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Where growth is concerned, Parisi relied on his enrollment management experience to guide the admissions team to a 6 percent increase this past year. The campus also grew, and Missouri Valley purchased 26 acres of property near the campus. While the president has initial ideas on the use of the land, he is consulting with community leaders and the campus to find the best possible use. In his first year, there were residence hall upgrades and improvements, cameras added across campus for increased security, much-needed information technology infrastructure improvements, a new Starbucks in the Malcolm Center, and even a pizza vending machine at Burns Athletic Complex. Currently, he is conducting focus groups and visits to evaluate Missouri Valley’s unique value propositions, which he says will “guide all of us when we have the chance to talk to others about the college.” Dr. Parisi’s first convocation ceremony and installation at Gregg-Mitchell field in August was memorable for everyone who attended. After Chairman Matt Huston presented the new president with his President’s Medallion, the Missouri National Guard conducted a rifle salute. The crowd was entertained by Bear Brass, an ensemble from the Missouri National Guard’s 135th Army Band, and colors were presented by the color guard from Whiteman Air Force Base. Additionally, American Legion members from various local posts were in uniform and had seats of honor. Parisi has launched a God, Family, and Country emphasis at Missouri Valley College, reminding the campus of its religious roots and a values-based education. He has stressed paying tribute to the armed forces in the area, and specifically Missouri Valley’s historic participation in the Navy V-12 program. The exterior of the new Welcome Center is now adorned with the official seals of the branches of the armed forces, and will soon pay tribute to those who have served with memorial lists. He even brought in a muralist to paint a unique version of the American flag along Redman Avenue.. “Becoming president at my alma mater is both humbling and exciting, Parisi said. “I love engaging with our students and our faculty and staff, alumni and the community. I want to build relationships to help us forge a bright future for the college.” Parisi and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters. Gia is a freshman at Missouri Valley College, and Maleah is a junior at Columbia Rock Bridge High School.
Missouri Valley College’s board of trustees hired Dr. Joe Parisi ’94 as the institution’s 14th president in late 2022. Parisi comes to Valley after serving as vice president for enrollment management at both Central Methodist University and Lindenwood University for the past 24 years. “But now I’m home,” Parisi said. “I’ve had some life- changing moments on this campus, thanks to some wonderful faculty members particularly. Buckle up, because we’re going to change some lives.” Dr. Parisi spent his first few months serving alongside outgoing President Bonnie Humphrey. “We worked so well together,” Parisi said. “Her mentorship and onboarding was so critical to our smooth transition. She’s been a legendary leader here, and she helped me quite a bit.” Dr. Humphrey joked that working with Dr. Parisi was “like being shot out of a cannon.” Parisi implemented significant change over his first year, including reorganizing MVC’s academic structure to include five schools and the honors college. He and the board of trustees also led the fundraising effort to renovate and change the name of the Technology Center to the Welcome Center. That building, Parisi said, “is the front door to our campus. We need to put our best foot forward there.” The president moved the admissions office and student success office to the Welcome Center, with a refreshed customer-service approach with prospective students and their families. Philosophy changed as well, as the students and parents are now greeted with discussions about jobs, careers, internships and certifications, all a part of the new Viking Voyage Program. “We are beginning with the end in mind,” Parisi said. “Our graduates need to have even more tools in their toolkit—and the Viking Voyage will help us get there.” BECOMES MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE PRESIDENT
4 Viking Views | 2023
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