Get to Know Me
Dr. Robert Harper is a growth-minded strategist and transformative leader with more than two decades of distinguished service in student development, academic administration, enrollment management, and institutional effectiveness. Known for bridging strategic vision with operational impact, Dr. Harper has held senior leadership roles at four higher education institutions where he successfully led campus-wide initiatives to improve student outcomes, boost enrollment numbers, increase institutional funding, and achieve full reaffirmation of accreditation.
Throughout his career, Dr. Harper has built a reputation for championing faith-informed service, cross-sector collaboration, and mission-aligned strategic plans that drive measurable outcomes. In previous administrative roles, including Associate Vice President for Student Services, Dean of Lower College, and Director of Enrollment Management, he increased institutional sustainability by enhancing student retention and completion rates, modernizing student support services, and expanding educational access for traditional and nontraditional students.
Currently, Dr. Harper leads the HOPE (Helping Others Prioritize Education) Initiative, Inc., an impact-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students in their transition into college and preparing them for the demands of the 21st century workforce.
Under his leadership, the nonprofit has expanded its regional and national reach, forged strategic partnerships with K–12 school districts and higher education institutions, and launched evidence-based programs that support college readiness, career alignment, and social mobility for historically underserved populations.
Dr. Harper is described as a solution-focused innovator who applies systems thinking to move institutions boldly toward their goals. Being an administrator with a big-picture perspective, he thrives in environments that require aligning people, processes, and policies to deliver measurable impact. His leadership has been marked by a deep commitment to integrity, accountability, shared governance, and transparency, and his style is widely recognized as visionary, supportive, and collaborative. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and resource development, all of which are essential to advancing institutional resilience and relevance in today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape.
With a proven track record of institutional success at both 2-year and four-year colleges, Dr. Harper brings a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of higher education institutions and a forward-thinking approach to addressing current and future challenges. As an aspiring college president, his goal is to leverage his experience and vision to serve as a change agent, turning learners into leaders, resources into revenue, and purpose into productivity.
A native of East Texas, Dr. Harper’s educational background includes an Ed.D. in Developmental Education from Grambling State University, a M.Ed. and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Instruction from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. A frequent speaker on topics such as educational pathways, career clarity and planning, student-athlete development and empowerment, and the future of higher education, he is an engaged thought leader and trusted catalyst for transformation and intentional success.