During his tenure as department chairperson, at MSU the research, teaching and outreach activities of the faculty were significantly strengthened. He guided successful ABET accreditation of the MSU civil engineering undergraduate program in 1998 and 2004. He helped build an engineering study-abroad program in Russia, which is now one of the largest study-abroad programs at MSU. He was closely involved in the planning, construction, and fundraising for the 12,200 sq. ft. Civil Infrastructure Laboratory at MSU which facilitates the testing of structures and pavements, and includes a Structural Fire Testing Facility. He interacted with private, government, legislative, and university personnel to establish the first National Center for Pavement Preservation at MSU in 2003.

Dr. Harichandran is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He has chaired the ASCE Department Heads Council Executive Committee, has served on the ASCE Body of Knowledge II Committee charged with refining the body of knowledge for future civil engineers, and on the ASCE Committee on Academic Prerequisites for Professional Practice. He also serves on the Dynamics and Probabilistic Methods technical committees of the ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute.

Dr. Harichandran helped establish the Michigan Transportation Research Board in 2005 and served as its inaugural chairperson.