Core Faculty

Kari Jo Harris

PhD, MPH Professor of Public Health

Contact

Office: Skaggs Building Room 301
Phone: (406) 243-4685
Email: kari.harris@umontana.edu
Office Hours: By appointment.
Curriculum Vitae: View/Download CV

Personal Summary

Dr. Harris received an M.S. in organizational development from Central Washington University, a Master’s in Public Health from the School of Medicine at the University of Kansas and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas. While pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Harris’ research interests centered on reducing children’s risk of chronic disease through community-wide efforts through an evaluation of the Kansas LEAN School Intervention Projects.

Dr. Harris and her husband, Terry Weidner, the Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center with an expertise on Asian Studies, have a daughter Ming and enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, and wood-working.

Education

Ph.D. Behavioral Psychology, the University of Kansas, 1998
M.P.H. The School of Medicine at the University of Kansas, 1997
M.S. Organizational Development, Central Washington University, 1992
B.A. Psychology, Whitman College, 1987

Courses Taught

Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health

Research Interests

Dr. Harris holds an investigator award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) which supports her research exploring smoking related issues among college students. New grants are extending this research to focus on Montana health concerns.

Field of Study

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs; Food and Nutrition; Physical Activity

Selected Publications

Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS, Catley D, Okuyemi KS, Mayo M, Resnicow K. (2003). Successful recruitment of minorities into clinical trials: The Kick It at Swope Project. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 5(4), 527-536.

Choi WS, Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS, Okuyemi KS. (2003). Predictors of Smoking Initiation among College-bound High School Students. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 26(1), 69-74.

Moyers T, Martin T, Catley D, Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS. (2003). Assessing the integrity of motivational interviewing interventions: Reliability of the Motivational Interviewing Skills Code,. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 31, 177-184.

Gibson CG, Ahluwalia JS, Schmelze KH, Harris KJ, Mayo MS. (2003). Characteristics of quitting among African American smokers. Evidence-Based Preventive Medicine, 1(1), 37-42.

Oakh FA, Okuyemi KS, McCarter SK, Harris KJ, Catley D, Ahluwalia H, Ahluwalia JS. (2003). Predicting adoption of home smoking restrictions by inner-city Black smokers. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 157(12), 1202-1205.

Kaur H, Choi WS, Mayo M, Harris KJ. (2003). Duration of television watching is associated with increased body mass index. The Journal of Pediatrics, 143(4), 506-511.

Huang T-K, Harris KJ, Lee RE, Nazir N, Born W, Kaur H. (2004). Assessing overweight, obesity, diet, and physical activity in college students. Journal of American College Health, 52(2), 83-86.

Harris KJ, Okuyemi KS, Catley D, Mayo MS, Ge B, Ahluwalia JS. (2004). Predictors of smoking cessation among African Americans enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of bupropion. Preventive Medicine, 38, 498-502.

Koontz, JS, Harris KJ, Okuyemi KS, Mosier MC, Grobe J, Nazir N, Ahluwalia JS. (2004). Health Care Providers’ treatment of college smokers. American College Health, 53(3), 117-125.

Richter KP, Choi WS, McCool RM, Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS. (2004). Smoking cessation services in US methadone maintenance facilities. Psychiatric Services, 55(11), 1258-1264.

Huang T-K, Kempf AM, Strother ML, Chaoyang L, Lee RE, Harris KJ, Kaur H. (2004). Overweight and components of the metabolic syndrome in college students. Diabetes Care, 27(12), 3000-3001.

Lee RE, Harris KJ, Catley D, Shostrom V, Choi S, Mayo MS, Okuyemi KS, Ahluwalia H, Ahluwalia JS. (2005). Factors associated with BMI, weight perceptions, and trying to loose weight in African American smokers. Journal of the National Medical Association, 97(1), 53-61.

Manning BM, Catley D, Harris KJ, Mayo MS, Ahluwalia JS. (2005). Stress and quitting among African American smokers. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(4), 325-333.

Catley D, Harris KJ, Okuyemi KS, Mayo MS, Pankey E, Ahluwalia JS. (2005). The influence of depressive symptoms on smoking cessation among African Americans in a randomized trial of bupropion. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 7(6), 859-870.

Jeffries SK, Choi W, Buttler J, Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS. (2005). Strategies for recruiting African Americans of public housing into a randomized controlled trial. Ethnicity and Disease, 15, 773-778.

Carroll SL, Lee RE, Kaur H, Harris KJ, Strother ML, Haung T-K. (2006). Smoking, weight loss intention and obesity-promoting behaviors in college students. Journal of American College of Nutrition, 25(4), 348-353.

Okuyemi KS, Boardman T, Ahluwalia JS. (2006). Adherence to principles of Motivational Interviewing and client within-session behavior. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 34(1), 43-56.

Waters K, Harris KJ, Waigandt A, Nazir N, Hall S. (2006). Characteristics of social smoking among college students. Journal of American College Health, 55(3), 133-139.

Dent L, Harris KJ, Noonan C. (2007). Tobacco Interventions Delivered by Pharmacists: A Summary and Systematic Review. Pharmacotherapy. 27(7), 1040-1051.

