LaVasa Parks, Ed.D.

Dr. LaVasa Parks  is the director of the Upward Bound Program at Fort Valley State University. In this role, she leads college preparation for students from low-income families and families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. She is responsible for administering federal funds associated with the program and reporting on its effectiveness. Under Parks leadership, FVSU operates both summer and academic year programming.

Prior to her current role, Parks served as assistant director for the FVSU Upward Bound Program. Previously, she worked as a social services case manager for the Department of Family and Children Services in Warner Robins, GA. There, she helped clients work through issues such as personal and family adjustments, finances, employment, food, clothing, housing, and physical and mental illnesses or impairments She also worked as a social services technician at the River Edge Behavior Health Center in Macon, GA and a shift supervisor at Hodac, Inc. in Warner Robins, GA, where she counseled individuals and families dealing with substance abuse problems.

Ms. Parks earned Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Fort Valley State University and a Master of Science degree in adult education from Troy University. She also earned a Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) certification.

Ms. Parks is highly engaged with the community and in her professional field. She has served as a mentor with the Boys and Girls Club and worked with the Ronald McDonald House and Susan G. Coleman Foundation. She has won numerous awards, including three receipts of the FVSU Office of Sponsored Programs Excellence in Grantsmanship recognition. She is a member of the Council for Opportunity in Education, Southern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP), and Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP), and American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE). She has also served on numerous university

committees.