Planning Ahead

Gordon Names Michael Parker, 'One of the Most Trusted People on Campus,' Interim Director of University Planning

November 11, 2008

By Pamela McLaren

President Milton A. Gordon has named Michael C. Parker, emeritus chief information technology officer and professor of counseling, as interim director of university planning. The appointment was effective Oct. 31.

Gordon announced the appointment during his Oct. 23 State of the University address before the Academic Senate.

“He is one of the most trusted people on campus,” Gordon said about Parker. “It’s great to have him back.”

The announcement came as Gordon discussed the need to update the university’s mission and goals to meet the increasing needs of the campus. Even with this year's tough budget situation, which is expected to continue next year, “We must ensure excellence in every decision,” Gordon noted. “CSUF must continue to strengthen academic programs and our centers of excellence to ultimately enhance the learning experience of our students.”

Among the ways to accomplish this is through planning, said Gordon.

The director of university planning — a newly created position — is responsible for managing and coordinating a comprehensive and ongoing university strategic planning process that further advances Cal State Fullerton’s commitment to excellence. The process must integrate current planning activities and key constituents, as well as align campus goals, priorities, decision-making and resource allocation. The director of university planning also is expected to measure planning outcomes and monitor progress of the strategic plan, according to the position description.

Parker, who retired in 2005 after 31 years of campus service, has taken up this new role, as a retired annuitant. He joined the campus in 1974 as an assistant professor of counseling and moved up the tenure ranks to full professorship. He served as chair of his department from 1980-84, then was named associate dean for the then School of Human Development and Community Service. In 1993, he was named the school’s acting dean, a position he held for three years.

During 1996-97, Parker became the acting academic technology officer on campus, assisting the chief information technology officer, the chief financial officer and the vice president for academic affairs in implementing Gordon’s Blueprint for Technology. He also served as chair of the President’s Steering Committee to Implement a Common Desktop Environment and developed the university’s Baseline Access to Technology initiatives for 1996 and 1997.

In 1997, Parker was named acting chief information technology officer, a role made permanent in 2000. During his five-year tenure as CITO, Parker led the development of a Web-based registration system and online phone directory. Working with the chief financial officer and the IT staff, Parker was involved in the redesign and upgrade of the campus network and mainframe computing and initiated a help desk service. He also served on the President’s Administrative Board.

Parker served as the campus representative to and later chair of the Chancellor’s Office Information Technology Advisory Committee and represented the CSU as a member of the IMS Global Learning Consortium, an international task force to specify Internet standards for worldwide distance education.

Parker earned his doctorate in education at Claremont Graduate School and holds a bachelor's degree and master’s in counseling from San Diego State University.