Schleicher HE, Harris KJ, Catley D, Harrar SW, & Golbeck AL. (2008). Examination of a brief smoking consequences questionnaire for college students. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 10(9), 1503-1509.

Varvel SJ, Cronk NJ, Harris KJ, & Scott AB. (2008). Adaptation of a Lay Health Advisor model as a recruitment and retention strategy in a clinical trial of college student smokers. Health Promotion Practice.

Angstman S, Schulberg D, Harris KJ, Cochran B, Peterson H. (2009). Use of Quality of Life Inventory for measuring quality of life changes in an inpatient psychiatric population. Psychological Reports. 104, 1-8.

Schleicher HE, Harris KJ, Catley D, & Nazir N. (2009). The role of depression and negative affect regulation expectancies in tobacco smoking among college students. Journal of American College Health, 57(50), 507-512.

Angstman S, Harris KJ, Golbeck AL, Swaney G. (2009). Cultural identification and smoking among American Indian adults in an urban setting. Ethnicity and Health. 3, 1-14.

Dent L, Harris KJ, Noonan C. (2009). Randomized Trial Assessing the Effectiveness of a Pharmacist-Delivered Program for Smoking Cessation. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 43(20< 194-201.

Harris KJ, Golbeck AL, Cronk N, Catley D, Conway K, Williams K. (2009). Timeline follow-back versus global self-reports of tobacco smoking: A comparison of findings with infrequent smokers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23(2), 368-372.

Harris KJ, Stearns JN,* Kovach RG, Harrar SW. (2009). Enforcing an outdoor smoking ban on a college campus: Effects of a multi-component approach. Journal of American College Health, 58(2), 121-26.

Varvel SJ, *Cronk NJ, Harris KJ, & Scott AB. (in press). Adaptation of a Lay Health Advisor model as a recruitment and retention strategy in a clinical trial of college student smokers. Health Promotion Practice. (Health Promot Pract OnlineFirst, published on December 30, 2008 as doi:10.1177/1524839908325065)

Davidson MM, Cronk NJ, Harris KJ, Harrar SW, Catley D, Good GE. (in press). Strategies to recruit and retain college smokers in cessation trials. Research in Nursing and Health.

Publications

Fawcett SB, Paine-Andrews A, Francisco VT, Schultz JA, Richter KP, Lewis RK, Harris KJ, Williams EL, Berkley JY, Lopez CM, Fisher JL. (1996). Empowering community health initiatives through evaluation. In D. Fetterman, A. Wandersman, S. Kaftarian. (Eds.), Empowerment evaluation: Knowledge and tools for self-assessment and accountability. (pp. 161-187). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Fawcett SB, Paine-Andrews A, Francisco VT, Schultz JA, Richter KP, Lewis RK, Williams EL, Harris KJ, Berkley JY, Fisher JL, Lopez CM. (1996). Using empowerment theory in collaborative partnership for community health and development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23, 677-697.

Paine-Andrews A, Vincent M, Fawcett SB, Campuzano MK, Harris KJ, Lewis RK, Williams EW, Fisher JL. (1996). Replicating a community initiative for preventing adolescent pregnancy: From South Carolina to Kansas. Family and Community Health, 19(1), 14-29.

Fawcett SB, Sterling TD, Paine-Andrews A, Harris KJ, Francisco VT, Richter KP, Lewis RK, Schmid TL. (1996). Evaluating community efforts to prevent Cardiovascular Diseases. Atlanta, GA: U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Johnston JA, Marmet PF, Coen FS, Fawcett SB, Harris KJ. (1996). Kansas LEAN: An effective coalition for nutrition education and dietary change. Journal of Nutrition Education, 28, 115-118.

Harris KJ, Richter KP, Paine-Andrews A, James V, Henke L, Johnston J, Lewis R, Fawcett SB. (1997). Community partnerships: A review of selected models and evaluation of two case studies. Journal of Nutrition Education, 29, 189-195.

Harris KJ, Paine-Andrews A, Richter KP, James V, Henke L, Johnston J, Lewis, R, Fawcett SB. (1997). Reducing elementary school children’s risks for chronic diseases through school lunch modifications, nutrition education, and physical activity interventions. Journal of Nutrition Education, 29, 196-202.

Harris KJ, Jerome NW, Fawcett SB. (1997). Rapid Assessment Procedures: A review and critique. Human Organization, 56, 375-378.

Paine-Andrews A, Harris KJ, Fawcett SB, Richter KP, Lewis RK, Francisco VT, Johnston J, Coen S. (1997). Evaluating a statewide partnership for reducing risks for chronic diseases. Journal of Community Health, 22, 343-359.

Fawcett SB, Paine-Andrews A, Francisco VT, Schultz J, Richter KP, Berkley-Patton J, Fisher JL, Lewis RK, Lopez CM, Russos S, Williams E, Harris KJ, Evensen P. (2001). Evaluating community initiatives for health and development. WHO Regional Publications. European Series, 92, 241-270.

Ransom M, Harris KJ. (1997). Program: PHASEc/s—Promoting health and sexuality through community and school. Health Education and Behavior, 24, 679-680.

