Life is Singing Award Honoree
About the Life is Singing Award
“O Hampton, we never can make thee a song, Except as our lives do the singing” - The Hampton University Alma Mater This award recognizes an alumnus of Hampton University who has demonstrated a strong lifelong commitment to fulfilling the values of Hampton University and the NHAA, Inc. The mission of an education for life that is shown through their work of the head, heart, and hand. They will have iconic levels of impact and influence either inside or outside the Hampton community. This person’s influence is broad and impactful.
Melonie Parker, ‘88
Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, Google
Melonie Parker is an HR executive committed to innovative, relevant, and contemporary HR leadership. She is anadvocate for change and a passionate thought leader. Parker is responsible for advancing Google’s employee engagement strategy across Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Prior to this role she served as the Vice President of Human Resources & Communications at Sandia National Laboratories. Parker was responsible for the leadership and Labs-wide management of human resources, health, benefits and employee services. She was also responsible for Sandia’s communication efforts, which include planning, strategy, executive communications, media relations, external branding, community affairs and internal communications. Prior to joiwning Sandia as the VP of HR and Communications, Parker extended expertise from a career spanning over 17 years in a variety of Lockheed Martin business areas, locations, and progressive leadership roles. During her time at Lockheed Martin, she has held responsibility for employee relations, staffing, EEO/Affirmative Action, diversity programs, compensation, benefits, and K-12 outreach initiatives.
Parker received a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University and an M.A. in Human Resources from Villanova University. She was named the 2016 HR Professional of the Year by the New Mexico Society of Human Resource Management. She was recognized with a Special Recognition Award at the 2014 Women of Color STEM Awards, and
Award Presenter
Lauren Parker, ‘08
Dr. Lauren J. Parker is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her National Institute of Health funded research examines how home-and-community based supports can be used to address the cultural needs of African American and Hispanic caregivers for people with dementia. She is a subject matter leader and holds leadership roles in the CDC BOLD Public Health Centers of Excellence (PHCOE) on Dementia Caregiving at the University of Minnesota, the National Adult Day Service Association, and the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center.
Dr. Parker completed her post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She earned a dual-title PhD in Gerontology and Health Promotion from Purdue University, and is a proud Hampton University graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. Dr. Parker provides service to her local communities by initiating health education awareness programs related to brain health and dementia caregiving support events. She also provides service to her beloved alma-mater by encouraging and recruiting students to pursue graduate-level education and providing them research opportunities to engage with the CDC BOLD PHCOE. She is also an active member of the Baltimore chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
