Employee Spotlight: Kristen Parker

Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Elle Gunter.

Kristen Parker has been named Bluefield University’s new dean of students. She is no stranger to BU and its students as she has served on staff before and is a Bluefield alumna.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, Parker served as the sports information director with a new energy that provided excitement throughout the campus. Parker graduated from Bluefield University in 2018, and she provided an inside scoop of what makes Bluefield worth coming back to.

“Bluefield is a very important place to me,” Parker said. “I met my husband here and I experienced a lot of life changes during my time here. So, to get the opportunity to come back and impact a place close to my heart is an honor. I really would like to pour all that I can into this university.”

It is noticeably clear that Parker adores this place and wants to impact the university in the best way possible. Students speak about the significant impact she has on the university and students, as well.

“Kristen is great. You can tell she really cares about this university and most importantly the people and students that go here,” said Isaiah Bandy. “She goes above and beyond to do her job. We could not ask for a better dean.”

Parker is excited about the challenges her new job will bring and views them as opportunities to grow. 

“In my previous position, I mainly dealt with athletes, but this position impacts every student,” Parker said. “I would say it was not a challenge, but more exciting to interact with every student, not just athletes. I challenge myself to learn every student’s name.”

Parker cares deeply about the people and university as a whole. She also has a vision for the future of the university.

“There are constantly areas to improve,” Parker said, “I think being static is not a good mindset for the university, or anyone really. We just need to make sure we are not running out of gas. I would like to see us continually growing. We are seeing an increase in student enrollment, which is a wonderful thing. I would love to see us one day at 100 percent capacity (with on-campus residents).”

Parker has a great view of what Bluefield could possibly be one day, and she understands that Rome was not built in a day. It will take time and, most importantly, effort.

Parker’s office is located in Shott Hall, and her door is always open to students and faculty alike.