Crow's Nest Daily Update - March 3rd, 2021
Park University Shines in Multiple Areas, Focuses on Growth and Community Engagement
In a series of recent developments, Park University has made significant strides across various fields, showcasing its commitment to growth and community engagement.
Academic Recognition and Appointments
An article authored by Samantha Quinn, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication, was published in the Iowa Journal of Communication. Meanwhile, Mohamed Abualhaija, D.B.A., associate professor of accounting, was approved for tenure, and Adrian James, Ph.D., was promoted to associate professor of management and approved for tenure.
Moreover, Park University has been ranked in several lists by Intelligent.com, including Top 49 Logistics Degree Programs, Top 41 Online Master's in Adult Education/Learning Programs, and Top 50 MBA in Information Technology Degree Programs, among others. The university was also listed as the Best for Military History for schools in the State of Missouri.
Athletic and Alumni Achievements
In the athletic sphere, Nada Meawad, a Park University Parkville Campus women's volleyball player, was featured in a story in Al-Haram Hebdo, a French language newspaper in Egypt. Meanwhile, Sophia Pretrick, '94, was one of 12 people honored by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Feb. 23 with a new International Anticorruption Champions Award.
In addition, Crystal Young-Haskins, '07, M.E. '11, was honored with a Legend Among Us Award as part of the sixth annual Arkansas Heritage Celebration of Black History Month. Christopher Boros, '11, and his spouse were featured on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website for earning master's degrees paid through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).
Organizational Changes
The university has also undergone some organizational changes. Kena Wolf was appointed as interim chief operating officer at Park University. Katie Ervin, Ed.D., became the associate vice president of strategic alliances and will lead the expansion of Park's network of academic and employer relationships and noncredit enrollments.
Moreover, Erik Bergrud changed his title to chief strategic communications officer, and the Office of University Engagement was renamed to the Office of Strategic Communications. The Online Operations Team was renamed as the Faculty Administrative Support Team, and Stacy Johnson was promoted to director of FAST.
Upcoming Events
Park University has a series of exciting events lined up for the coming months. These include the International Center for Music Concert on March 5 and 19, a Pianist Behzod Abduraimov concert on March 6 (rescheduled from March 3), Spring I Term ending on March 7, Spring Break from March 8-14, and the William Eickhorst Art Exhibit from March 8-April 23, among others.
Strategic Priorities
Park University's current strategic priorities, as reflected by their organizational direction, focus primarily on significantly increasing overall student enrollment and enhancing academic offerings alongside campus life. The university aims to grow enrollment by 30 percent by 2030 as part of its "Pioneer Vision 2030" strategic plan. This priority is evidenced by their recent record surge in first-year freshman enrollment, increasing by more than 25 percent for the upcoming fall semester, the largest such class in years and a strong sign that their innovative programs and hands-on learning approach are resonating with students despite broader higher education enrollment declines.
Moreover, Park University is committed to aggressive growth as a vibrant institution and as an active community partner in downtown Pittsburgh, indicating organizational efforts to align academic and student experience improvements with community engagement and urban campus development.
- Park University's commitment to education-and-self-development is evident in their academic recognitions such as the publication of Samantha Quinn's article and the promotion of Adrian James, which showcases their dedication to growth and community engagement.
- In the realm of general-news, Sophia Pretrick received the International Anticorruption Champions Award, demonstrating Park University's impact beyond sports and academics, as they foster self-development in various aspects of society.
