This year’s Excellence in Faculty Service Award winner’s service to Southeastern spans many areas. In fact, Jerry Parker’s service activities have included numerous assignments and committee memberships. These have ranged from serving as an administrative advisor to serving as chair or project leader on some of the most important committees of the university.
Besides his service to the Department of World Languages and Cultures, Parker’s service to the university includes the Instructional Technology Committee, the Diversity and Inclusion Council, the General Education Assessment and Innovation Committee, the University Branding Committee, the Technology Advisory Committee, the Faculty Senate, the Anti-Hazing Education Response Team, the Vice-President of Student Affairs Hazing Prevention Task Force, the Student Conduct Board Committee, and the Title IX Sub-Committee Hearing Board.
Former World Languages and Cultures Department Head Lucia Harrison said Parker’s strong leadership has not gone unnoticed outside of Southeastern. He was selected by the University of Louisiana System to serve in the Black Male Advisory Council, the 2022-2023 UL System Management and Leadership Institute, and the System Mental Health Advisory Council for the 2023-2024 academic year, for which he was chosen because of his dedication to promoting mental health and well-being.
Harrison explained that Parker’s reputation, expertise and organizational skills, his fairness and excellent judgement have been recognized by the state of Louisiana as well. He served in the Southeastern Louisiana Educational Leadership Council, and he was president of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. Nationally, he has been selected as a member of the American Association of Teachers of French Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion; the American Association of Teachers of French Commission on Universities; and the American Association of Teachers of French Commission on Teacher Retention and Recruitment.
“Dr. Parker is a natural leader but modest and even-tempered,” Harrison added. “His professional and personal qualities have always contributed to his being an invaluable asset to the service efforts of our institution, and his endeavors have benefited and continue to benefit the university and the community at large.”
Parker said that through his service activity during his tenure at Southeastern he has been able to make an impact on many students, faculty and staff members in a diverse and inclusive way.
“I have truly worked to demonstrate that service is a heartfelt duty of faculty members to their institution and, regardless of rank, everyone can and should be of service to show their dedication to and pride for the institution and their respective fields of study,” he said.
