Carlos Parker Named Academic Coordinator For Limestone's Real Men Lead Program

Carlos Parker, a native of Conway, has been named as the Academic Coordinator of Limestone University’s Real Men Lead Program that has been developed to provide intentional and focused services designed to improve outcomes for Black American male students in all facets of postsecondary education.

As the Academic Coordinator, Parker will facilitate educational intervention and support initiatives to promote the academic success of first-generation and low-income Black male students. In addition, he will work with the University’s Academic Success team to organize and promote supplemental instruction and student tutoring for program participants.

Limestone is receiving a $250,000 annual grant for the next five years from the U.S. Department of Education's Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Program to fund the new Real Men Lead initiative that will enhance Limestone’s capacity to serve more low- and middle-income Black American students, particularly males. With the grant, Limestone is also expanding those higher education opportunities by encouraging college preparation and student persistence. The PBI grant is also strengthening the financial ability of the institution to serve the academic needs of the students.

“Carlos has outstanding skills in student retention and academic success for young people,” said Dr. William Ross, Director of the Real Men Lead program. “As a young, successful black man, our program participants will be able to readily relate to him and the barriers he has had to overcome.”

Prior to his role at Limestone, Parker was a Coordinator with Upward Bound, a TRIO program and federally funded grant at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Also, he served as a Recruiter for Horry-Georgetown Technical College. In the public-school sector, Parker held various positions with Horry County Schools. He was a Graduation Coach with South Carolina GEAR UP, a federally funded grant. GEAR UP is an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. Additionally, he served as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).

 “I am honored to assist African-American male students as they commence and continue their post-secondary education,” Parker noted. “Having been a first-generation student, I can understand many aspects of young black college men’s journey. It is important for students to have a support system on campus and see someone with whom they can identify.”

Parker is a 2006 graduate of Clemson University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language & International Trade and minored in Music. While at Clemson, he was a member of four university choirs, including the Clemson University Gospel Choir and served as a Resident Assistant. He had the privilege to study abroad in Seville, Spain for one semester. Parker is also a 2017 graduate of Horry-Georgetown Technical College where he received an Associate of Applied Science in Digital Arts.