Dr. Alyse Gray Parker Memorial Scholarship Endowment for the Archer Center
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This endowed scholarship was established in loving memory of Dr. Alyse Noelle Gray Parker, a Summer 2018 Graduate Archer Fellow who made significant contributions to the Archer Center and the Archer Fellow Alumni Association by serving as the longtime chair of the Association’s scholarship committee and assisting with recruitment efforts at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy. Dr. Gray Parker passed away on the morning of Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the age of 33. This scholarship will support program-related expenses for Archer Fellows who have a commitment to education policy.
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Remembering Dr. Alyse Gray Parker
Alyse was born on April 16, 1991, in Cleveland, Ohio to Marcellus Gray Jr. and Lori Shy. She grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Twinsburg, Ohio, before traveling to Columbus, Ohio to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Psychology, and Ed.S. in School Psychology from The Ohio State University. Alyse’s ambition and passion for helping others continued as she obtained her Ph.D. in educational Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas San Antonio.
During her junior year at Ohio State, Alyse found the love of her life, Benjamin Parker. The two married in July of 2017, and grew a beautiful life together across several states, eventually landing in Washington, D.C. It was there where Alyse most recently found herself as an Associate Director of Federal Relations for the University of Iowa.
Alyse was a shining light to those whom she met; full of life, joy, and kindness to all. She had a sense of adventure, exploring new places, restaurants, and culture. When not working, Alyse loved taking walks with Ben and their beloved dog, Jax, in the neighborhoods of D.C. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, friend, and many things to so many people, always making time for others.
Before her passing, Alyse was surrounded by love at the baby shower for their daughter, Olivia Ada Parker. Alyse is now resting in the heavens with her daughters Malia and Olivia.
Alyse was a beloved member of the Summer 2018 Graduate Archer Fellow cohort and the Archer Fellow Alumni Association. Her generosity and kindness touched many members of the Archer Center community. Fellow alumni describe her as, “a light in the life of everyone who knew her.” Alyse “embodied love, compassion, and all that is good. To have been her friend was an honor and a privilege.” One of her classmates describes Alyse as “steadfast in committing her career to making the world a better place. She was an advocate, a role model, and a leader in higher education work.”
