By Doug Carroll
GCU News Bureau
Perhaps the highest praise for a student worker is that he or she doesn’t seem like one at all.
That’s the impression junior Jon Parris leaves with those who have occasion to receive his considerable IT expertise.
“He treats his job like a profession,” says Stacy Marra of Human Resources, who has been bailed out of a few jams by Parris. “He’s quiet and unassuming, and he carries himself with a lot of maturity.”
For his work in IT, Parris has been named Student Worker of the Month by the Office of Career Services. He was nominated by his supervisor, David Hensiek, who values his attention to detail and willingness to tackle advanced troubleshooting situations.
Parris, 21, is a pre-med major who does some of the same sort of tech work for AzHOSA, the GCU chapter of Health Occupations Students of America, one of the largest and most active clubs on campus.
He always has been a go-to guy among the cyber challenged.
“My brothers and I built computers back in grade school,” says Parris, a Phoenix native who graduated from Cactus High School. “I was a pretty big nerd back then.”
Both brothers now have careers in technology, and Jon’s two sisters graduated from GCU in justice studies and nursing. Their mother, Debi, formerly was on staff at the University, known for her efforts in working with international students and overseeing the regalia team at commencement.
Jon’s not all about PowerPoint. He’s into power chords, too, and he played guitar for the alt-rock band We Were Strangers until recently.
“My GPA took a hit, and I had to fix that,” he says, explaining the breakup of the band.
Marra, who puts on harassment-prevention seminars for HR, says that Parris sees the big picture.
“He understands the importance of fully functioning equipment to the quality of our program -- and is willing to stay beyond the initial setup if necessary,” she says. "He actively listens, responds appropriately and provides solutions. His commitment to outstanding customer service is to be commended."
Hensiek has an answer for how he’ll manage when Parris is graduated and gone.
“I’m going to change his grades so he sticks around longer,” he jokes.
Contact Doug Carroll at 639.8011 or [email protected].
