Carol Sheffey Parham Appointed Chair of President’s Commission on Women’s Issues

Carol Parham

COLLEGE PARK, MD (May 2008) – Professor of Practice Carol Sheffey Parham has been named the new chair of the University of Maryland's President's Commission on Women's Issues for 2008-2010.

"The President's Commission on Women's Issues brings together a dedicated team of individuals whose commitment to addressing the issues affecting the community of women at the University of Maryland is unquestionable," said Parham. "It is with great honor and humility that I accept the mantle of leading and facilitating the important work of the Commission."

No stranger to leadership roles, Parham served as superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) for over eight years. The first woman to hold this position and the first African American, she was the chief school officer for a 75,000 student school system, providing leadership to more than 8,000 employees. AACPS is the fifth largest school district in Maryland and the 43^rd largest in the nation.

A faculty member and interim associate chair of the College of Education's Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education, Parham has worked to design and implement a field-based doctoral program in partnership with the Montgomery County Public Schools. The resulting Maryland Program for Excellence in Leadership (MPEL) is now in its fifth year and has two operational cohorts.

During her professional career, Parham has received many honors and recognitions, including being named Maryland Superintendent of the Year in 1996, three-time selection as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women by Warfield's Business Record, induction into the University of Maryland chapter of the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, and the dedication of the Dr. Carol Sheffey Parham Building as the administrative headquarters of AACPS.

Parham graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education from the University of Maryland College of Education, where she later earned her Doctorate of Education. She received a Master of Arts degree in Education and Counseling as well as an Advanced Studies Degree in Education Administration from The Johns Hopkins University.

Parham succeeds Donna Wiseman, dean of the College of Education, who served as the Commission's chair for the academic year 2007-2008. During her tenure as Commission chair, Parham stated that she hopes "to build on the work and the foundation established by previous chairs and specifically new endeavors started under the astute leadership of Dr. Donna Wiseman."