Parker University receives John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership

Parker University is the fastest-growing college in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, reports the American City Business Journal. Not only that, but Parker is also the fourth fastest growing college in the state of Texas. At a time when the average five-year growth rate for colleges in Texas was 9 percent for the 68 colleges compared, Parker University grew by 46 percent.

To fuel this growth, Parker has expanded upon its initial offering of a Doctor of Chiropractic degree to include new degrees such as neuroscience, functional nutrition, anatomy, strength and human performance, and more. With a mission to help communities achieve a higher level of health, Parker’s growing academic programs have clearly resonated with potential university students.

In February of this year, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), the premier organization representing higher education governing boards nationwide, announced that Parker University Board of Trustees was one of six boards which had been selected to receive the 2019-2020 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership.  Parker’s board has demonstrated outstanding leadership, which has enabled the school to thrive.

When the university experienced severe damage following a tornado that hit Dallas in October of 2019, the Parker University Board of Trustees immediately deployed resources to restore operations. Because of their swift and decisive work, the school successfully devised a plan that met at the crossroads of restoration and growth. The immediate action taken by the trustees demonstrated their commitment to the students. This inspirational show of leadership resulted in minimized downtime, enabling students to resume their course of study without serious interruption.

President of Parker University, William E. Morgan, DC, said this about the board’s response after the tornado, “To some who viewed the destruction of the tornado, it seemed as though our instruction was finished. But the board of trustees who possess a spirit of courage and perseverance saw the possibilities and a vision for a renewed Parker University.”

Additionally, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) stated, “Prior to this, the board had already shown decisive leadership in enabling the transition from a small single program college to a fully comprehensive university. The board overcame internal challenges to become more focused and successfully developed a new strategic plan that inspired a spirit of adventure and exploration at the university.”

With a commitment to providing an outstanding chiropractic education and a mission to create highly qualified and respected professionals in science, business, education, and health-related disciplines, Parker University continues to move forward in the pursuit of higher health.

About Parker University

Parker University (parker.edu) was founded in 1982 by James W. Parker, DC, originally as Parker College of Chiropractic. In 2011, the name was changed as its curriculum expanded. Today, Parker University has 1,600 students and 29 academic programs, including its famed chiropractic program along with master’s degrees in neuroscience, clinical neuroscience, and functional nutrition. Currently, Parker University’s chiropractic cohort is the second largest of any campus in the world.

About the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)

The AGB is the premier membership organization that strengthens higher education governing boards and the strategic roles they serve within their organizations. Through their vast library of resources, educational events, and consulting services, and with nearly 100 years of experience, AGB empowers 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations to navigate complex issues, implement leading practices, streamline operations, and govern with confidence. AGB is the trusted resource for board members, chief executives, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership.