Secrets...to Success in College and in Life

Henry H. Parker graduated magna cum laude from the University of St. Thomas. He received the M.A. from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and the Ph.D. in Latin and Greek from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He is the co-author of Teaching Minorities to Play the Corporate Language Game, A Twenty-Somethings Guide to Financial Freedom, and other writings published in this country and abroad. He has been featured on, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and his work has been included in The New York Times, USA Today, and People Magazine. He has been a speaker on the national lecture circuit for the New York based agency, Program Corporation of America. He is presently a Cunningham Distinguished Professor/Scholar at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Alicia Maya Donaldson, LCSW graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Martin with her BSSW in 2000, earning her MSSW from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work in 2002. While working towards her LCSW, Alicia worked in a variety of treatment settings, providing direct care to individuals suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues. In 2009, Alicia made a transition to higher education where she now serves as a professor and the program director for the UT Martin Social Work Program. Alicia now dedicates her time to helping students transition into professionals who are focused on each client’s individuality and diversity. Alicia serves on several national, state, and local community groups. Alicia has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences, focusing on ethics, diversity issues, and education reform. Alicia has received multiple teaching, scholarship, and service awards, including the “Excellence in Teaching Award” presented by the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the “Pinnacle Award” for Outstanding Teaching, Service, & Scholarship, and the “UT Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award.”

Marilyn I. Crist graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Northern Iowa, and the MSSW from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. She is an LCSW, BCD, AND DCSW. She is the co-author of Teaching Minorities to Play the Corporate Language Game. As an academic advisor, she developed a program for probation students that resulted in a success rate higher than that of the general student population. She has been a speaker on the national lecture circuit for the New York based agency, Program Corporation of America, on the subject of Domestic Violence, When Home is No Longer Safe. As an LCSW, she served as a clinical therapist in direct practice until she retired. The Tennessee chapter of the National Association of Social Work gave Marilyn its highest honor, “The Lifetime Achievement Award.”