Jane Parker

Jane Parker

President

Jane B. Parker is an Assistant Professor and Admissions Coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work Program in the Department of Social Work at Virginia State University (VSU). She also served as the Program’s Director from July 2022 to June 2024. In a social work career expanding over 40 years, she has been employed with the Richmond Department of Social Services and worked with the Richmond Oliver Hill Juvenile & Family Court and Richmond Behavioral Health (Crisis Unit) in various social work positions focusing on adult, family, and children’s services. In addition to teaching, she currently provides academic advising to students and serves as the Advisor to the VSU Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers and is the President of the Social Work Advisory Board for the VSU Social Work Department.

Ms. Parker hails from a village of hardworking, strong spiritual believers, community activists, and family-oriented people, thus her love for family values and community engagement. She attended school during the years of segregation (separate and not equal) and upon entering high school became one of 13 to integrate the public schools in her county as a result of the landmark “Green vs New Kent Board of Education” court decision. Faith in God, family first, belief in equal and quality education, and social justice issues have been prominent concerns for her for many years. Ms. Parker is an active member of social work professional organizations and volunteers in various roles and capacities including the National Association of Social Workers, Council on Social Work Education, Baccalaureate Program Directors, and the Association of Black Social Workers. She received her B.S.W. and M.S.W. from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. In December 2017, she was a part of the faculty-led study abroad program for social work students and traveled to Ghana as part of a two-week global service-learning program. Years later in collaboration with others, the plan to continue to work and serve others globally in underserved areas of Africa was realized. She is a Charter Board Member of the Mimosa International Foundation of America (MIFoA), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and currently serves as the Foundation’s President.