The CTLE is excited to announce our new Training and Development Consultant, Jessica Parsons. Please learn a little about Jessica and give her a big welcome when you see her in the CTLE!
Jessica began her career in higher education as a student in 2019 at Paradise Valley Community College as an OER Specialist where she helped to build the college’s zero-textbook-cost initiatives, advocating for students and working with faculty to meet their course needs. When the pandemic hit, she shifted to supporting faculty transitioning to online instruction, including developing training videos, hosting workshops, and providing one-on-one coaching. That experience sparked her passion for teaching and training, leading her to serve as an adjunct faculty member in Computer Information Systems, where she focuses on real-world application and problem-solving skills.
As she’s continued to learn and grow her skills, she most recently completed a temporary assignment with Maricopa Community Colleges District Office, facilitating Performance Success training and helping to develop a streamlined training strategy for future sessions. She is currently completing her Master’s in Educational Technology with an emphasis in Adult Education at Northern Arizona University, graduating in December 2025.
Jessica brings leadership experience from her years with the Civil Air Patrol, where she developed and delivered trainings that focused on building teamwork, confidence, and practical skills in teens and adults. Jessica bridges the gap between her passion for technology and education with a strong emphasis on the power of storytelling. Her background in theatre has demonstrated the importance of empathy, communication, and personalization in the educational experience.
When she’s not working, she’s usually participating in theatre, having co-founded a theatre company (Desert Rose Theatre) and specializing in Stage Combat. She’s performed around the valley, including with Southwest Shakespeare and Arizona Opera. She enjoys spending time with her parents and her identical twin sister. She’s recently rediscovered a love of reading and her hobbies include crochet and story-driven video games.
