In the spring of his junior year at Franklin College, Terrell Parker ’11 was at a crossroads. Although his professors were encouraging, Parker wasn’t sure where his English major and sociology minor would lead.
Then, an important email from Director of Career Development Kirk Bixler landed in his inbox. “Kirk said, ‘Based on your leadership and involvement on campus, this internship at the United Way of Central Indiana could be a great opportunity for you,’” Parker remembered.
As he recalls, the United Way’s coveted summer internship attracted more than 300 applicants every year; he was very proud to be selected. For him, the defining professional development opportunity lit a spark that grew stronger over time. “That internship exposed me to working in nonprofits, and I’ve worked in nonprofits ever since,” Parker said.
Parker, a native of Indianapolis and the first in his family to earn a college degree, credits his determination and strong work ethic to the challenges he overcame on his journey to higher education. After graduating college, he immediately immersed himself in his career, dedicated to helping others achieve their goals. He began working with several nonprofits in his hometown to help improve access to health care for underserved communities. While at the Minority Health Coalition of Marion County, Parker united five distinct HIV service organizations to create a citywide linkage-to-care program. The program gained national attention and was recognized as an example of best practices in the field, he shared.
Through the program, Parker helped create a more holistic, patient-focused approach, working not only to connect individuals with doctors but also to help secure food, jobs and housing. “It was really about meeting people where they are and caring for them,” he said. Following the program’s success, Parker was promoted to the coalition’s executive director.
His next career move was to the National Minority AIDS Council, helping empower HIV service providers and working to reduce the stigma. He spent more than four years in program management roles, overseeing a $7.1 million federal program for the organization, developing stigma-reduction materials and training and coaching more than 700 professionals to help support the efforts nationwide. He also helped launch an online learning platform and spearheaded strategic communications to support stakeholder engagement.
Stepping into new leadership roles always brings unique challenges, but Parker has been well-equipped with both practical job experience and the foundation of a liberal arts education. “Franklin College emphasizes leadership skills, striving for excellence and embracing acts of service. I definitely see how throughout my career I’ve been able to benefit from my time there,” he said.
Throughout his career, Franklin College has been a steady presence, even when not directly in view. When Parker joined the Indiana Youth Group (IYG), which provides safe spaces and programming for LGBTQ+ youth and was founded in Indianapolis by the late Chris Gonzalez ’86 and his partner, Jeff Werner ’87, he continued a legacy. “It was kind of a strange coincidence, but I’m proud to follow other openly gay men who graduated from Franklin College,” Parker said.
In some ways, Parker’s journey of leadership and service began long before his professional career, starting with his role as the Black Student Union (BSU) president at Franklin College. Reflecting on that formative experience, Parker shared advice for the current president, stating, “It can be challenging, it can be frustrating and it can be tiresome, but you have to stay brave and stay connected.” He recognizes that the lessons learned from hardships provide lifelong value.
He still vividly recalls a deeply personal and difficult experience that the Franklin College community helped him through. “My mother died the summer before my sophomore year, and it was Dean Ellis Hall (now retired) and others who spoke to me and helped me work through it. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have those people during that period to lift me up and support me,” Parker shared.
With the support of Franklin faculty, staff and friends, Parker found the strength to persevere, earning his degree and launching his fulfilling career dedicated to empowering others. Parker has built a life defined by impact and purpose—the very kind of future Franklin College seeks to inspire in all its students.
By: Clay Shull ’26
Pulliam Fellow
Republished from the Franklin College Magazine