Founded in 1875 in Parkville, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City, Park University is a comprehensive, independent institution that is a national leader in higher education. In 2000, Park achieved university status and currently serves 15,373 students at 41 locations in 22 states and online, including campuses in Parkville, Independence and Kansas City, Mo.; Lenexa, Kan., Austin and El Paso, Texas; Barstow and Victorville, Calif.; Gilbert, Ariz.; and at 31 military installations across the country. Serving an ethnically diverse student population and non-traditional adult learners has, for many years, been central to Park’s educational mission. Even in its first year, Park University enrolled women students as well as men, something that was unusual at the time; and two of the original 17 students were Native Americans. Park was also an early integrator when it welcomed African-American students to live in Park’s residence halls in the 1950s. Park continues to increase access to higher education by offering the quality undergraduate and graduate degrees students desire at locations, times and delivery formats that best serve their needs. The University has been ranked among the top private colleges/universities in the country for adult learners as well as for annual return on investment, and it is consistently ranked among the top least expensive private schools in the country. Providing such access has developed considerable diversity among the student population, with 244 international students from 62 countries, and a 56 percent student representation from racial, ethnic and cultural groups typically underrepresented in colleges and universities. In addition, extracurricular activities and championship-caliber athletic programs (NAIA) complement Park’s outstanding scholastic programs. Park University offers numerous degree programs online, and it maintains a long- standing relationship with the U.S. military for which it has been recognized as one of the largest providers of online undergraduate education to military learners worldwide. Since 2009, Park has received international recognition each year by various military-related publications as a top military friendly college/university. In addition, Park is among the top-ranked “best for vets” private colleges/universities in the country. 1 A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT SHANE B. SMEED Dear 2021 Graduates: Four years from now, our University will commemorate its sesquicentennial. As the Park community reflects upon 150 years of transforming lives through accessible, student-centered quality higher education, what you have overcome and accomplished individually and collectively merits a special place in our university’s history. Your dedication, resilience and courage have led you to this moment. I join your families, friends, professors, classmates and the entire Park University family in celebrating your achievement. Your graduation today marks both a transition and an elevation from student standing to lifetime membership in the Park University Alumni Association, a community of 80,000 outstanding graduates across the nation and throughout the world. Like previous alumni who overcame the 1918 influenza pandemic, the Great Depression and other epic challenges, you too will become the dreamers and builders needed to imagine what is possible and then convert a bold vision into a bright reality. During your time at Park University, you have been building momentum. No matter where your life’s journey takes you next, be it a career choice, another academic program or a community service opportunity, you have developed the aptitude and attitude necessary to succeed. I am honored to celebrate this special occasion with each of you. Our faculty and staff are honored to count you as graduates of this special institution. Congratulations! United, in Park, Shane B. Smeed Interim President Park University 2 MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS MISSION STATEMENT Park University transforms lives through accessible, student-centered, quality higher education. VISION STATEMENT Park University will meet learners’ needs for a lifetime. CORE VALUES Park University’s core values describe who we are, what we do and how we do it. They guide our educational strategy, our institutional behavior and our relationships with business partners, suppliers, students, faculty, communities and each other. We expect ACCOUNTABILITY | for our actions at all levels, to each othe and to Park University. We treat all with CIVILITY and RESPECT | while being open and honest in our communication. We seek EXCELLENCE | in all we do, with passionate learning as our highest priority. We celebrate GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP | through our connected learning and working environment, liberal arts education and community stewardship. We