June 2023 – Graduate

Cherokee Nation 
Tahlequah, OK

Scholarship: Science Post Graduate Scholarship Fund
School: Sam Houston State University  
Degree: Instructional Systems Design & Technology  
GPA: 4.0

Mary is the Public Affairs Manager for the National Indian Gaming Commission, an independent federal regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior. In this position, Parker is responsible for national policy, planning, management, and evaluation of communication programs encompassing media engagement, internal information, external relations, social media platforms, and legislative affairs.

Prior to this role, Mary was the Management and Programs Analyst for the NIGC and Instructional Systems Specialist. She continues to grow and shape each role she has taken on and focuses her work on creating a foundation for the agency to establish effective communication, messaging, and outreach to the agency’s stakeholders. Before her role within the NIGC, Parker served as the first Compliance trainer for Cherokee Nation Entertainment, where her focus was designing, developing, and implementing regulatory compliance training for all casino employees. She worked for her tribe for seven years before joining the agency.

In 2020, Parker was named to the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 40 Under 40 and was also awarded the Emerging Leaders of Gaming recognition by Global Gaming Business magazine. In 2021, Parker was named an Achiever Under 40 by the Journal Record Magazine, located out of Oklahoma City. A native of Tahlequah Oklahoma, Parker received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Mental Health from Northeastern State University in 2006. She earned her master’s degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma in 2017. She is currently in the doctoral program for Instructional Systems Design and Technology at Sam Houston State University. Parker is also a certified online professional trainer (COPT).

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