By Sentinel Staff
The New Canaan Board of Education voted unanimously this week to appoint Dr. Raquel Harrison to fill a vacant seat on the board, following a two-week selection process that Board Chairman Phil Hogan described as “thoughtful and thorough.”
The vacancy was created by the resignation of Matt Campbell on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. At the board’s prior meeting on Dec. 1, Hogan publicly announced the opening and invited residents to express interest. According to Hogan, the response from the community was strong.
“We received several [indications of interest], and we thank everyone who threw their hat in the ring,” Hogan said. “We hope they feel like their candidacies were given the attention they deserved.”
Hogan said the process involved active participation from all board members, including “countless meetings and phone calls,” and concluded with parallel caucuses over the weekend before the board reconvened to make a collaborative decision.
“I think we’re a better and more cohesive board having gone through this process the way we did,” he said.
After deliberations, the board selected Dr. Harrison, whom Hogan said “differentiated herself and proved to be the best fit for the board at this time.”
Dr. Harrison, the daughter of Cuban refugees, has lived in New Canaan for nearly 12 years with her husband, Scott, and their three children. Two of their daughters, Hannah and Sarah, attend Saxe Middle School, and their youngest daughter, Maddie, attends South Elementary School.
Her academic and professional background includes undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, medical school at Cornell University, and a residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. She spent five years as an assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine and previously worked as an emergency room physician in Bridgeport.
In New Canaan, Dr. Harrison has served for the past two years on the Health and Human Services Commission. She is also a co-founder of New Canaan Unplugged, an organization that supports families in navigating the challenges of modern technology use. In addition, she frequently lectures on lifestyle medicine at the New Canaan Library and for New Canaan Cares.
Her community involvement also extends to athletics and youth programs. Dr. Harrison is a former head junior varsity girls basketball coach at New Canaan High School, a former assistant coach for the girls varsity team, and a volunteer with Young Life, a faith-based youth organization.
“I’ve asked around, and everything Raquel gets involved in, she seems to make better,” Hogan said. He cited her “even-keeled temperament, evidence-based approach, and positive can-do attitude” as qualities the board needs.
Board Secretary Erica Schwedel echoed those sentiments, noting the positive feedback she has heard from community members who have worked with Dr. Harrison.
“She’s thoughtful, she’s collaborative, and she’s an excellent communicator,” Schwedel said. “She’s already demonstrated deep commitment to New Canaan, and I look forward, along with others, to having her expertise and insight on the Board of Ed.”
Following the comments, Hogan made a motion to appoint Dr. Harrison to serve out the remainder of Campbell’s term. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
With the vote complete, Hogan welcomed Dr. Harrison to the board before moving on to the next item on the meeting agenda.
“Congratulations, Dr. Harrison,” he said. “Welcome to the Board of Education.”