Harris KJ, Richter KP, Schultz J, Johnston J. (1998). Formative, process, and intermediate outcome evaluation of a pilot school-based 5 A Day for Better Health Project. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12(6), 378-81.

Fisher JL, Harris KJ, Ransom MV, Paine-Andrews A, Pulliam S. (1998). Increasing access to contraceptives: On the map and in the bag. American Journal of Public Health, 88(8), 1248-1249.

Paine-Andrews A, Fawcett SB, Richter KP, Harris KJ, Lewis RK, Berkley JY, Fisher JL, Lopez CM, Francisco VT, Williams EL. (1998). Using empowerment evaluation methods to enhance community initiatives for adolescent health. In R. H. MacNair. (Ed) Research strategies for community practice, Monograph supplement #1 to Journal of Community Practice.

Ransom M, Harris KJ. (1999). Involving schools in a community adolescent pregnancy project. Journal of Health Education, 30(2).

Paine-Andrews A, Harris KJ, Lewis RK, Fisher JF, Williams EL, Fawcett SB, Vincent M. (1999). Effects of a replication of a school/community model for preventing adolescent pregnancy in three Kansas communities. Family Planning Perspectives, 31(4),182-189.

Paine-Andrews A, Fisher JF, Harris KJ, Lewis RK, Williams EL, Vincent M, Fawcett SB, Campuzano MK. (1999). Some experiential lessons in supporting and evaluating community-based for preventing adolescent pregnancy. Health Promotion Practice, 1(1), 66-76.

Richter KP, Harris KJ, Paine-Andrews A, Fawcett SB, Lankenau B, Schmid TL, Johnston JA. (2000). Assessing environmental outcomes in community initiatives for physical activity and nutrition among youth. Preventive Medicine, 31(2), Part 2 of 2, S98-S111.

Okuyemi KS, Ahluwalia JS, Harris KJ. (2000). Pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation. Archives of Family Medicine, 9, 270-281.

Pederson LL, Ahluwalia JS, Harris KJ, McGrady G. (2000). Smoking cessation in African Americans: What We Know and Do not know about interventions and self-quitting. Preventive Medicine, 31, 23-38.

Jolicoeur DG, Ahluwalia JS, Richter KP, Mosier M, Harris KJ, Gibson C, Moranetz CA. (2000). The use of nicotine patches with minimal intervention. Preventive Medicine, 30(6), 504-12.

Vincent M, Paine-Andrews A, Fisher J, Devereaux R, Gonyea H, Harris KJ, Reininger B. (2000). Replication of a community-based multi-component teen pregnancy prevention model: Realities and challenges. Family and Community Health, 23(3), 28-46.

Lewis RK, Paine-Andrews A, Custard C, Stauffer M, Harris KJ, Fisher KJ. (2001). Are parents in favor or against school-based sexuality education? A report from the Midwest. Health Promotion Practice, 2(2), 155-161.

Harris KJ. (2001). Promoting health and strengthening professional organizations: Award winning health education, promotion, and communication materials. Health Education and Behavior, 28(2), 125-126.

Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS, Okuyemi KS, Woods MN, Turner JR, Resnicow K, Backinger CL. (2001). Addressing cultural sensitivity in a smoking cessation intervention: Development of the Kick It at Swope project. Journal of Community Psychology, 29(4), 447-458.

Woods MN, Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS, Schmelzle KH, Mayo MS. (2001). Smoking in urban African Americans: Behaviors, gender differences, and motivation to quit. Ethnicity and Disease, 11(3), 532-539.

Okuyemi KS, Harris KJ, Ahluwalia JS, Wallace DD. (2001). Documentation of Smoking: Role of Age, Gender, and Ethnicity. Journal of the Association for Academic Minority Physicians, 12(3), 125-128.

Paine-Andrews A, Fisher JL, Berkely PJ, Fawcett SB, Williams EL, Lewis RK, Harris KJ. (2002). Analyzing the contribution of community change to population health outcomes in an adolescent pregnancy prevention initiative. Health Education and Behavior, 29(2), 183-93.

Ahluwalia JS, Dang KS, Choi WS, Harris KJ. (2002). Smoking Behaviors and Regular Source of Health Care Among African Americans. Preventive Medicine, 34, 393-396.

Choi WS, Ahluwalia JS, Harris KJ, Okuyemi KS. (2002). Progression to established smoking: the influence of tobacco marketing. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 22(4), 228-233.

Okuyemi KS, Harris KJ, Scheibmeir M, Choi WS, Powell J, Ahluwalia JS. (2002). Light smokers: Issues and recommendations. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 4(4), supplement 2, 103-112.

Woods MN, Harris KJ, Mayo MS, Catley D, Scheibmeir M, Ahluwalia JS. (2002). Participation of African Americans in a smoking cessation trial: A quantitative and qualitative study. Journal of the National Medical Association, 94(7), 609-618.

Ahluwalia JS, Harris KJ, Catley D, Okuyemi KS, Mayo M. (2002). Sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation in African Americans: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 288(4), 497-499.