Parker Joins 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as Director of New Child Care Connections Program
Staff headshot of Shanna Parker, Director of Child Care Connections, Student Retention Initiatives
Shanna Parker has been named the director of a new program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that is helping to connect parents with the child care resources they need to be successful in school.
As director of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Child Care Connections program, Parker is responsible for enrolling eligible students in a program that provides federal child care funding for low-income students, assisting students with finding resources to meet their child care needs, and making student referrals for resources across campus.
Parker is also responsible for implementing the requirements of a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) four-year grant of $581,128 from the U.S. Department of Education that is providing funding to help eligible 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students with child care expenses.
鈥淢s. Parker is a stellar addition to the Student Retention Initiatives Team and brings years of expertise in early childhood care and development,鈥� said Heather Reed, director of Student Retention Initiatives at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淗er experience working within other 糖心Vlog传媒 system schools made her the perfect candidate to build the Child Care Connections program and administer the CCAMPIS grant. She will provide consultation services to any enrolled student regarding child care services in the state, she will administer the grant program, and connect students to campus and community services to ensure their success both as a student and a parent. We are grateful to have her energy and passion for quality child care on our team.鈥�
A native of Pine Bluff, Parker brings a wide variety of experience in early childhood education and higher education. She is a trainer, mentor, coach, advocate, and administrator for students, parents, and staff in early childhood education.
鈥淎s the new Child Care Connections director, I hope to make a difference in the educational experience of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淚 want our students to have the support needed to be successful in achieving their educational goals.鈥�
Prior to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, she worked for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for six years, where she served in various capacities, including interim Early Head Start director. In addition, Parker has worked for the University of Arkansas for Medical Science鈥檚 Head Start/Early Head Start, serving as site director and as family service advocate.
Parker鈥檚 passion and drive for student success come from being a first-generation graduate who has overcome many obstacles and is grateful for the people who helped her graduate.
鈥淚 am who I am because someone cared,鈥� she said.
Parker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family sciences from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a Master of Science in business with a focus on human resources from Purdue University. She is also pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University and is expected to graduate in 2023.
