Harrison began his career as an educator, teaching
English and
American Studies at
Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in
Mainz, Germany,
Iowa State University, and
Colorado College. Following his educational career, Harrison left full-time teaching to take an administrative position at Colorado College. He joined Gehrung Associates University Relations Counselors in 1985, where he worked with such clients as the
Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University,
Bryn Mawr College,
Smith College, and
Williams College. He became president of the firm shortly thereafter. In 1989, Harrison moved to the University of Michigan, where he became vice president of university relations and secretary of the university.
University of Hartford Harrison became the fifth president of the University of Hartford in 1998. During Harrison's tenure, the university has undertaken a vigorous and comprehensive building campaign in an attempt to modify the archaic and outdated structures, most of which were built in the 1960s. Building projects completed under Harrsion's presidency included the Hartford Arts school's visual arts complex, ISET science complex, Mort and Irma Performing Arts Center, and Shaw Center at Hillyer College. Harrison taught one English course per year at Hartford, in addition to being the university's president, he held the rank of resident professor. On June 30, 2017, Harrison retired from the University of Hartford. After the renovation of its libraries in 2016, the university announced that they would now be named the Harrison University Libraries. ==Awards and honors==