Sandra Harris, professor and director of the LU doctoral program in educational leadership has been selected to receive the 2011 Living Legend award by the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA).

“Dr. Harris’s ongoing contributions embody NCPEA’s commitment to the practice and study of educational administration,” said NCPEA executive director James Berry. “She has spent more than a decade developing the capacity of junior faculty, mentoring them at the NCPEA conference and through numerous publications.”

The award was first bestowed in 1999 to recipients who are recognized for living a life that inspires others, exemplary service to NCPEA, modeling genuine care, ethics and professionalism in service to education, dedication to research, teaching and service to the professions, and significant contributions to the field of educational administration.

“I’m shocked that I have been recognized in this manner when there are so many other deserving educators I admire and respect,” Harris said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to do the work I do as an educator and also delighted because you never get too old to know that others appreciate your work.”

Harris is in her seventh year on the Lamar faculty and spent five years at Stephen F. Austin State University prior to coming to the LU campus. She served as a teacher, principal and superintendent during the early years of her career. According to Harris, the best part of her job is the relationships she builds with colleagues and students while sharing experiences and growing together.