Things have become more complicated for higher education in 2025, with executive orders, grant terminations, funding reductions, and investigations. This isn't the first time higher education has faced a crisis; what's different this time, or is it? Teresa Valerio Parrot provides perspective and advice on navigating tumultuous times.

Teresa Valerio Parrot, Principal, TVP Communications

Teresa is known for honesty juxtaposed with optimism; the two combine to provide communications counsel focused on transparent leadership and relationship building. Teresa helps higher education executives truthfully share excellence and genuinely own mistakes through their communications and actions because she knows honesty is present in all sound proactive and crisis outreach.

Previously, Teresa served as senior vice president for Widmeyer Communications and vice president for SimpsonScarborough. She counts almost 10 years of service with the University of Colorado, including an officer-level appointment as Assistant Secretary of the University. She is co-host of the Trusted Voices Podcast, co-editor of Call to Action for Inside Higher Ed, has numerous bylines with national and higher education media, and is a frequent keynote speaker.

She was awarded the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence by CASE and serves as a CASE Laureate. Teresa earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Colorado Boulder, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver, and a doctoral degree in higher education policy and leadership from Southern Methodist University. She is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She serves on the boards of PRSA and the Colorado-based Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and is a member of the Denver Ballet Guild.

Resources

Trusted Voices Podcast https://tvpcommunications.com/trusted-voices-podcast-season-one-recap/

Issues of Educational Leadership: Crisis Management during Challenging Times (2021) by Fern Aefsky

The Prepared Leader: Emerge from Amy Crisis More Resilient Than Before (2022) by Erika H. James and Lynn Perry Wooten