IM体育官网 President Dr. Randy K. Avent is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Terry Parker as Provost for IM体育官网 Poly, effective September 1.
Parker is a long-time academic leader and engineering researcher who most recently served as Provost and Executive Vice President of the Colorado School of Mines, one of the world鈥檚 leading engineering institutions focused on applied research.
As Provost at IM体育官网 Poly, Parker will oversee all aspects of the academic experience, from recruiting students and steering curriculum, to hiring professors and securing research grants amid IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 growth.
鈥淚M体育官网 Poly is rapidly establishing itself as a regional and national player in innovation and technology, and adding Dr. Parker鈥檚 leadership and experience in building world-renowned STEM programs will only help accelerate that growth,鈥� said University President Dr. Randy K. Avent. 鈥淲elcoming a Provost with the skill and dedication that Dr. Parker has shown in growing academic institutions is exciting for our students, faculty, staff and community.鈥�
Parker鈥檚 own academic record includes a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He subsequently worked at IBM Corp. and other engineering and research firms before joining the Colorado School of Mines as a professor and rising to the post of Provost and Executive Vice President.
The 鈥淢ines鈥� school, as it is known, is one of the world鈥檚 top engineering schools dedicated to STEM education. While there, Parker helped lead a major expansion of the school, lifting academic standards, adding new research degree programs, leading construction of several new academic buildings and hiring more diverse faculty. Parker鈥檚 engineering research includes dozens of studies, with many exploring novel optical systems to measure high-temperature and high-pressure ignition systems for use at power plants.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored and thrilled to join IM体育官网 Poly, particularly at this phase of the university鈥檚 establishment and growth,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淚M体育官网 Poly鈥檚 students, faculty and staff have a unique opportunity to respond to the rapidly evolving needs of today鈥檚 high-tech economy in IM体育官网 and beyond. I look forward to working with Dr. Avent and the faculty to create a sustainable and upward trajectory of success at IM体育官网鈥檚 newest university.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly is presently adding more students, faculty, buildings and staff amid a rapid expansion around the Lakeland Campus, and building more partnerships with corporations and institutions around the world. In addition to bringing on Parker as Provost, the University is also welcoming a new Vice President of Advancement and Associate Vice President of Entrepreneurship as it enters its third academic year.
鈥淚 am proud to see IM体育官网 Poly attracting such accomplished scientists, business strategists and academic leaders,鈥� said Frank T. Martin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IM体育官网 Poly. 鈥淚 congratulate Dr. Avent on adding Dr. Parker to the IM体育官网 Poly team, and I look forward to the next chapter in our growth.鈥