Craiger C. Parker

Leadership

Development

Program

The Craiger C. Parker Leadership Program is designed to develop, foster, and recognize those students with the interest and desire to become leaders. The Craiger C. Parker Leadership Development Program motivates students to explore the nature of leadership and develop their personal leadership potential. Students are encouraged to complete pre-selected courses from those identified as pertaining to a specific, leadership development track based on degree level. The Craiger C. Parker Leadership Development Program presents the opportunity for Associate and Bachelor degree students to obtain respective designation levels (fundamental, intermediate, or advanced) on their transcripts and degrees.

Preparing for Your Leadership Mission

As you embark upon this journey into leadership it is vital that together we prepare for the mission. Understand that you as a student have the abilities necessary to excel in studying and applying leadership. With everything in leadership, a mission is always present, whether it is written down or simply verbalized. From a college standpoint we want students to become strong ethical leaders. From a student perspective we want you to learn and embrace the principles of effective leadership which will foster a caring for others and a passion to lead in creating better communities and organizations for all. The program has been devised to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of those students who take on the challenge. The Central Pennsylvania College Leadership Development Program (LDP) mission reads:

The mission of the leadership development program is designed around the college core values. It seeks to increase a student’s professionalism through a structured curriculum marinating educational focus, stressing the importance of respect and integrity shown to individuals while providing service to the community utilizing implementation of sound leadership principles.

Program Inspiration

Craiger C. Parker - January 15, 1944 - October 31, 2000
Colonel Craiger Carl Parker, Dean Emeritus of Central Pennsylvania College, served his country and Central Pennsylvania College with outstanding distinction, integrity, and effectiveness. Who he was and how he lived will always inspire those who knew him.

Colonel Parker, one of the Army’s most decorated soldiers, brought with him to Central Penn 30 years of experience in serving various educational roles at the highest levels in the army. During his tenure at Central Penn (1996-2000), he initiated a new Associate degree program, which gave Central Penn college status, helped create a high quality living and learning environment, and pushed for and achieved higher academic credentials for faculty. Craiger Parker’s vision of Central Penn becoming a bachelor’s degree granting institution was realized on December 18, 2000.

Craiger Parker earned the moniker, “Rocksteady,” because of his refusal to retreat under fire while serving in Vietnam. That moniker also applied to his values, devotion to service, and love of family and country.

Craiger C. Parker left an enduring legacy - a loving family, a grateful nation, and a college that will reap the fruits of his labors for generations to come.

We salute Craiger C. Parker,
a true American hero,
Patriot, Leader, Educator, Friend.