Just in time for the 2020 elections, Belk College of Business Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) candidate Kim Harris has launched a new voter outreach website.
Clear The Air is a nonpartisan website focused on informing and encouraging voter participation. The website empowers users to make an informed decision through a simple checklist to develop a personalized voting plan. The initiative also provides direct access to:
- Voter registration
- Registration confirmation
- Election dates
- Deadlines
- Resources specific to the user’s state
“Clear The Air was inspired by the snowball of experiences provided by the COVID-19 and civil unrest environment,” Harris says. “After witnessing and feeling the effects of this environment, I felt compelled to do something. I kept saying ‘I've got to do something. I've got to do something.’ So, this is one of the best ways I could think to contribute to our society.”
Harris’ strengths as a doctorate student pivot around bringing evidence-based operations and processes to others in the community. Clear The Air is a strong, civic-centered application of that strength.
By using her unique skill set to encourage community activism and engagement through her initiative, not only has Harris identified a way to contribute to the local community in Charlotte, but she has also elevated her impact to support the shared community on a national level.
“Essentially, I was trying to solve the problem of prioritizing voting in our chaotic environment. The increased needs of workers, the drive of civil unrest (people are protesting, facing displacement and evictions), and the precaution efforts to avoid COVID-19 contraction provided less time for people to focus on voting. As a matter of fact, we started to see an increase in absentee ballot demands nationwide because people either were pressed for time or wanted to shield themselves from unnecessary virus exposure. So, I felt it would be helpful to present a virtual solution － by bringing voting resources to them,” Harris says. “I felt I had a civic duty, and time was of the essence.”
"This was taken during one of our DBA residencies. I'm wearing a shirt designed by my cohort. We all have one!” － Kim Harris, DBA Class of 2022
As several DBA scholars have experienced, the doctoral program inspires them to strategically understand business and societal challenges, and expand on research skills and activate solutions. This often evolves as an entrepreneurial venture. As Harris shares in her own experience, “I have become interested in entrepreneurship since becoming a scholar in the DBA program. I felt more driven to begin a legacy of my own. Something meaningful. So, Clear The Air is an initiative of a broader business plan.”
Harris is one of many students who have taken advantage of the opportunities that the DBA program offers. The Belk College looks forward to the growth and success of Harris’ civic initiative.
Green and Gold Drive Business
The Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte has been driving business for more than 50 years. Established in 1970, the college offers outstanding business education programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and executive levels. The Belk College is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 4,600 students, over 100 full-time faculty, and more than 33,000 alumni. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina's urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.