The Parker Years

by Susan Lasswell

Mike Parker has left the building.

After 32 years of service to the Counseling Department, College of Human Development and Community Service, Academic Affairs, Academic Senate, Information Technology, and ultimately to the University, Mike Parker retired, effective March 2.

During Parker’s tenure as Chief Information/Technology Officer, which began in 1997, IT played a critical role in implementing the President’s vision for campus technology. According to Parker, the establishment of the CI/TO position at the cabinet level in 1997 did more to further the president’s technology vision than anything else. That same year, the division moved to a new home in Pollak Library, which included a state-of-the art computer room in the basement. IT grew from an organization of 31 in 1997 to 95 as of this writing.

When Parker assumed his new position, there were no university-wide standards for computing; the network was not yet built out (“there were pipes but no boxes.”). The initial computer rollout, which provided faculty and staff with high-powered standardized workstations, and training and compatible software, faced obsolescence and required a three-year plan despite budget constraints. As the network increased in complexity, security became an ever-present challenge and necessitated the formation of a security group.

As the Internet matured, Parker established the campus’ first web team who, within a few years, developed the campus portal that provided the campus community with customizable access to information and created a new level of service expectations. He led efforts to establish the helpdesk, and implement two upgrades to the IBM mainframes. In November of 2003, President Gordon appointed Parker Executive Sponsor of the CMS project and IT took on the role of project facilitator

Parker recently recounted how in the late 1980’s, when he was associate dean, he would occasionally lunch at Sizzler and see Amir Dabirian—whom he didn’t know but recognized as someone affiliated with the university, probably a student. He chuckled as he reflected on the irony of casually greeting the young man who would eventually succeed him as acting CI/TO.

Of all the division’s accomplishments during his tenure, Parker is most proud of the high standard of service to the campus that the managers and IT staff developed. “It’s nothing short of stunning.” His advice to those left to carry the torch: “ensure that the campus will have better and useful technology. “

Mike Parker has left his mark on Cal State Fullerton.

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