Kathrin Parks

Kathrin Parks serves as Associate Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean for the School of Science & Health at Loras College, where she has held faculty positions since returning in 2007 after completing her doctorate.

Her academic foundation includes undergraduate studies at Loras College (B.A. in Sociology, History, and German with International Studies minor, 1998), followed by graduate work at Texas A&M University (M.S. 2003, Ph.D. in Sociology 2007).

• B.A., Loras College, 1998
• M.S., Texas A&M University, 2003
• Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 2007

Dr. Parks' research program centers on systemic inequalities, particularly racial and educational disparities, with recent expansion into pandemic impacts on academic professionals. Her teaching portfolio spans sociology of education, social demography, research methodology, and race/justice frameworks, reflecting her commitment to empirical analysis of social structures.

Her scholarly contributions include analysis of the 2020 lockdown's effects on academic mothers, demonstrating her ability to address timely socioeconomic disruptions through sociological lenses.

Professional recognition includes the prestigious Fulbright Teaching Assistantship award.

• Fulbright Teaching Assistant (1998-1999)

Beyond academia, Dr. Parks actively engages civic life as president of the Dubuque Community School Board since 2019, applying her expertise to local education policy.