Steven Parker was recently named campus diversity officer at Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College.
Parker was the assistant dean of intercultural education at Bates College in Maine, and is currently a doctoral student for post-secondary education at the University of Northern Iowa.
“I am eager to embrace institutional and community partners to better move this work forward for all,” he said. “By creating more equitable, diverse and inclusive realities we will not only impact the lives of underrepresented, marginalized and minoritized people, but we will also positively impact the lives of the majority. Together, we can move forward. Together, we can heal.”
“We are fortunate to find someone with such a strong background in student affairs,” BSU and NTC President Faith C. Hensrud said. “His experience working alongside diverse bodies of students including LGBTQ+, first-generation and historically marginalized will be invaluable our campuses and I’m excited to welcome him into our community.”
“I am looking forward to collaborating with the brilliant minds of students, faculty, staff and community members. The more think-partners, the better regarding this work,” Parker said. “I am looking forward to making sustainable change that will lead to more equitable, diverse and inclusive systems and policy.”
Parker holds a bachelor’s in social work from St. Cloud State and a master’s in leadership from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. He will begin his new post April 12.
