MARIETTA, OHIO — Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Sarah Parker as its 8th President. The Board of Trustees approved her appointment, recognizing her strong leadership as Interim President and her dedication to strengthening WSCO’s impact on the community.
“Dr. Parker has already proven to be an outstanding leader, working closely with the WSCO faculty and staff as well as community members to significantly enhance partnerships and build upon the important work WSCO is doing for our students and region,” said Tyler Wilcox, WSCO Board of Trustees Chair. “The Board of Trustees had the opportunity to see Dr. Parker lead the college during her interim leadership period, and her passion for the college, students, and communities we serve make her the ideal person to guide WSCO into the future.”
Dr. Parker brings two decades of higher education experience to her new role. She began her career as an English instructor at a community college in Virginia, where she discovered her passion for helping students in small communities achieve their goals. This passion led her to southeast Ohio, where she served as an Academic Dean at Hocking College and co-founded a small non-profit educational farm that provided food for local pantries.
For the past six years, Dr. Parker has served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at WSCO, where she played a pivotal role in developing and expanding academic and workforce pathways, including the implementation of 8-week courses and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing pathway. Since stepping into the role of Interim President in July 2024, she has championed new partnerships and secured significant funding, including a $1.75 million ARC grant to expand the Education Transfer program.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the next president of Washington State College of Ohio,” said Dr. Parker. “WSCO is in a strong position and has been a longstanding leader in providing transformative educational pathways for students in our community. I am excited to build on the exceptional work we’ve done. Together with our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners, we will drive innovation, build new partnerships, and expand educational opportunities to meet the needs of southeastern Ohio and the Mid-Ohio Valley.”
Dr. Parker’s vision for WSCO focuses on expanding accessible, affordable, and impactful education that serves the region’s needs. Her emphasis on guided pathways and student-centered initiatives will further strengthen WSCO’s position as a leader in higher education.
The installation of Dr. Parker will be celebrated at her upcoming inauguration in January 2025.
