Dr. Maurice L. Harris joined Yale Schwarzman Center in 2020 with more than twenty years of experience in communications, media production, and arts management. As the Center’s inaugural Director of Marketing & Communications, Maurice played a pivotal role in establishing the Center's foundation and identity, building its reputation and visibility.
In November 2025, Maurice transitioned into the role of Deputy Director of the Schwarzman Center. In this capacity, he provides strong organizational leadership, oversees day-to-day operations, and collaborates closely with the Executive Director to drive the Center’s mission and values. He also works with internal and external constituencies, including the Schwarzman Center Advisory Board, visiting artists, and local partners, on strategies to enhance the Center’s reach and community engagement.
From 2016 to 2020, Maurice served as diocesan communications minister for the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont—a member of the Bishop’s staff—and co-facilitated the diocese’s Racial Reconciliation & Racial Healing Network. He also provided consulting services for small businesses and nonprofits. From 2002 to 2014, Maurice held leadership roles including assistant vice president of marketing and communications for Fifth Third Bank and head of corporate communications for FirstGroup America, formerly the parent company of Greyhound, First Student, First Transit, and First Vehicle Services.
His career began in the music industry, specifically in artist management, music production, and music licensing. Maurice’s discography includes original compositions for Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns, and MTV’s Making the Video television series, as well as gold and multi-platinum records, remixes, and collaborations with major and independent recording artists including Grace Jones, Pocket Size, Blessid Union of Souls, LaKiesha Berri, Jennifer Fouché, Grammy-nominated guitarist Rod Harris, Jr., and two-time Grammy Award winner Saunders Sermons. Under the stage name Ionne, Maurice is featured on the 2026 GRAMMY first-round ballot in two genre categories across four submissions: Best Alternative Music Album, Best Progressive R&B Album, Best Alternative Music Performance, and Best Global Music Performance.
Maurice holds a BBA summa cum laude in Management from Northwood University, an MS in Organizational Leadership from Mount St. Joseph University, and a PhD in Ethical and Creative Leadership with a specialization in Martin Luther King, Jr. Studies from Union Institute and University. He is an artist and cofounder at 5015 Records LLC, a creative venture associated with Midnight Oil Collective. In Fall 2025, he created and instructed the Yale Residential College Seminar CSTD 210: Artmaking & Leadership: An Integrative Approach.
Maurice L. Harris, PhD
he, him
Deputy Director
Yale Schwarzman Center
PO Box 208299
New Haven, CT 06520
T 203 432 5557
maurice.harris@yale.edu