Harris to Lead Northwest Secondary Education

By Heidi Baumgartner, director of communication, North Pacific Union Conference, and Dustin Jones, MA, director of communication, Upper Columbia Conference

Brian Harris accepted an invitation from North Pacific Union to serve as the next director of secondary education. He will be replacing Keith Waters who plans to retire this summer.

Harris has been serving as vice president for education at Upper Columbia Conference in Spokane, Washington, since 2019. He was instrumental in developing a strategic plan for the UCC education department and has a passion for bringing teachers together to learn from each other and advance education throughout the conference. Harris has also invested in future educators through higher education instruction at Walla Walla University.

Prior to his time in conference leadership, Harris served as principal of Walla Walla Valley Academy from 2012 to 2019. During his tenure, his tireless efforts to build a mission of empowering students for Christ renewed the school’s commitment to students, family and alumni.

“Brian Harris is well skilled for his role on our Northwest leadership team with his many years of successful leadership in secondary schools and at the conference level,” said Keith Hallam, NPUC vice president for education. “His passion for Adventist education is vital to helping us fulfill our vision for every Seventh-day Adventist early childhood through grade 12 program and school to be a valued asset to the ministry of the local church.”

Harris has a Master of Education, with endorsements in administration, physical education and history. He is a member of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and The National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Harris began his career as an athletic director and physical education teacher for Rio Lindo Academy, in Healdsburg, California, in 1997. He then served as principal at Palisades Christian Academy in Spokane and Cascade Christian Academy in Wenatchee.

Harris and his wife, Ayrin, met at Pacific Union College and married in 1996. They live in Walla Walla with their children, JT and Ellie. The family enjoys backpacking, camping, golf, baseball and their two dogs, Molly and Moses.

“I am humbled and excited for this new ministry opportunity,” said Harris, who will be joining the NPUC education team in summer 2024. “I love Seventh-day Adventist education and feel so blessed to be able to continue to contribute to the educational mission in NPUC. God is good!”

NPUC serves more than 7,500 students and 680 teachers and administrators in 125 schools and early childhood programs with the intent purpose to lead students to encounter Jesus, accept His gift of salvation, and follow Him.