Faculty Expertise:
Educational Background
Dr. Parla served as a superintendent of schools in New York and New Jersey for more than seventeen years. He also served as an assistant superintendent for business, elementary school principal and classroom teacher. In addition to his experience as a public school administrator and teacher, Dr. Parla served as a member of his local board of education for fourteen years.
Dr. Parla received recognition for his service in public education. The majority of his career was in New York where he received the PTA Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Award, New York State PTA honorary life membership, honorary membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society and many proclamations from local and state legislators. In New Jersey, he was recognized as number 14 on Mercer County’s list of the “25 Most Interesting People in 2013.”
Dr. Parla was a frequent presenter and panelist for the New York State School Boards Association regarding a variety of topics in education including curriculum development, careers in education and school finance. He also participated as a guest speaker and panelist at Adelphi University, Hofstra University and Dowling College. He was a member of the Adelphi University School of Education Advisory Committee, Nassau Music Educators Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of SCOPE, a nonprofit organization supporting schools on Long Island. He is past president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents.
Prior to pursuing a career in public school administration, Dr. Parla served as Assistant Dean of the Hagan School of Business at Iona College and Director of Public Communications for NYNEX. He is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Urban Education Leaders Doctoral Program at Columbia University Teachers College and the Graduate Education Program at Touro College. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Treasure Coast Community Health, serving as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. He is also a member of the School Advisory Council, Treasure Coast Technical College, Florida.
Dr. Parla received a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta, a Master of Arts from Adelphi University, a Master of Business Administration from Iona College and a Doctor of Education from Columbia University Teachers College.