Carol was on the faculty in the UNC School of Public Health Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE - now the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Department of Health Behavior) for eight years, until she left in 2002 for the University of Southern Connecticut.
Less than a year after Carol began her tenured position there, she wrote that "Last week, I, along with all of the new faculty hired this year, received a nonrenewal/layoff notice as part of the Governor's budget resolution plan. It's gotten to be a nasty fight between him and the unions, who are saying it was an illegal move according to our contract. They also keep saying things will be overturned, but in the meantime I AM looking for another job."
Fortunately, four days later she wrote:
Well, yesterday, our chair told us that the President himself has "given" to our department the two positions from his own office, which would cover me and my colleague who was also released. So we will not have to be involved in any "fight" over those vacant positions. So as of TODAY, my job has been restored. Of course, we'll have to go through all the paperwork and ultimate approval by the Chancellor and Governor. But according to my boss, "the crisis" is over."
During 2003-2004 she was the chair of the APHA Caucus on Public Health and the Faith Community (https://apha.confex.com/apha/132am/techprogram/program_387.htm)
In May 2006 she left Connecticut to move to Springfield MA, where her husband was minister at a church. A year later she accepted a research fellowship at the CDC in Atlanta. After ten years at CDC she accepted a teaching position at Temple University in her hometown of Philadelpha PA.
On September 24, 2024, she posted on Facebook:Carolyn P Parks is celebrating my birthday. Today I’m 70 years old! Threescore and 10 the Bible calls it. Neither my oldest sister nor brother, the role models and idols of my youth, made it to this age, passing away at 62 and 52, respectively. As a result, as the third child in line, I often wondered whether or not I would make it. But I did!and on September 28, 2024:
I’m now 70 years old! SO thankful to the Lord for His great faithfulness to me over these many years. &dblquote;I was young, and now I’m old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken…&dblquote; He’s a good and faithful Father. I cannot fully express the depth of my gratefulness. For the rest of my life, I'll praise and thank Him.
This week I will celebrate two milestones - my 70th and my 40-year retirement. In honor of both, would you please sign my Kudoboard? The board is a way to document special occasions like this. It accepts messages, pictures, gifs, and other forms of expression. Would you please offer your blessings, advice, and encouragement as I enter this new stage of life? Any special memories too! I’m hoping for 70 signatures! 😄 Here’s the link! Thanks in advance. https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/hZYuypFd The Lord is great and greatly to be praised. Bless the Lord oh my soul! An eternally grateful 70 year old!
Carolyn P Parks
Last week I celebrated two milestones - my 70th birthday and my 40-year retirement. In honor of both, would you please sign my Kudoboard? The board is a way to document special occasions like this. It accepts messages, pictures, gifs, and other forms of expression. Would you please offer your blessings, advice, and encouragement as I enter this new stage of life? Any special memories too! I’m hoping for 70 signatures! 😄 Here’s the link! Thanks in advance! (The Kudoboard is at https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/hZYuypFd?fbclid=IwY2xjawGk4blleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZhNLBcA_BlRy_9rbkf1zYoDiADae3LUWcZN_lIA7GR8BbgwLZlF3A62-w_aem_5JEPgz-Ou01tqqMMfuzqBw)