Dr. Kitty Harris Wilkes is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied and Professional Studies at Texas Tech University and holds the George C. Miller Family Regent’s Professorship.  Since 2002, she has served as the Director of the Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery (CSAR). 

Dr. Harris Wilkes has been on the faculty of Texas Tech University since 1988 where she has also served as Co-Director of the Center for Prevention and Resiliency (CPR) since 1995.  Both centers are located in the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech. As Director of the CSAR, Dr. Harris Wilkes has been responsible for securing three federal grant awards and is credited with bringing over $5 million in private foundation and individual awards to this program. 

Under the leadership of Dr. Harris Wilkes, the CSAR current manages all clinical operations of the Ranch at Dove Tree, a substance abuse residential and intensive outpatient treatment facility.  As Co-Director of the CPR, Dr. Harris Wilkes has formed a unique corporate partnership between the university and United Supermarkets to create the United Future Leaders program targeted at elementary and middle school children.  In addition, she has worked with other faculty to develop academic coursework in addiction and recovery issues culminating in the addition of a new major at Texas Tech University titled Community, Family, and Addiction Services.

Dr. Harris Wilkes is currently working on a book manuscript and has published numerous articles and other resources dealing with addiction and recovery in higher education.  She received her Master’s Degree in Speech Communication from University of North Texas in 1974 and her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University in 1983.  Dr. Harris Wilkes currently holds LCDC and LMFT licenses.  She has private clinical experience working with adult and adolescent populations and has taught in the areas of Applied and Professional Studies, Human Development and Family Studies, and Educational and Counseling Psychology.