Park University, a private college in Parkville, MO has elected three new members to the Board of Trustees who bring diverse expertise to the institution’s governing body. Starting July 1, the three new members will serve three-year terms.
The new trustees are:
- Andrea Hendricks, Ed.D., who is also the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Tico Productions in Kansas City.
- Merideth Rose, who is also the president and CEO of Cornerstones of Care in Kansas City.
- Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., who also serves as president of Metropolitan Community College’s Longview Campus in Lee’s Summit.
Hendricks, a Lee’s Summit resident, is an executive specializing in human resources and diversity initiatives. She authored “The BIG Journey: Bold Inclusion for Greatness,” a blueprint for business leaders on building capacity around diversity and inclusion. Hendricks holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and degrees from Kansas State University.
Rose, from Independence, brings extensive experience in community service and emergency management. She previously worked with the Community Services League, Independence School District and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At FEMA, Rose led the agency’s largest community relations deployment of 1,300 emergency responders following Superstorm Sandy in 2012. She is a two-time alumna of Park University.
Swanson, of Parkville, has been a higher education leader in community colleges since 1992. She has served as president of MCC-Longview since August 2021, following eight years as MCC’s vice chancellor for student success and engagement. Swanson earned her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of North Texas.
Park University, founded in 1875, now serves more than 6,600 students. With its main campus in Parkville, the university now operates 23 campuses across 16 states, including locations on 15 military installations, and offers online programs.
