Faculty Spotlight

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DR. KAREN L. PARKER

DR. MICHELLE GOODWIN, ED.D.

The School of Education would like to honor Dr. Karen L. Parker, Dean Emeritus, who retired from her service at Liberty University on June 30, 2022. Dr. Parker served for over 35 years in the School of Education. Dr. Parker earned an Ed.D. in Reading and Varying Exceptionalities at the University of Miami, an M.S. in Reading at Florida International University, and a B.A. in Music at Tennessee Temple University. She is licensed as a reading specialist, special educator, and school psychologist. Dr. Parker ministered as a teacher and administrator in K-12 Christian schools for 16 years and then accepted a faculty position at Liberty University in 1986. She served ten years at Liberty as the Teacher Education Department Chair before her appointment as Dean of the School of Education in 1999.

While dean, the School of Education’s candidate enrollment grew from hundreds to thousands, and through her visionary leadership and expertise of the accreditation process, the School of Education obtained national accreditation through NCATE — the gold standard of accreditation for teacher education — for the first time in school history. The School of Education proudly continues its nationally accredited status to this day through CAEP and ACSI from the incredible legacy she has provided. Dr. Parker has faithfully committed to the School of Education’s mission to prepare competent professionals with a biblical worldview, and the School of Education has created an award in her honor: the Dr. Karen L. Parker Future Educator Excellence Award. This award is given annually at Commencement to one graduate from an initial-licensure program, and the recipient is chosen for his or her academic excellence, Christian testimony, exemplary leadership and work ethic, organizational and instructional skills, and outstanding service to the Teacher Education Department. The School of Education celebrated Dr. Parker’s retirement with a luncheon on May 12, 2022, themed “Retiring on a Happy Note” to highlight her many accomplishments. At the event, Dr. Parker was awarded the ACSI Career Service Award in recognition of 52 years of faithful service in Christian education.