Dr. Leo Parvis

Dr. Leo Parvis is a Principal Instructor in the Arts and Sciences Department at Dunwoody College of Technology teaching Cultural Diversity, Global Studies, and the Psychology of Happiness. He is also teaching diversity for psychology & counseling at Argosy University. He teaches both traditional classroom-based and online courses. He is also the president of diversitypromotions.com, a small company dedicated to promoting diversity through the creation of the Embrace Diversity logo and product line, as well as through the establishment of National Diversity Day, and is also the president of its sister company, Embrace Publications & Consulting, which educates people about diversity through publications, presentations, and diversity training.

In July 2007, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award of Walden University for his work on diversity and social change. In September 2004, he received The Dunwoody Observer Award for Achieving Excellence for his work on quarterly Cultural Diversity Forums, which brings external diversity experts on campus to discuss issues of multiculturalism with students, faculty, and staff of Dunwoody (held 56 forums so far). He received the Dunwoody's Dean's Award in Appreciation of a Commitment to Industry and Technology in 2010. He is also the co-chair of Dunwoody's Diversity Action Council.

Dr. Parvis is also actively publishing a variety of diversity-related materials, including a cultural diversity textbook (Understanding Cultural Diversity in Today's Complex World, 5th ed., 2012), and a book on diversity management and several other diversity-related books and materials. He writes a regular column called an "Eye on Diversity" for the Chaska Herald newspaper. He is a past member of the National Association for Multicultural Education, a past member of the National Association for Ethnic Studies, and has also presented at a number of educational conferences about diversity education. He served on the Chaska Human Rights Commission for 5 years. Dr. Parvis has a Ph.D. in Health and Human Services from Walden University, and an M.A. in Geography and Political Science from Western Michigan University. Dr. Parvis is an active member of Toastmasters International and has received his Gold level designation. His goal is to be a DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) by the end of 2013.