Kendal Parker
Senior Director of Inclusive Engagement, UIC Advancement
About
Kendal Parker is the Senior Director of Inclusive Engagement for UIC Advancement at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He works with internal and external constituencies to maximize philanthropic capacity and support for the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and student success priorities.
Kendal previously served as the Director of the UIC CHANCE Program and has more than 20 years of experience developing and cultivating stakeholder relationships, resulting in initiatives that have helped to advance equitable outcomes in academic and community settings. Kendal is a Chicago native, respected educator and mentor, consistently growing and fostering relationships with community leaders, legislators, grass-roots organizations, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago leadership, as well as countless other independently-owned businesses looking to provide resources and opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Kendal received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Illinois State University, and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Leadership: Educational Studies from the University of Illinois. He serves on the board of directors for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation as the Education Chair. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce – Emerging Leaders, and the Executives Club of Chicago. Kendal also volunteers with The James R. Jordan Foundation, the National Society of Black Engineers – Chicago, Economic Strategies Development Corporation, Project SYNCERE, and is a recent Monarch Man for Education recipient (2019).