The Inauguration of Ezat Parnia, Ph.D

The Inauguration of EZAT PARNIA, PH.D. AS THE NINTH PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER EIGHTH, TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE Pasadena City Hall Courtyard and Centennial Square PACIFIC OAKS COLLEGE DEAR FRIENDS OF PACIFIC OAKS COLLEGE & CHILDREN’S SCHOOL: It has been said that when you are a graduate of Pacific Oaks College, you exhibit pride in having had its transformative experience. Today we gather together to preserve and renew a tradition that has been consecrated by the ages. This ceremony signifies transition and change, but it also is witness to persistence and permanence. As we celebrate the beginning of a new epoch at Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School, we are reminded that the future of every great institution of higher learning is informed by its past. PacificO aks College and the Children’s School have stood the test of time because we have honored our history, cherished our values, and stayed true to our principles. The history of Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School began when a small group of Quaker parents were so outraged at the violence, racial and ethnic hatred, nationalism, and materialism of the decades between the two world wars and the war years as well that they decided to found a school for young children. When the Children’s School needed educators to teach its progressive curriculum, they began the College. Both institutional divisions have been leaders in serving children through a mission grounded in its social justice heritage, and the preparation of its graduates to be culturally intelligent agents of change serving diverse communities. Additionally, Pacific Oaks is now a proud affiliate of the consortium of colleges that comprise TCS Education System. All of us share in the excitement of this special occasion. Today we are here to mark another milestone for Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School—the inauguration of President Ezat Parnia. Everyone here—the trustees, faculty, students, staff, alumni, civic leaders, friends and neighbors—is a living testimony to the dreams, hopes and aspirations of all who consider themselves to be a part of the family of Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School. It is our shared duty to help this college and children’s school hold fast to its timeless values while making bold strides toward the future. Together we will ensure that Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School remains a place that transforms the lives, lifts the spirits, and enlarges the vision of future students. Together we guarantee that Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School will serve this generation and every generation to come with the same commitment to serving the needs of children through its progressive mission. Dorothy Farris Chair, Board of Trustees Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School i & CHILDREn’s SCHOOL DEAR FRIENDS OF PACIFIC OAKS COLLEGE & CHILDREN’S SCHOOL: Last year at this time, faculty and staff of Pacific Oaks College were charged with enhancing our capacity to serve new students in new ways. To that end, we founded a new School of Education, received the approval to offer several new programs, and modified existing programs in both the School of Education and the School of Human Development and Marital and Family Therapy. Enrollment began to rise as we welcomed an increasing number of learners, the majority of whom heard the call of an alumni corps that is proud to sing our praises. The arrival of Dr. Parnia in January has led to re-focusing our efforts from surviving to thriving. Fueled by a collaboration of faculty, students, staff, and administrators, we turned from just having a broad strategic plan to a detailed three year master plan. This has led to our creating an even stronger focus on assessing our outcomes and achievements.W e have introduced several initiatives that foster collaboration with community organizations and promote increased enrollment. At the base of Dr. Parnia’s vision is to realign resources and create budget capacity so that we can reinvest in Pacific Oaks College’s commitment to social justice, equity, and cultured-centered education at the college and community level. With our mission priorities in mind and our determination to strengthen Pacific Oaks College, I am confident that Dr. Parnia will continue to take determined steps to ensure that we have enhanced the quality of services at the highest level so that the Pacific Oaks of the future is secure and sustainable. Sincerely, Carl Kalani Beyer, Ph.D. Dean of the College and Founding Dean, School of Education i ii PACIFIC OAKS HISTORY The Pacific Oaks Children’s School was founded in 1945 as a means to break down social, economic, ethnic, and racial barriers within post-war society. The pedagogy developed by the Children’s School, centered on experiential learning, in which children are encouraged to explore and play, has been the model for numerous childcare organizations throughout the world. Recognizing the need to train educators on the emerging curriculum, Pacific Oaks founded a college to train early childhood education. The College received accreditation in 1959. The College currently offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and certificate programs in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Marriage and Family Therapy, and teacher credentialing. The majority of students come from the Southern California region, but Pacific Oaks also operates educational programs in Chico, Salinas, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz. Pacific Oaks also offers Human Development and Early Childhood Education programs online, offering a convenient format that enables a greater number of working adults to access higher education. Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School has a long and distinguished history of service, training, and advocacy for the needs of children and families. In 1965, its reputation in early childhood education led to an invitation from the federal government to conduct fast-track training for Project Head Start. The anti-bias curriculum developed at Pacific Oaks College is foundational in teacher training programs throughout the country. Our Master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy was the first in the nation to implement a culture-centered approach with the creation of Latino/a and African-American Family Studies Specializations. The leadership, faculty, and staff of Pacific Oaks have embraced a vital and vibrant vision for the future, and look forward to collaborating with Dr. Parnia expand our dynamic, culture-centered model of education. TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTERS FROM UNIVERSITY LEADERS ....................................................... i MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ................................................................ 1 ORDER OF PROCESSION & INAUGURAL PARTICIPANTS ............................ 2 AcADEMIC REGALIA ..................................................................................... 3 LETTERS FROM PACIFIC OAKS’ DELEGATES ............................................... 4 LETTERS FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ................................................. 10 LETTERS FROM COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ......................................... 16 LETTERS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS .................................................... 38 PAST PRESIDENTS ......................................................................................... 48 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ................................................................................... 49 PRESIDENT’S CABINET ................................................................................. 50 SPONSORS ..................................................................................................... 51 PROGRAM AckNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................ 58 INAUGURATION PLANNING COMMITTEE .................................................. 59 iii DR. EZAT PARNIA Prior to joining Pacific Oaks in January 2012, Dr. Ezat Parnia was the founding partner and Chief Executive Officer of the Education Advisory Group (EAG), based in Newton, Massachusetts. As CEO of the firm, Dr. Parnia established the strategic direction for this national higher education consulting firm. EAG provided marketing, recruitment, and strategic initiatives for a wide range of higher education institutions. He also held a tenured professorship at Nichols College. Dr. Ezat Parnia served as the Nichols College Provost and Executive Vice President, where he spearheaded the day-today operations of the College. He led the administration and faculty at the school, and also worked to support and Photo credit: Bryony Shearmur credit: Photo advanced the overall quality of Nichols College. Before joining Nichols College in 2007, Dr. Parnia was Executive Vice President and Dean of the School of Management at Cambridge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He held numerous positions from 1989-2007. He focused on branding and driving the College from a $2 million operating budget to $50 million. He recognized opportunities for the institution to expand program offerings, reach out to new populations, and further extend the mission of the college. Prior to joining Cambridge College, he held faculty and administrative positions at the University of Hartford from 1984 to 1989. Dr. Parnia has presented and published on multiple topics including higher education, the adult learner and multiculturalism. His articles have been published in The New York Times, Worcester Business Journal, Webster Times, and Metro West Daily News. He has also served as a consultant with various corporations and not-for-profit

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