Shirley Parker
About Shirley Parker
Shirley Parker is a Program Success Manager and Career Coach at Merit America, where she has worked since 2022. With a background in psychology and social work, she focuses on supporting students' emotional well-being and career development.
Current Role at Merit America
Shirley Parker serves as a Program Success Manager and Career Coach at Merit America since 2022. In this role, she focuses on supporting students in their career development and emotional well-being. Her approach integrates her background in social work, allowing her to address the diverse needs of students effectively. Through personalized coaching, she promotes positive growth and development, guiding students toward achieving their career goals.
Education and Expertise
Shirley Parker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she studied from 2007 to 2011. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) from North Carolina State University, completing her studies from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, she studied Student Personnel Administration and Higher Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 2015 to 2017. Her educational background equips her with a strong foundation in mental health and student support.
Professional Background
Shirley Parker has a diverse professional background in student support and career development. She worked at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in various roles, including as an Intern for Academic Advising in 2016, Assistant for Student Support and Outreach from 2015 to 2017, and Career Ambassador from 2015 to 2016. She also served as a Programs Officer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2018 to 2022 and as Assistant Director of Student Success at Campbell University from 2017 to 2018.
Previous Experience in Counseling
Before her current role, Shirley Parker gained experience in counseling at Workplace Options, where she worked as a Counselor/Employment Counselor from 2014 to 2015. She also served as a Resident Patient Assistant at Carolina House Eating Disorder Treatment Programs from 2013 to 2014. These roles contributed to her understanding of emotional well-being and informed her approach to career coaching and student support.
Focus on Student Development
Shirley Parker emphasizes the importance of emotional well-being and academic achievement in her work. She adapts her social work skills to meet the needs of students, providing tailored support that promotes their growth and career exploration. Her commitment to fostering positive development is evident in her various roles in academic advising and student support across multiple institutions.