Full Name
Dr. Christopher Parker
Company/Organization
NJCAA National Office Staff
Job Title
President
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Since 2017, NJCAA President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Christopher J. Parker is responsible for all oversight of the country’s second largest athletic association. Dr. Parker is charged with leading all aspects of the association and its over 500 member colleges, while enhancing the opportunities for student-athletes and member institutions. Dr. Parker's daily duties are to provide overarching leadership of all aspects with special concentration on membership growth, financial stability, and organizational growth.
Dr. Parker gives national presentations throughout the country and works hard to represent every single region across the nation. He works closely with the board to make sure all aspects of the NJCAA remain in compliance with its bylaws and protect its not-for-profit status. Dr. Parker is also responsible for working with other associations and potential sponsors to secure new and exciting opportunities, while serving as the spokesperson for the organization on the national level. Dr. Parker currently serves on the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board and the United States International Federation Board.
The President has served many leadership positions in higher education and not-for-profit management. He has coached Division I baseball, while also starting the first ever NJCAA athletic program in the Virginia Community College System where he served as both the athletic director and head baseball coach. Dr. Parker also served PHCC in a number of other capacities to include: Director of Student Life, Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Academics, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Campus Life, and Athletics, Executive Director of the PHCC Foundation and Real Estate Foundation, as well as adjunct instructor. He also went on to serve Pfeiffer University as Vice President where he was in charge of enrollment at all levels, financial aid, marketing, and public Relations. During his time at Pfeiffer, the university experienced the largest incoming freshmen class in more than 30 years. Dr. Parker has taught adjunct for more than 7 different institutions nationally, while specializing in sports management, leadership, and exercise. He also served as the assistant men’s director and the women’s director of Region 10 of the NJCAA for seven years, while also overseeing the treasury duties. In addition, Dr. Parker served as the Executive Director of the Patrick County Education Foundation under former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles.
Dr. Parker is a product of Halifax County, Virginia where he grew up on a very large tobacco farm and spent much of his time on the baseball diamond. Parker earned the prestigious American Legion Baseball Scholarship upon graduation for the most outstanding student-athlete (baseball) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a utility infielder, Dr. Parker went on to play college baseball and coach college baseball, as well as coach in a number of elite summer leagues. In the summer of 2002, he competed for the Rock City Red Sox where the team went on to take a top 10 finish in the annual NBC World Series in Wichita, KS, the highest finish ever by a North Carolina team. He also earned player of the week honors during his college career and was particularly known for his defensive skills, thus picking up the license plates ITURN2 and WEBGEM, a plate that he still has today. Dr. Parker is happily married to his wife Anna and they have one daughter, Leah Rose.
Outside of the workplace, Dr. Parker enjoys spending time with this family and always enjoys the game of baseball. One of his main goals outside of the workplace is to attend every single Major League Baseball Stadium in the country. He enjoys traveling with his wife and teaching his daughter how to play softball. Sports in general, especially college sports (Virginia Tech Football) keep his time occupied when not working. Dr. Parker still loves being outdoors whenever possible and spring is his favorite season because baseball season is upon him.
Dr. Parker gives national presentations throughout the country and works hard to represent every single region across the nation. He works closely with the board to make sure all aspects of the NJCAA remain in compliance with its bylaws and protect its not-for-profit status. Dr. Parker is also responsible for working with other associations and potential sponsors to secure new and exciting opportunities, while serving as the spokesperson for the organization on the national level. Dr. Parker currently serves on the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board and the United States International Federation Board.
The President has served many leadership positions in higher education and not-for-profit management. He has coached Division I baseball, while also starting the first ever NJCAA athletic program in the Virginia Community College System where he served as both the athletic director and head baseball coach. Dr. Parker also served PHCC in a number of other capacities to include: Director of Student Life, Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Academics, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Campus Life, and Athletics, Executive Director of the PHCC Foundation and Real Estate Foundation, as well as adjunct instructor. He also went on to serve Pfeiffer University as Vice President where he was in charge of enrollment at all levels, financial aid, marketing, and public Relations. During his time at Pfeiffer, the university experienced the largest incoming freshmen class in more than 30 years. Dr. Parker has taught adjunct for more than 7 different institutions nationally, while specializing in sports management, leadership, and exercise. He also served as the assistant men’s director and the women’s director of Region 10 of the NJCAA for seven years, while also overseeing the treasury duties. In addition, Dr. Parker served as the Executive Director of the Patrick County Education Foundation under former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles.
Dr. Parker is a product of Halifax County, Virginia where he grew up on a very large tobacco farm and spent much of his time on the baseball diamond. Parker earned the prestigious American Legion Baseball Scholarship upon graduation for the most outstanding student-athlete (baseball) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a utility infielder, Dr. Parker went on to play college baseball and coach college baseball, as well as coach in a number of elite summer leagues. In the summer of 2002, he competed for the Rock City Red Sox where the team went on to take a top 10 finish in the annual NBC World Series in Wichita, KS, the highest finish ever by a North Carolina team. He also earned player of the week honors during his college career and was particularly known for his defensive skills, thus picking up the license plates ITURN2 and WEBGEM, a plate that he still has today. Dr. Parker is happily married to his wife Anna and they have one daughter, Leah Rose.
Outside of the workplace, Dr. Parker enjoys spending time with this family and always enjoys the game of baseball. One of his main goals outside of the workplace is to attend every single Major League Baseball Stadium in the country. He enjoys traveling with his wife and teaching his daughter how to play softball. Sports in general, especially college sports (Virginia Tech Football) keep his time occupied when not working. Dr. Parker still loves being outdoors whenever possible and spring is his favorite season because baseball season is upon him.