Ben Parks

Board of Directors

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Human bio: What brings me peace is going for a walk, allowing myself to really feel the sun splashed on my face as the breeze whips around, the birds are chirping and the squirrels are rummaging for food. As I reconnect with nature and intentionally (and literally) unplug from the many obligations every day brings, I find peace in deep breathing or a slow stroll. I use walks as an opportunity for reconnecting with my body, and for a reset of my day. Changing the landscape of my day gives me time and space for myself, forces me to slow down, and allows my brain to wander, all of which brings me peace.

Professional bio: Ben Parks serves as Associate Director for Student Affairs with College Park Scholars at the University of Maryland, providing strategic leadership on intentional community building and all student affairs functions, including student care and well-being; diversity, equity and inclusion; civic and community engagement; and leadership development. He advocates for students and acts as the primary point person for Scholars students in distress. He is the primary advisor for the Student Advisory Board and serves as advisor to Cambridge Community Queers & Allies (CCQA) and Scholars Promoting And Revitalizing Care (SPARC). He is an experienced presenter and facilitator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as the Words of Engagement intergroup dialogue program, and has taught leadership courses on campus.

Parks joined the Scholars community in 2010 after three years as a residence hall coordinator at the University of Iowa. He received his master's in college student personnel from Western Illinois University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's in history and political science from Wartburg College. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education, student affairs and international education policy at UMD.