Current position: Capital Campaign Consultant; Pennington & Company

Past leadership positions:

Hawkeye Guide, Admissions Representative, Phi Kappa Psi Kinnick Scholarship Coordinator, Iowa Student Success Team Task Force Representative

Graduated from the UI: in 2008 with a BA Communication Studies, BBA Entrepreneurial Management

“I should have gotten involved earlier,” says Aaron Parker, University of Iowa and Division of Student Life Alumnus. “As I suspect with many people, I never felt prepared or equipped to step into a leadership role. I would argue, however, there is a degree of maturity and responsibility that inherently happens when assuming a leadership role. When accepting a leadership position, it is important to do so knowing you’ll need support and be diligent in seeking resources to aid you.”

Parker was involved with Orientation and Admissions as a student at the University of Iowa. Now seven years after his graduation, Parker believes it was his student leadership experience that helped him discover his self-confidence, and ultimately drove him to his present-day career. He currently works as a Capital Campaign Consultant with Pennington & Company. “The positions helped shape and hone my communication styles in such a way that cannot be taught in a classroom,” reflects Parker.

If he could give one piece of advice to current students at the University of Iowa, Parker would say,

“Surround yourself with good people. Good people who support your development in and out of the classroom will propel you toward a quality life. Those people will then be there to enjoy both your successes and failures.”