Meet Our Thought Leaders: Jeff Parker, Educational Visioning

Jeff Parker, architect and educational planner, has been with SHP for 17 of his 25 years in the industry. Known for his passionate dedication to his work, Jeff leads the educational visioning activities for the firm and often shares his thoughts and insights throughout the community and on our website.

What is your favorite thing about your role at SHP?
As an architect and educational planner at SHP, I get to help shape learning. From designing spaces that transform the way education takes place, to gathering district stakeholders together in order to help them cast vision for their new spaces… all of the work I do is done with the purpose of redefining learning.

Getting to see the reactions of the students that are impacted by their new buildings is the most exciting and life-giving part of my job. It reminds me that I’m doing more than designing buildings… I’m getting to play a part in something much bigger.

How has your job/the industry changed since you first started working?
The tools are all different: cooler, faster and more engaging. But communication is still the most important part of the design process. Understanding and articulating exactly what the consumer or client values and needs is the first step to designing anything.

When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite things to do?
I enjoy playing Settlers of Catan with my family (my wife, Brenda, and our three children; Ellie, Anna and Sam), and playing basketball and volleyball.

Is there anything else you want people to know about, your career or SHP?
Fun fact: I have an SHP tattoo… I hope the logo doesn’t change too much!