Cindy Parnell, M.Ed. is the inaugural Chief of Public Service for the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University, where she also holds the Michael M. Crow and Sybil Francis Endowed Directorship at the Public Service Academy. With over 25 years of experience across education, nonprofit, public, and private sectors, Cindy is known for her leadership in scaling student leadership models, building innovative cross-sector partnerships, and creating meaningful connections between universities and the communities they serve. She is regarded for her ability to build effective teams and lead complex operations with clarity, strategy, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work.
As Chief of Public Service, Cindy leads a dynamic team dedicated to advancing ASU’s commitment to community-embedded, solutions-oriented work. She oversees a portfolio of high-impact initiatives, including:
- Action Nexus on Housing and Homelessness: Addressing urgent housing challenges through strategic partnerships and research.
- Design Studio for Community Solutions: Co-creating innovative, community-driven solutions with communities, local government, and ASU collaborations.
- Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC): Developing students as cross-sector leaders committed to addressing complex social challenges.
- Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service: Inspiring civic engagement locally and statewide while preparing students for impactful public service careers.
- Public Service Academy (PSA): Empowering the next generation of public servants and changemakers with a focus on civilian-military shared experiences.
Cindy’s leadership fosters collaboration across ASU’s colleges, students, faculty, and external stakeholders. Her work ensures that ASU’s public service initiatives not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to sustainable, systemic change.
Before assuming her current role, Cindy served as Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Career and Professional Development Services at ASU. In that role, she helped reimagine career services in higher education, leading efforts to integrate career readiness across academic programs and expanding partnerships with employers. She also led university-wide strategies to strengthen corporate engagement, positioning ASU as a “University of Choice” for Fortune 500 companies and cultivating new relationships with emerging employers.
Cindy is a contributor and thought leader in the public service and civic engagement space. In ASU News (November 2024), she reflected on the 10-year impact of the Public Service Academy, emphasizing how the Next Generation Service Corps continues to shape students as cross-sector leaders grounded in character-driven values. She also contributed to ASU’s Forum on Innovating for Competitive Statecraft in 2023, highlighting the PSA’s success and impact, specifically focusing on NGSC student Mission Teams working on critical social issues like homelessness, health care, and water security. From Washington Monthly (October 2022), in an ASU News article, she emphasized the role PSA played in helping ASU achieve a top national ranking for community service. Cindy has been featured at multiple speaking engagements, including ASU’s Flag Officer Advisory Council, Salute to Service Week’s Public Service in Federal Careers panel, and during the annual NGSC Leadership Conference. Cindy has shared the stage with ambassadors, military leaders, and policy makers on topics ranging from student leadership and career development to cross-sector collaboration and civic innovation.
Cindy is a member of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and served as a judge for the NASPAA National Student Simulation Competition in 2025, lending her expertise to support the next generation of public service professionals.
A proud Arizona native, Cindy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Northern Arizona University.