Scholar · Research Administration Leader · Author
Dr. Rashonda Harris
CEO, Purple Sheep Ecosystem
Dr. Rashonda Harris, MBA, CRA, is a scholar, educator, entrepreneur, and former higher education executive with more than 28 years of experience in research administration and institutional leadership. Beginning her career in an entry-level position in 1998, she advanced through the profession to Assistant Vice President before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship. A Certified Research Administrator and NCURA Distinguished Educator, Dr. Harris brings firsthand operational and executive experience to her work in institutional strategy, organizational transformation, professional education, and leadership development. She earned her Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, where her research examined the experiences of Black women in higher education leadership. Today, she leads the Purple Sheep ecosystem, comprising Purple Sheep Consulting (PS), Purple Sheep Institute (PSI), and Purple Sunshine Foundation (PSF)—connecting institutional consulting, research-informed education, and philanthropic impact.
Research Focus
- Research administration, institutional strategy, and research financial stewardship
- Higher education leadership and organizational change
- Visibility, recognition, economic mobility, workforce experiences, entrepreneurship, and institutional barriers affecting Black women in leadership and professional advancement
- Mentorship, sponsorship, equity, and professional development
- Leadership capability and institutional effectiveness
Publications & Authored Works
A growing bibliography of Dr. Rashonda Harris’s research, scholarly contributions, frameworks, and original commentary. Scholarly works link to their permanent publication records when available. Author’s reflections are identified separately from research findings.
Scholarly Research & Publications
Governing Through Federal Research Volatility
Funding Reliability, Institutional Continuity, and the Capacity to Recover. Purple Sheep Research Intelligence™ Annual White Paper, September 1, 2026. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22234546.
Mentorship to Sponsorship: Advancing Underrepresented Professionals
Harris, R. (2025). The Chronicle of Mentoring & Coaching, 9(3). Read the publication.
The Invisible Purple Sheep Framework
Harris, R. (2026). The Invisible Purple Sheep Framework. Purple Sheep Press. June 2026. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.30259.39203. View Zenodo archive · View original ResearchGate record.
The Illusion of Arrival: Black Women and the Paradox of Success
Harris, R. (2026). The Illusion of Arrival: Black Women and the Paradox of Success. Purple Sheep Press. Forthcoming November 11, 2026. DOI and full-text link to be added upon publication.
Author’s Reflections & Commentary
Original reflections and commentary extend the public conversation around published research. They are distinct from peer-reviewed scholarship and do not alter the findings of the works they accompany.
Beyond the First: Black Women, Political Power, and the Responsibility of Progress
Harris, R. (2026). Beyond the First: Black Women, Political Power, and the Responsibility of Progress. Purple Sheep Press. Companion reflection forthcoming November 11, 2026. Publication link to be added when released on Dr. Harris’s personal LinkedIn.
Scholarly Background
Dr. Harris earned a Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. Her doctoral research, The Invisible Purple Sheep, informs her continuing examination of organizational visibility, recognition, and leadership advancement.
Institutional Affiliations
Purple Sheep Consulting — institutional consulting, research administration, strategy, and organizational improvement.
Purple Sheep Institute — research, learning, professional development, and institutional capability building.
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Purple Sheep Press
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