Martha Parham

Dr. Martha M. Parham is the senior vice president, public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges. Parham leads the marketing, publications, media and public relations, and oversees AACC’s 21st Century Center. Prior to joining AACC, Parham was the Director of Public Affairs, Marketing and Government Relations at the Coast Community College District, where she directed the marketing, communications, media and public relations, graphics and printing, and government relations and advocacy activities of the ninth largest community college district in California. She also served as the Executive Director to the Coast CCD Foundation. While at Coast, Parham lead the campaign for Measure M, securing nearly $800-million in General Obligation Bond funds for the district’s three colleges. Parham is a member of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. She is a past president of the Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) and served on the board for the Association of Community College Administrators. She has won numerous awards from NCMPR and CCPRO for her creativity in developing advertisements and publications, event planning and advocacy strategies. Parham has been the recipient of several awards, including All Pro Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Community College Public Relations Organization, and the Coast District Manager of the Year. Prior to joining the staff at the Coast Community College District, Parham spent her time at Disneyland as an Imagineer, where she served in an administrative capacity tracking graphics and lighting design projects for Tarzan’s Treehouse, New Tomorrowland and the Disney Gallery. A native of Virginia, Parham received her bachelor’s degree in English from Longwood University, a master’s degree in English in 2005, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2011.