Dr. Annette Parker, President of South Central College and Chair of the CORD Board of Directors, is featured on the IngenioUs podcast, sharing insights from her extensive career in technical education and workforce development. In this conversation, she shares stories from her remarkable journey—from the assembly line to the president’s office—while exploring ground-breaking workforce innovations and the power of mentorship in shaping the next generation of leaders.
Dr. Parker’s career spans key milestones, from her early days on the General Motors assembly line to her leadership as president of South Central College (SCC) in Mankato, Minnesota. Under her direction, SCC has expanded workforce-focused programs, such as stackable credentials and competency-based education, equipping students for success in fast-evolving industries. Dr. Parker also emphasizes her role in shaping national workforce policy and fostering robust industry-education partnerships, particularly through her work in establishing the BILT (Business and Industry Leadership Team), a CORD initiative aimed at aligning educational programs with the needs of employers by facilitating collaboration between educators and industry leaders.
Parker’s leadership extends beyond the college’s campus. She has been instrumental in shaping national policies related to workforce development, having served on President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Steering Committee. Her work in industry-education partnerships has set a model for aligning academic programs with the needs of the workforce.
As she prepares for her upcoming retirement, Parker reflects on her career’s legacy and her commitment to mentoring future leaders.
To hear more about Dr. Parker’s insights and leadership in workforce development, listen to her full interview on the IngenioUs podcast.
You really need to create a shared vision for the work that would be accomplished. And you need to help everyone—whether they’re in business, industry, government, or education—see themselves within that vision. It takes time to really build that trust.
Dr. Annette Parker, Chair of the CORD Board
