MSU announces historic hire for new police chief

Morehead State University will officially name Jessica Harris (Class of 2015, 2022) as chief of police on May 1, marking a historic and deeply personal milestone in a career defined by service, mentorship and perseverance.

Harris, who has served as interim chief since September 2024, will become the first female police chief in MSU history and one of only a few women to hold such a position at a Kentucky university.

“I am proud to have been named chief,” Harris said. “Throughout my career, I have always tried to represent the University and this department in the best light possible. I owe a lot to Morehead State University, and it has become my home.”

Harris began her career in law enforcement in 2005 as a school resource officer with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. She later served as a road deputy before joining the MSU Police Department in 2011.

She was promoted to sergeant in 2021 and took on increased responsibilities following the retirement of the department’s captain in 2023. When former Chief Merrell Harrison retired in 2024, Vice President for Student Affairs Russell Mast appointed Harris interim chief.

“I am fortunate throughout my career to have had numerous mentors and supervisors who have believed in me and always gone the extra mile to teach me skills that would benefit me in the future,” Harris said.

Her ties to the University run deep. Harris is not only an alumna, holding a bachelor's degree in criminology from MSU, but her mother, Reda, worked at the campus police department from 1985 to 1996.

“If it hadn’t been for her, I probably would never have thought of law enforcement as a career,” Harris said. “She facilitated my contact with the former sheriff of Montgomery County, who took the chance and hired me as a deputy.”

Those mentors instilled a sense of purpose and confidence in Harris, encouraging her to pursue additional training and embrace leadership opportunities. Now, she brings that same focus to the future of MSUPD.

“My plan as chief of MSUPD is to continue with our legacy of being one of the safest campuses in Kentucky,” Harris said. “I would like our officers to not only offer safety and security, but to also provide our students with the education and resources they need to be productive members of society.”

Her new role places her in a tiny group of women who have led a university police department in Kentucky. She follows only two known predecessors: Rebecca Langston at the University of Kentucky and Stephanie Bastin at Kentucky State University.

“Being the first female chief at MSU is significant,” she said. “There are so few female law enforcement officers in Kentucky as a whole, it shows that women are not only as capable as their male counterparts, but we face challenges with a different perspective and approach leadership with a different lens.”

She praised MSUPD and the University for fostering an environment where female officers are respected and given equal opportunity.

“It speaks well for a university that recognizes that the knowledge and strength required to be the chief of police can come from anyone if they have cultivated a desire to serve their community,” Harris said.

Beyond campus safety, Harris was recently honored at the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships in Evansville, Indiana, as part of the Hoops for Heroes program. The initiative, typically reserved for veterans, expanded in 2025 to include first responders. Harris was nominated by Morehead State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) after the athletic department's successful fundraising effort.

“I was incredibly honored to participate in the OVC's Hoops for Heroes program,” Harris said. “The SAAC committee choosing to recognize my efforts really touched my heart and let me know that even when you don't know you're making an impact, you don't go unnoticed.”

As Harris prepares for her new role, she remains grounded in the values that brought her here: service, mentorship and a genuine care for the campus community.

“I have always cared deeply for the University and the community of Morehead,” she said. “I hope to be able to make a positive impact on our students while serving in this role.”

For more information about the MSUPD, email them at police@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2035.