embrace INCLUSIVITY | that fosters diversity, teamwork and collaboration. We act with INTEGRITY | through honesty, efficiency and reliability. park.edu 3 PARK UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES More than 15,373 Park University students attend classes at one of 41 locations in 22 states and online from national or international settings. Park University Campuses .......... Locations Parkville (Flagship Campus) ............Parkville, MO Downtown Kansas City ...............Kansas City, MO Independence .......................Independence, MO Lenexa ............................Lenexa, KS Little Rock Air Force Base .............Little Rock, AK Davis-Monthan Air Force Base .........Tucson, AZ Gilbert ............................Gilbert, AZ Luke Air Force Base ..................Glendale, AZ Barstow Community College ...........Barstow, CA Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base .....Oceanside, CA Victor Valley College .................Victorville, CA Moody Air Force Base ................Valdosta, GA Mountain Home Air Force Base ........Mountain Home, ID Scott Air Force Base .................Belleville, IL Hanscom Air Force Base ..............Bedford, MA Fairchild AFB Fort Leonard Wood ..................Waynesville, MO Malmstrom AFB Minot AFB Whiteman Air Force Base .............Knob Noster, MO Grand Forks AFB Malmstrom Air Force Base ............Great Falls, MT Holloman Air Force Base . .Alamogordo, NM Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station ...Cherry Point, NC Grand Forks Air Force Base . .Grand Forks, ND Mountain Home AFB Hanscom AFB Minot Air Force Base ................Minot, ND Defense Supply Center Columbus .......Columbus, OH Wright-Patterson Air Force Base ........Dayton, OH Hill AFB Tinker Air Force Base ................Midwest City, OK F.E. W arren AFB DSCC Columbus Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station ......Beaufort, SC Parkville Henderson Hall Charleston Air Force Base .............North Charleston, SC Independence Wright-Patterson AFB Fort Myer Naval Support Activity Kansas City Whiteman AFB Quantico Mid-South Millington ..............Millington, TN Lenexa Scott AFB Austin ............................Austin, TX Fort Leonard Wood El Paso ............................El Paso, TX Cherry Point MCAS Fort Bliss ..........................El Paso, TX Barstow CC NSA Millington Goodfellow Air Force Base .............San Angelo, TX Victor Valley College Tinker AFB Camp Pendleton MCB Joint Base San Antonio - Little Rock AFB Charleston AFB Luke AFB Gilbert Beaufort MCAS Lackland Air Force Base ............San Antonio, TX Holloman AFB Laughlin Air Force Base ...............Del Rio, TX Joint Base San Antonio - Davis-Monthan AFB Fort Bliss Randolph Air Force Base ............Universal City, TX Goodfellow AFB Moody AFB Hill Air Force Base ..................Ogden, UT El Paso Austin Fort Myer .........................Arlington, VA Laughlin Headquarters Marine Corps/Headquarters JBSA Randolph JBSA Lackland Battalion Henderson Hall ............Arlington, VA Marine Corps Base Quantico ...........Quantico, VA Fairchild Air Force Base ...............Spokane, WA Francis E. Warren Air Force Base ........Cheyenne, WY 4 Founded in 1875 at its historic site in Parkville, Mo., Park University enjoys a distinguished position in higher education. Milestones Park’s military education program was established in 1962; our adult degree completion program in 1974; our online program in 1996. Fairchild AFB Malmstrom AFB Minot AFB Grand Forks AFB Mountain Home AFB Hanscom AFB Hill AFB F.E. W arren AFB DSCC Columbus Parkville Henderson Hall Independence Wright-Patterson AFB Fort Myer Kansas City Whiteman AFB Quantico Lenexa Scott AFB Fort Leonard Wood Cherry Point MCAS Barstow CC NSA Millington Victor Valley College Tinker AFB Camp Pendleton MCB Little Rock AFB Charleston AFB Luke AFB Gilbert Beaufort MCAS Holloman AFB Davis-Monthan AFB Fort Bliss Goodfellow AFB Moody AFB El Paso Austin Laughlin JBSA Randolph JBSA Lackland 5 PARK UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jeanette Prenger, ’09 William Perry, ’67 Chair of the Board Chair of Academic Affairs Committee Weatherby Lake, MO Dallas, TX Vince Clark Andrew Romer, ’07 Vice Chair of the Board Oak Grove, MO Kansas City, MO Adelaida Severson, Ph.D. Troy Teague Gilbert, AZ Secretary of the Board Andrew Shoffner Kansas City, MO Basehor, KS N. Lynn Craghead Cyprienne Simchowitz, J.D. Treasurer of the Board Chair of the Marketing and Chair of the Finance Committee Advancement Committee Kansas City, MO Mission Hills, KS Robert Bucker, D.M.A. Jaqueline Snyder, Ed.D. Parkville, MO Chair of the Trusteeship Committee Mitzi Cardenas Parkville, MO Kansas City, MO Ami Wisdom Mara Cohara, J.D. Assistant Secretary Weatherby Lake, MO Parkville, MO Michael Collins, ’04 Leawood, KS James Cornelius HONORARY TRUSTEES Kansas City, MO