Theresa Parrish Reflects on Administrative, Advising Career at Fay Jones School

Tara Ferkel

Theresa Parrish joined the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design in 2014 as an administrative assistant and has served as the academic counselor for first-year students since 2019. She plans to retire this May after nearly nine years with the school.

As the U of A strives to become an employer of choice, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design is highlighting the faculty and staff who help the school excel.

Theresa Parrish joined the Fay Jones School in 2014 as an administrative assistant. In 2019, she transitioned to her current position as the academic counselor for first-year students. Parrish plans to retire this May after nearly nine years with the school.

Parrish joined the school after seven years as a bereavement coordinator left her burnt out. She said she was looking for a job that she could enjoy, while also helping with her family's insurance needs.

Originally hired as an administrative assistant, she said she loved getting to work with the department heads and faculty. However, when an academic counselor position opened, she knew she had the skills to thrive.

"You learn in counseling school about unconditional positive regard for the person walking in the room," Parrish said. "Also, just being able to listen well, maybe read between the lines."

The Fay Jones School has grown quickly over the years, an issue Parrish experienced first-hand. Each semester she advises every first-year student. In the fall 2022 semester, that was 300 students, each with a 30-minute appointment.   

"It is just physically and mentally exhausting during advising season," Parrish said. "It is more difficult to provide individual help, to keep up with the students who are at risk."

Although Parrish said her office is one of her favorite places on campus, she enjoys an active lifestyle outside of work. She considers herself quite the fish and has completed the Big Shoulders Open Water Swim Classic on Lake Michigan three times. In her free time, she is brushing up on her Spanish with the desire to help at a nonprofit that advocates for poultry workers in Northwest Arkansas.

Throughout her work with design students, Parrish said she's ready to hear anything a student brings to her.

"I've heard it all — and probably some things that would curl your hair," Parrish said. "The more honest a student is when we meet, the better I can help them."

Read the full Q & A with Theresa Parrish here: https://designblog.uark.edu/faces-of-fay-theresa-parrish/.