Photo courtesy Parker Prysiazniuk ’25
Parker Prysiazniuk ’25 went to Berlin, Germany, this summer to serve as the head delegation liaison for Special Olympics Perú through a Lovelace Fund for Discovery grant. The Special Olympics World Games began on June 17 and go through June 25.
Parker has been involved with the Special Olympics for nearly eight years, starting as a coach and mentor in his hometown of Mocksville, North Carolina.
“My fervor for working with individuals with intellectual disabilities has since grown exponentially, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to take my commitment from local to national and global levels,” Parker said. “Being around athletes from 190 delegations around the world is awe-inspiring, and I am excited to be alongside Olimpiadas Espesicales Perú for the rest of the Games. ¡Vamos Perú!”
Following the Games, Parker will complete his Global Perspective summer in Kumasi, Ghana, to conduct public health research for the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and volunteer for the Eleos Cares Foundation, a nonprofit that supports community healthcare projects worldwide.
Prior to Germany, Parker took a stop-out year to travel solo through South and Central America and complete a NOLS India course through the Himalayas. He’ll rejoin the scholar community on campus this fall.
Learn more about Parker’s experience.
The Global Perspective summer is an opportunity to conduct an independent research project or learn about a new sector or part of the world through a more traditional internship.
Learn more about the Morehead-Cain Summer Enrichment Program.
