Parker Ford

Parker Ford a Mary M. Litchfield, Mark Keane, and Self Memorial Fellowship scholar, graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2023 with a bachelor’s in sociology and a minor in creative writing. Parker graduated with distinction, honors, and the Department of Sociology Distinguished Graduate Award, being inducted as a member of the AKD International Sociology Honors Society. As an undergraduate, they worked for two years as a research assistant in the School of Social Welfare on an intervention looking to address the increased risks of cervical cancer for survivors of intimate partner violence. This work gave them experience in writing, research, and engagement with both health professionals and vulnerable communities. Parker also interned for the Oklahoma City Health Department WIC program running the summer feeding program at a serving location in 2021. This internship allowed him to get direct experience in managing city projects as he successfully campaigned for the extension of Covid-19 policies which provided greater access to the program to the community. Parker aims to continue social-justice-oriented work in their future career in public service.