Capt. Kenneth R. Harris III, LCSW, BCD, graduated from George Mason University in 2011, with a bachelor’s degree in integrative studies and human services management, while simultaneously earning his commission as a cavalry officer in the Army ROTC. Assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, he deployed to Afghanistan as a scout platoon leader in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2013-14, and to South Korea in 2015 as a troop executive officer. Kenny’s desire to enhance the mental health of veterans and their families emerged during his tenure as a cavalry leader. As a result, he re-classed to the Army clinical social work profession in 2016. Kenny earned his MSW from Fayetteville State University in 2017 and completed the Army’s Social Work Internship Program in 2019. He has worked in numerous military mental health settings and most recently, served as the primary behavioral health provider for 4,500+ Immediate Response Force paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Kenny is an active-duty Army social work officer with research interests in fostering post-traumatic growth in veterans, using spirituality and religion informed evidence-based treatments for trauma, overcoming adverse childhood experiences, and suicide prevention strategies in support of the military population. Professors Trenette Clark Goings and Michael Lambert and associate professor Paul Lanier will serve as Kenny’s research mentors.
