Ms. Melonie D. Parker, Google’s vice president for employee engagement, will give the keynote address at Commencement. In addition, Stillman College will confer an honorary degree to Ms. Parker.

A first-generation college graduate from an HBCU, Parker has built a career with 30+ years of experience aligning talent with company goals. She’s passionate about inclusive cultures and believes in “adding in instead of fitting in.”

“We are honored to welcome Ms. Parker to the Stillman College campus to speak with our graduates. She has shown her commitment to Stillman College through our partnership with Google and has been a strong champion and advocate for HBCUS. Her personal journey and passion about inclusive cultures will inspire our students,” said Dr. Yolanda W. Page, president of Stillman College.

A recognized industry leader, Parker has held HR leadership roles at Sandia National Laboratories and Lockheed Martin. She holds degrees from Hampton University and Villanova University and serves on several boards, including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Board of Trustees for Hampton University. Her support of HBCUs includes leading Google’s partnership with Stillman College, including combined grants and gifts of $1.5 million over the last two years to the College’s cybersecurity clinic and certification.Parker has been recognized by The Root 100 as one of its most influential Black Americans and she has been recognized by the Hampton University Alumni Association, named as one of 50 Black changemakers shaping tech on AfroTech’s Future 50 List, and was presented with a Sisters With Superpowers award by Rolling Out UrbanStyle Weekly. Parker was named HR Professional of the Year by the New Mexico Society of Human Resource Management and she was presented with a Special Recognition Award at the Women of Color STEM Awards. In addition, Parker was recognized by Girls, Inc. as a Champion for Girls Honoree and she was recognized by One Hundred Black Men of New York with a Corporate Leadership Award and New York Moves magazine as a Lift as You Rise Awardee.