Dr. Todd Harrison brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his new role as the Dean of Heidelberg University’s School of Business.
With a background in sports management and higher education, his journey has taken him across the country, shaping his approach to leadership and student success.
From sports management to higher education
Todd is originally from Seneca Falls, New York, in the Finger Lakes. He moved from there and began his academic path at Slippery Rock University in western Pennsylvania, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Management. His career launched with the Pittsburgh Pirates before he pursued a master’s degree at The Ohio State University.
Over the years, he held roles at institutions such as the University of Florida, returned to Ohio State, and spent two decades at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York. There, he transitioned from sports management to an assistant dean role, broadening his impact on student development and academic leadership.
Last spring, while working on a youth sports camp in Jamaica, Todd learned about the opportunity at Heidelberg. After an interview in mid-June, he was selected for the position and arrived on campus in August. Today, he looks forward to shaping the future of Heidelberg’s business students.
First impressions and personal insights
Todd said he was drawn to Heidelberg’s welcoming environment and close-knit campus. Since arriving, he has enjoyed exploring the area – though he humorously admits he finds the abundance of one-way streets in Tiffin frustrating. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, running, coaching, and spending time with his wife and two children.
When it comes to personal quirks, Todd has an irrational fear of heights – he’s fine with cleaning the gutters, but if the ladder shifts, he’s done. However, his greatest fear? Losing. A competitor at heart, he admires leadership that fosters hard work and dedication. If given the chance, he’d love to have dinner with Jürgen Klopp, the renowned German football manager, to discuss team-building and pushing limits for success.
One surprising fact about Todd? He refuses to watch fiction. If it’s not real, he’s not interested. He estimates he’s seen fewer than 70 movies in his life, preferring documentaries instead. However, if a show or movie becomes a major topic of conversation, he’ll watch it just to stay in the loop.
Vision for students and the future
Todd's philosophy for students is simple: learn how to learn. With information constantly evolving, he emphasizes the importance of determining what is credible. “You will be learning your whole life,” he says. His approach to challenges? Embrace the chaos. While he makes an effort to slow down when needed, he thrives in fast-paced environments. His guiding principle is: "Control the controllables."
Reflecting on his own academic journey, which began in 1995, he acknowledges how much has changed over the years and stresses the importance of adaptability. His leadership style blends servant leadership with transformational leadership, developing strong teams, encouraging collaboration, and enabling others. He believes in the philosophy: "Lead how you would like to be led."
For Todd, professional success is defined by student success. When students move on to accomplish great things, those moments serve as his internal motivation. “That’s what gets you up in the morning,” he says. He hopes students leave Heidelberg with an experience that positions them to find what truly drives them.
Connecting with students and the community
One thing Todd admits he’s always learning from students? How to be hip in the ever-changing world of slang. This semester, he is teaching an introductory class but hopes to informally engage with students as well. His goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, engaging in discussions, and feeling truly supported. “The (Heidelberg) culture drew me in. Everyone truly cares about each other on a deeper level, and I want to help make that stronger.” Harrison aims to always have an open-door policy, unless he is in a meeting.
Todd also aims to strengthen ties between the Heidelberg School of Business and the local community. He hopes to involve students in more community-centered events, such as the Tiffin University Sales Pitch Competition, student-centered initiatives, and guest speaker sessions.
Above all, Todd is most excited about the people at Heidelberg and their commitment to the university. “I’m not on an island, I’m part of a whole community, and that energy is contagious.”