, honor student and award winner in science and mathematics. He played football and baseball at Armstrong High and football at Howard University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics at Howard University in 1965. At the University of Washington he earned the Masters (1972) and Ph.D. (1974) in Urban Planning. His career includes positions as a research physicist, professional planner and university professor. Dr. Harris was the first African American in the U. S. to earn a doctorate in Urban Planning. He was the first African American appointed as a Dean at The University of Virginia when he was selected to lead the new office of African American Affairs in 1976. Dr. Harris was the first African American elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (1999) and is co-founder of its Planning and Black Community Division. His research focused on inner city African American economic development and citizen empowerment. He is the author of four books and has published numerous scholarly articles in professional journals. Dr. Harris continues a professional career as an Urban Planning Consultant in the areas of economic development and low income housing.