William C. "Bill" Harrison is the chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education

North Carolina State Board of Education

The North Carolina State Board of Education, established by Article 9 of the North Carolina Constitution, supervises and administers the public school systems of North Carolina...

, which sets policy for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction oversees the public school system in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The DPI is headed by the State Superintendent and the North Carolina State Board of Education...

. He was the first person to serve as both State Board of Education Chairman and as "chief executive officer," a position created by Gov. Beverly Perdue in 2009 to consolidate authority and accountability for public schools in North Carolina. After a state superior court judge ruled that Perdue had over-stepped her constitutional authority by making him CEO, Harrison stepped down from that role, while continuing to be chairman of the board.

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Harrison has served as Superintendent of local school systems in Cumberland County

Cumberland County Schools

Cumberland County Schools is a school district encompassing the entirety of Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States.Cumberland County Schools' headquarters are located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Cumberland County Schools has schools located in all cities and towns of Cumberland County...

, Orange County

Orange County, North Carolina

Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 133,801. Its county seat is Hillsborough...

, and Hoke County

Hoke County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 46,952 people, 11,373 households, and 8,745 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 12,518 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...

. He has also served as an Assistant Superintendent in Brunswick County Schools and as a principal and teacher. Dr. Harrison holds a bachelor's degree in Intermediate Education from Methodist College, a master's degree in Educational Administration and an Education Specialist degree in Education Administration from East Carolina University

East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...

, and an Educational doctorate in Education Administration from Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...

.