College brings in provost from Colorado

LAKELAND — Longtime academic leader Terry Parker has been named provost for Florida Polytechnic University, effective Sept. 1.

Parker, an engineering researcher, most recently served as provost and executive vice president of the Colorado School of Mines, a statement says. As provost at Florida Poly, he will oversee all aspects of the academic experience, including recruiting students, shaping the curriculum, hiring professors and securing research grants.

Parker's educational history includes a bachelors and masters degrees in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and a Ph. D. in mechanical engineering from the University of California-Berkeley, the statement says. He worked at multiple engineering and research firms, and also worked for IBM Corp., before he joined the Colorado School of Mines as a professor.

Entering its third academic year, Florida Poly is adding students, faculty, buildings and staff around the Lakeland campus, the statement says. Along with bringing in Parker, the university will add a new vice president of advancement and associate vice president of entrepreneurship.