FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Following an "extensive nationwide search," a candidate has been selected to serve as the fifth president of Bristol Community College. The Bristol Community College Board of Trustees recommended the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education appoint Dr. Sedgwick L. Harris in December. Bristol Community College announced Tuesday that the board unanimously approved Harris as the next president of the college. ALSO READ: Free community college coming to Massachusetts 12 News spoke to Harris just hours after he was approved for the role. He said he's excited to get to work, especially given the college's solid foundation. "You don't want to go into a money pit, and that is far from what I'm walking into at Bristol Community College," Harris said. "The team there is a is a group of individuals who cared a lot and cared deeply about the institution." Harris has worked in higher education for more than 25 years. He is currently serving as vice president of administrative affairs at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. "I can't wait to jump in and roll my sleeves up," Harris said. "Get in there with the academic affairs area, as well as the student affairs and enrollment management, to see how my experiences can actually assist in looking at how we can broaden our horizons." Harris described himself as a "proud" community college graduate and noted how his experience helps him relate to his students. "My parents sent me to a community college. It is what we could afford at the time, and I took that opportunity to learn and and turned that into what I have to become today," Harris explained. A Michigan native, Harris is eager to get involved with both the school and the community. "Learning more about, the area, the rich traditions that they have there, the culture that's there ... one thing I am is a foodie. I'm looking forward to some of the foods that I'll be able to taste there," Harris said with a smile. Bristol Community College's Vice President for Administration and Finance Steven Kenyon is serving as interim president until Harris can step into his new role in early March. NEXT: College tuition has fallen significantly at many schools Harris is working closely with both Kenyon and his predecessor Dr. Laura Douglas. "I think all the presidents have had their opportunities to step beyond what I think some of the communities think a community college should be, to show them that we're more than just a community college," Harris said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW