Rate My Professor Tracy Parker

Tracy Parker, J.D., serves as Professor of Paralegal and Program Manager of the Paralegal Studies program at Frederick Community College, where she joined in 2001 initially on a temporary basis to evaluate program viability before securing a full-time faculty position. She holds a B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law. Dr. Parker's career encompasses over fifteen years of collegiate teaching and program management experience, complemented by prior roles involving insurance corporate in-house counsel, juvenile prosecution, and fundraising for law in the public interest. She remains actively engaged with professional affiliations in the legal field and paralegal education, leveraging resources from the American Association for Paralegal Education for ongoing development.

Under Dr. Parker's stewardship, the Paralegal Program transformed into the college's fastest-growing initiative from 2001 to 2004. She led a thorough curriculum overhaul, adding eight new legal specialty courses and revising three existing ones to address evolving industry demands and employer expectations. Dr. Parker founded the Paralegal Advisory Committee, Paralegal Student Association, and vital partnerships with Maryland Legal Aid and the Bar Association of Frederick County. These advancements secured national approval from the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) and authorization for a Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) chapter, the national paralegal honor society. As the sole full-time faculty in the program, she delivers over 70% of legal specialty courses, manages adjunct faculty, schedules classes, develops content and assessments, and coordinates with college administration. As advisor to the Paralegal Student Association, she oversees Pro Bono Day events delivering free legal services to more than 400 Frederick County residents, extending to Washington County, alongside resume workshops, mock interviews, and book exchanges. Program graduates attain positions in Frederick, Hagerstown, Rockville, Bethesda, Baltimore, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Florida, New York, and Kentucky, while others transfer to law schools including Georgetown University Law Center, University of Maryland School of Law, and George Washington University Law School. External reviewers have lauded her leadership, dedication, and the program's robust community ties and internship-to-employment pipeline. On sabbatical, Professor Parker advanced state-wide legal services connectivity efforts.