Walk with an Ambassador: Chase Parker

By Celia O’Brien, Undergraduate Admissions

Like many college students, it took Chase Parker a couple years to discover his passion. The UA senior from Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona started out as a Pre-Business major as a freshman and switched to Molecular and Cellular Biology before finally settling on Civil Engineering last year. Now, Chase says he’s found the right major and is better off because of it – even if it means he’ll graduate a year later than expected. "I like the idea of building something. It’s always been fascinating to me, ever since I was little. I’m a fan of green development – finding new and ecological ways of building structures."

This interest in environmentally friendly development led Chase to become involved in UA’s Engineers Without Borders, where he currently serves as president. Members of this organization travel abroad and work on projects in developing countries. Most recently, they helped to build a water purification system in Ghana that will supply 10,000 people with potable water. Chase says that the mission of the club aligns perfectly with his career goals. "I believe engineering is a lot about service to your community, and that’s a really direct way to serve the global community," he says.

Chase also serves the UA campus through the Arizona Ambassadors, a group of undergraduates who give campus tours to prospective students through the Office of Admissions. It was his own tour as a high school student that helped Chase decide to attend the UA, and he tries to pass this experience on to the hundreds of students and parents he meets each year. "I like talking to people and getting them excited about the UA because I love it so much. I figure if they see the excitement I have for it they might want to come here and experience it for themselves."

In addition, Chase also tutors math, physics and chemistry students through the Math and Science Tutoring Resource, a free program available to all UA students. He was also a member of the Chain Gang, a junior honorary that promotes school spirit and community service.

Chase believes his involvement has helped him find his own community on a relatively large campus. "I can walk on campus every single day and confidently say I can see five to ten people I know, just in passing. I never feel lost in the crowd. I never feel alone. It’s a very homey environment, because I know people."

He also believes it’s important for students to get excited about their college. "I would challenge you to take the time to know your campus, and know its history, so you can feel a part of something larger than yourself. You can go anywhere and get an education, and you can come to the UA and get an amazing education. But coming to the UA and really knowing what it means to ‘Bear Down’ is the greatest feeling ever."

Chase plans to graduate in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He hopes to work overseas some day in France or Northern Africa.

Celia O’Brien can be contacted via email at celiaob@email.arizona.edu