Dr. Connie Jo Harris earned her Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership from Arizona State University in 2007, adding to a distinguished academic and professional foundation. Her career left a profound impact across Arizona and beyond. As Executive Director for AdvancED/NCA (2013-2017), she led transformative strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives, earning the 2018 Excellence in Education Award for Arizona. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at ASU's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College (2010-2013), she shaped the next generation of educational leaders with her wisdom, grace, and commitment to purposeful leadership.

Her tenure within the Deer Valley Unified School District included service as Associate Superintendent of Educational Services (2005-2010), where she reorganized departments, advanced curriculum development, and designed innovative programs that strengthened academic excellence districtwide. Her leadership earned her numerous accolades, including the Pat Tillman Lifetime Achievement Recognition (2007) and Administrator of the Year (2008).

One of Connie's most influential roles was as Principal of Mountain Ridge High School (1994-2002), where she helped establish a new $24 million campus, cultivated a student-centered culture, and led the school to statewide recognition. She received the NASSP Principal of the Year Award for Arizona (1995), and under her leadership, Mountain Ridge earned an A+ School of Excellence Recognition (2002). Earlier in her career, she served as principal and assistant principal at several high schools, including Deer Valley, Horizon, and Barry Goldwater, beginning her journey as an instructor at Deer Valley and Westwood High Schools. Connie found immense joy in teaching and later discovered in leadership a calling that challenged and inspired her. Making a positive difference in the lives of students and colleagues was not simply part of her work, but the heart of her purpose.

A memorial service celebrating Connie's remarkable life was held on January 6, 2026 and in honor of Connie's wishes, remembrances may be made to the Banner MD Anderson Cancer/Health Foundation (for breast cancer research and support) at: Banner MD Anderson Cancer/Health Foundation 2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 160 Phoenix, AZ 85012 Phone: 480-335-4876