Michael Parks is a proud native of Columbia, South Carolina and proudly refers to his capitol hometown as the "City of Dreams." He attended Ben Lippen School, where he served in student government and represented at Palmetto Boys State, a political leadership program. Michael stays involved with Boys State by serving as a senior counselor for one week every summer. 

 

Michael's tenure in USC student government began in 2014 as a member of the Congressional Advisory Board. There, he contributed extensive research on the policy issues of college affordability and sexual assault on college campuses while lobbying on behalf of the student body to members of Congress. Michael currently serves as the Secretary of Government Relations in the Executive Branch, where he is jumpstarting the "Our Future, Our Vote" presidential candidate speaker series. 

 

With experience working summers on Capitol Hill in a Congressional member's office, as well as a private sector lobbying firm, Michael is familiar with the policy process and the impact Washington decisions have on USC students. During the school year, Michael continues to build his political knowledge as an intern with the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center on campus. 

 

Michael is passionate about building and maintaining relationships with others, often found quoting his father's old adage of, "If you don't have time for people, then you're not much of a person." Through this philosophy, he has learned a lot about what matters to students across campus. Michael firmly believes that the biggest issues to the student body should be the issues of greatest importance to student government. As President, Michael's focus is to Engage, Empower, and Enrich the USC student experience.