David Parks honored with emeritus status
David Parks, professor of educational leadership and policy studies in the School of Education in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the “professor emeritus” title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1971, Parks authored or co-authored numerous journal articles and book chapters. He has served as a reviewer and editorial board member for educational leadership journals and has presented scores of papers at state, regional, and national conferences and meetings. Parks has provided consultation and field service to school districts, state departments of education, universities, foundations, and professional organizations.
Parks is widely known and respected for his commitment to the development of the management and leadership skills of aspiring and practicing school administrators. He has developed the preparation program for school principals and supervisors, and he wrote and published a handbook for principal interns and mentors.
In the classroom, Parks has taught thousands of master’s and doctoral students who now hold leadership positions in PK-12 school systems, professorships in universities, and positions in departments of education throughout the United States. He successfully directed the doctoral studies of 137 students, several of whom won national awards for excellence in research.
Parks has worked with the Danforth Foundation, the National Alliance for Educational Administration, the National Policy Board for Educational Administration, and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council in the development and application of standards for school leaders.
He received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York College at Potsdam, a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburg, and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University.
