Rodney Parks, coming from the University of Georgia, has been named Elon University’s next registrar.
Parks started at the University of Georgia in 2001, serving as the school’s senior associate registrar, and will be succeeding Mark Albertson, who has been at Elon for 34 years.
During Albertson’s time at Elon, he “led the campus through numerous changes and witnessed unprecedented growth,” said Provost Steven House in an email. “He has personally certified 26,330 Elon students for graduation, a number that represents 76 percent of all graduates in the university's history.”
House said he believes Parks will be able to fill Albertson’s role well.
“Mr. Parks has all of the skills and experience to continue Elon's legacy of excellence in registrar services, leading a student-centered office that places a priority on innovation,” House said. “He has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to each and every student, which is among the hallmarks of Elon's approach to higher education.”
As registrar, Parks will oversee seven staff members to issue transcripts and verify student records, conduct class registration, prepare the online class schedule as well as the university catalog and award and post degrees, among other responsibilities.
He is a member of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at four state colleges and universities in Georgia.
Parks is also a Navy veteran, and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal twice during his eight years of service. He served as a naval medic in the Middle East during Desert Storm.
He received his doctorate in counseling from the University of Georgia, after earning an educational specialist degree and a master’s of social work.
Parks’ tenure at Elon will begin Jan. 7.