UF to University of Louisville, first-generation college student Dr. David Parrott began his education at Western Kentucky University where he earned his bachelor's degree in business education and his teacher certification in business education. Shortly thereafter, Parrott earned his Master of Arts from his undergraduate alma mater in counselor education: college student personnel.
UF Admin Alum, David Parrott went on to earn his Ph.D. in education from the University of Louisville, with a concentration in educational psychology: college student personnel. David Parrot worked on his dissertation, The Effects of Inter-Racial Interaction on Racial Identity Development, under the guidance of Dr. Donald D. Gehring.
David Parrott's education and extensive professional experience show a trajectory of growth and increased professional responsibility. His leadership and supervisory experience make him an asset to any higher education institution, and his experience in student affairs lends itself to extensive knowledge of compliance and legal issues in higher ed.
As indicated by his doctoral research, Dr. David Parrott is committed to bringing students and faculty together across lines that have traditionally divided college campuses. Parrott works with universities to develop creative solutions to help them build coalitions and address mutual concerns between groups. In addition to working for various educational institutions, he’s served universities as a consultant in student affairs, legal issues, student conduct, and race relations.
Prior to his tenure at UF, David Parrott recognized his passion for working with students when he got his start as a residence hall director at Western Kentucky University in 1980. After five years in this position, Parrott moved on to serve students as the assistant director of housing. After a year in this role, he was promoted to the director of residence life, where he worked with students for eight years, supervising a 5,400-bed system.
David Parrott then became the assistant dean of students, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, and the director of residence life at Western Kentucky University. He remained in this position until 1997, when he took on a new challenge as the associate dean of students at Western Michigan University. Parrott's impact at Western Michigan was significant — he collaborated with students and faculty to rewrite the Student Code, recruited and hired four new department heads, and initiated the utilization of student judicial boards.
David Parrott then moved on to a position as the dean of student life at Texas A&M. During his time at A&M, he was promoted to the associate vice president for student affairs and dean of student life, then to the position of interim vice president for student affairs, and finally, the executive associate vice president and chief of staff. After three years working as the vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida (UF), Parrott moved on to his current position as the Title IX and ADA coordinator at the University of Louisville, where he works to create policy to support students affected by Title IX and the ADA.
