Tenille Smith Parker '97

Parker is currently the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for the Office of Field Operations (OFO) in the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She plays a critical leadership role, ensuring effective implementation of HUD’s policies and programs across the country through its regional and field offices. Prior to this role, Parker was the Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) at HUD. She oversaw the nation’s largest and only federal disaster recovery grant portfolio that specifically helps low- and moderate-income families and communities rebuild after catastrophic disasters. Her efforts have resulted in the rehabilitation of 16,000 homes and nearly $100B of disaster recovery grants awarded. Parker began her career at HUD in 1998 as a Presidential Management Intern (now Fellow), serving in the Office of Block Grant Assistance working with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Parker’s local government work was a formative part of her career in public service. Parker previously worked for the city of Falls Church, Virginia. She was responsible for the development and implementation of affordable housing products and programs and administering the city’s CDBG and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs. Parker earned her Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from George Mason University. She is the recipient of the 2023 Service to the Citizen award for a website re-design focused on disaster survivors and improving customer experience and the 2019 Gears of Government Agency Award, Disaster Response & Long-Term Recovery Efforts. Parker’s commitment to service also extends to the community. Parker is a proud alumnus of George Mason University and served as President of the Alumni Association and several other alumni service roles for more than a decade. She continues to support Mason through mentoring students, guest lecturing in Mason’s Honors college, and as an active donor.

Education

• Master of Public Administration, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University (1998)
• BA, Government & Politics, George Mason University (1997)

Awards

• Service to the Citizen Award, Public Service Leadership Academy (2023),
  Gears of Government Agency Award, U.S. Office of Management and Budget/White House (2019)

Courses Taught

• HNRS 360: Community Engagement & Disaster Recovery