JENNIFER PARGA, is a full-time regional field faculty at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, teaching Virtual Field Practicum, field seminar and serving as a point of contact for field liaisons assisting students in Southern California.

Prior to joining USC, Parga diligently supported first-generation college students via service learning opportunities in partnership with San Diego-based high schools, nonprofits and community-based organizations in the most diverse community in San Diego. She avidly worked with donors to create a supplemental scholarship program to bring financial support to program alumni through a $100,000 annual scholarship.

As a community organizer with an emphasis in consensus organizing, Parga was contracted to provide state-wide trainings in Georgia and lead local initiatives with the San Diego Foundation to create sustainable solutions through identifying mutual self-interest and capacity building. During that time, she spent several years on the Coordinating Council of Mid-City Community Advocacy Network during one of the most impactful placed-based funding initiatives implemented in partnership with the California Endowment.

From 2005 to 2015, she served on the board of directors for the National Association of Social Workers and served as San Diego-Region E regional director and California state secretary.

Parga is currently a member of Online Learning Consortium, NASW and Council on Social Work Education, and gives strategic support and consultation to the Trauma Informed Task Force of Greater Los Angeles.