Maurice Harris

Maurice Harris, a second year student at the Truman School of Public Affairs, has gained skills, knowledge and friendships during his time as a graduate student.

Harris received his undergraduate degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. where he studied political science and history.

After a year of attending law school at Mizzou, he decided he didn’t need the degree to achieve his career goals. Harris took a year off of school to work and had a friend recommend the Truman school.

“I had a lot of interest in the program and the courses offered,” he said.

Now that Harris is in his second and final year of the program, he said he has enjoyed his relationships with his professors and the diverse backgrounds of his classmates.

“The professors are really available and open to talk about classes or anything else,” he said. “My classmates are very interesting people. We have good relationships with each other.”

He also said that he has found value in the classes he has taken at the Truman School.

“My classes have given me the tools to be adaptable to different careers and opportunities,”

Harris said. “I have gained a very broad range of skills that can allow me to work in many different fields.”

Harris said he is hoping to do something with economic development or education policy. He has a particular interest in local level urban development.

Originally from St. Louis, Harris said his dream job would be to become the mayor of the city.

“St. Louis has so much to offer,” he said. “I think the city would benefit from rethinking how development works as a city and as a region.”

In his spare time, Harris said he enjoys traveling and reading history novels, specifically US history, the Civil War, modern history and the Cold War.

Harris also serves as the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership alumni advisor for Missouri. HOBY is a national leadership seminar for high school sophomores.

As a Banning Scholar, Harris wanted to thank those who make it possible for him to further his education.

“Thank you for your generous support to help fund my future endeavors in society,” Harris said.