May faculty spotlight
Join us in welcoming two outstanding new faculty members who are bringing fresh perspectives, new teaching methods and exciting research to The Citadel. This month, we highlight Assistant Professor of Education Greg Harrison, a native of Darlington, South Carolina, and Assistant Professor of Biology Howard M. (Howie) Huynh, who joins us from Ontario, Canada.
Harrison brings 24 years of K-12 education experience to The Citadel. He served as a high school social studies teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district office administrator before joining the Zucker Family School of Education.
Specializing in educational leadership, Harrison is committed to the power of education. “I became a teacher because of the profound impact one of my high school teachers had on my life,” he said. “Inspired by that experience, I wanted to make a similar difference in the lives of my students. I truly enjoy the relational aspects of teaching and the connections I build with students. I find great happiness in watching them succeed.”
Harrison is also a Citadel alumnus, having earned his master’s degree in secondary education in 2006. “I have always held a deep respect for the college, its mission, and the faculty who profoundly influenced my career,” he said. “Several of my colleagues in the Zucker Family School of Education were once my professors. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on the department and inspire students the way my professors once inspired me.”
Outside the classroom, Harrison enjoys investing in the stock market and focusing on health and wellness. “I am a proud husband and father, and my family is the cornerstone of my life,” he said. “I enjoy swimming, lifting weights, and going on walks with my family.”
Huynh comes to The Citadel with a global perspective and a deep passion for science education. Previously, Huynh served as a TRIA-FoR postdoctoral fellow at Carleton University, where he contributed to a national research initiative focused on forest resilience and pest risk assessment. He also held the Beaty Postdoctoral Fellowship in Species Discovery and Conservation at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa before joining the Department of Biology.
A trained mammalogist and wildlife biologist, Huynh is committed to natural history and science outreach. “Biology pervades every aspect of our lives,” said Huynh. “It’s important to have a proper understanding of this fundamental science—from cell function and genes to ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity conservation. Engaging with and mentoring students and making a positive impact on their education is, by far, the best and most rewarding part of teaching.”
Huynh was drawn to The Citadel because of the strong sense of mission shared among faculty and staff. “I’m honored to join such a distinguished college—especially one with a warm, collegial environment where we inspire and support one another as scholars and educators,” he said.
His immediate goals include redesigning courses like Mammalogy and Global Change Biology to incorporate active learning strategies and scientific skill-building. “I want to enhance classroom interaction, foster discourse and focus on skills like hypothesis testing and scientific communication,” he said. “I’m excited to integrate more of my research into my teaching. In fact, my undergraduate students and I submitted a manuscript for publication right before spring break.”
Outside the lab and classroom, Huynh enjoys traveling, cooking dishes from Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Italian cuisines, and learning new languages. He’s also an avid martial artist, outdoor enthusiast, bridge player and teacher, and is passionate about sharing his many interests with others.
