Cindy Parnell
College Catalyst
since 2023Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions
I am a values-driven public service leader whose work at Arizona State University advances Principled Innovation through education, collaboration, and community engagement. Across my roles, I design and lead initiatives that prepare staff and students to navigate complex public challenges with ethical clarity, civic purpose, and a deep commitment to the common good. My approach centers on aligning learning with service while ensuring innovation is not only bold, but grounded in integrity and impact.
In my work with students, I focus on expanding access to public service pathways and cultivating leadership rooted in character, empathy, and systems thinking. Through experiential learning, cross-sector partnerships, and mission-driven programs, I help students connect academic knowledge to real-world challenges and community needs. These experiences empower students to see themselves as capable changemakers, prepared to lead across the corporate, government, nonprofit, and civic spaces with purpose and responsibility.
In collaboration with colleagues and community partners, I am known for building trust, bridging silos, and co-creating solutions that reflect shared values. I bring together faculty, staff, students, and public service organizations to design initiatives that are inclusive, community-embedded, and responsive to societal needs. This collaborative, ethical approach reflects Principled Innovation in action and aligns ASU’s institutional strengths with meaningful, lasting public impact.