Faculty focus: Dr. Karen L. Parker, School of Education dean
CAREER
Teacher and administrator in K-12 schools for 16 years prior to coming to LU in 1986
School licensure: Reading Specialist, School Psychologist, Special Education and Vocal/Choral Music
Clinical experience at University of Miami Reading Clinic and Dade County prison and juvenile services
Teacher Education Department Chair for 10 years School of Education Dean since 2000
AWARDS
Phi Delta Kappa International Service Key, Kappan of the Year, Excellence in Research
Kappa Delta Pi Point of Excellence award for community service
International Reading Association President’s Club, and service awards from Virginia State Reading Association and Virginia College Reading Educators
Board member of Virginia State Reading Association for 18 years
National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advisor and Liberty University Advisor of the Year
PRESENTATIONS
More than 100 presentations at state, national and international conferences including the International Reading Association, Council for Exceptional Children, College Reading Association, American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Association of Christian Schools International and the European Literacy Conferences in Berlin, Germany and Braga, Portugal
Professional development and accreditation support for schools and women’s conferences in churches
PUBLICATIONS
Articles published in professional journals, such as The Reading Professor and The College Reading Association Yearbook
EDUCATION
Ed.D. in Reading and Varying Exceptionalities at the University of Miami
M.S. in Reading at Florida International University
B.A. in Music at Tennessee Temple University
PERSONAL
Karen and Leonard live in Lynchburg, Va., and will celebrate their 40th anniversary in Summer 2010. They have four daughters and nine grandchildren join them for Sunday dinner each week after church. The family enjoys singing together and Karen has performed in five musicals at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center.
