Shannon L. Isovitsch Parks is an Associate Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ), focused on teaching water resources and environmental engineering. Prior to joining UPJ in 2016, Dr. Parks worked for approximately 15 years in industry, including developing sustainable wastewater treatment and solid waste reuse technologies, serving on the Alcoa Foundation Board of Directors, and consulting for government agencies, municipalities, and industrial clients. In addition to her industry and academic experience, Dr. Parks served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa, supporting a local Non-Governmental Organization on water sanitation projects. Dr. Parks is a registered Professional Engineer and holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and a MS and PhD degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Education & Training
- Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2008.
- M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2005.
- B.S., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1997.
Representative Publications
- Ozis, F., Parks, S.L.I., Sills, D., Akca, M., Kirby, C. (2022) “Teaching Sustainability: Does Style Matter?”, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
- Parks, S.L.I., Klavuhn, K., Wieserman, L., Miller, A., Tumkor, S. “Academic Integrity during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” 2022 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings; June 26-29, 2022.
- Parks, S.L.I. “Classroom-based games for student learning and engagement”, 126th ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings, Tampa, FL; June 16-19, 2019.
- Kinney, M., Parks, S.L.I., and Smith, J.R. (2018). “Advanced On-lot Wastewater Treatment for Nitrogen Removal,” Keystone Water Quality Manager, 35-41.
- Parks, S.L. Isovitsch and VanBriesen, J.M. (2009). “Booster disinfection for response to contamination in a drinking water distribution system.” J. of Water Resources Planning & Management, (135)6, 502-511.
Research Grants
- “Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater.” The Mentorship Fund to Support Faculty-Student Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities Grant. $1000, Spring 2019; $700 Fall 2018.
- “Geostatistical evaluation of precipitation data sources for streamflow analysis.” The Mentorship Fund to Support Faculty-Student Scholarship Research and Creative Activities. $495 Spring 2018; $300 Fall 2017.
- “Geostatistical evaluation of precipitation data sources for streamflow analysis.” College Research Grant from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. $2,000. Summer 2017.
- “Advanced onlot wastewater treatment technology development.” The Mentorship Fund to Support Faculty-Student Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities. $500 Fall 2016.
