Shanice Parker

B.F.A., Art Education and B.F.A., Studio Art: Drawing and Painting

By Melisa Brown, senior director, communications, University Brand Strategy and Communications

“I don’t just want to be a good teacher, I want to be a great one,” Shanice Parker says. “I plan to do for others what’s been done for me, and I want to influence my students in ways they’ll take with them when they enter their careers and for the rest of their lives.”

Art and education have long been a huge part of Shanice’s life. It’s no wonder she wants to combine the two. Another huge part of her life? Her family, for whom Mean Green Pride runs deep. After her brother, Donavan, earned his bachelor’s degree in applied behavior analysis psychology at UNT, Shanice’s mom encouraged her and her fraternal twin sister, Shania — a UNT alumna who majored in journalism — to attend the university, too. 

It didn’t take much convincing. After Shanice learned about UNT’s art program and discovered what a wonderful place the College of Visual Arts and Design is, she was sold. And as Dallas natives, being close to home and commuting together was a win-win for the sisters. “We joke with my mom about all the money she’s saved on bumper stickers and T-shirts since we all attended the same university — and about the fact that she’s not just a North Texas mom, she’s a UNT mom,” Shanice says. 

One of Shanice’s favorite things about UNT is that there’s always something to do. With an interest in Japanese, she quickly found like-minded friends who made studying the language easier. She also loved the events the University Program Council hosts and, for a while, she was one of the co-chairs for the National Art Education Association UNT Chapter.

But what she’s loved most about UNT is the relationships she’s built with her instructors, who have supported her in countless ways throughout her journey.

“I have had so many wonderful professors, people who really cared about whether or not I succeeded,” Shanice says. “Once I got into art education, I really leaned on a couple of them — Dr. Beth Link and Dr. Laura Evans. They’ve made themselves available to me to talk about just about anything. They’re so encouraging. I’ve been thinking about pursuing a master’s degree or teaching college, and they’re both inspiring to talk to. It gets me excited about my future.”

As much as she loves her professors, her true role models are her parents, who encouraged their children to explore and develop their individual strengths so they could pursue the careers of their dreams. For Shanice, that meant a career in art.

“I was always told I was really good at art — great, in fact,” she says. “I think it all started in elementary school when I had an art teacher, whose name was Ms. Parker. How cool is that? Same last name as me! And being in college has really inspired me to try different types of mediums.”

Shanice can’t remember exactly when it started, but her love for art has continued to grow and evolve over the years.

“Right now, I guess I consider myself a mixed media artist. I’ve been experimenting with that, but I really love portraiture, using mixed mediums,” she says.

“I want the world to see my work as a view into different perspectives that they may not have otherwise been exposed to. I want them to see past what’s on the paper and into the souls of my subjects. I want people to relate to the piece, even when it’s not reflective of their own experiences.”

As this chapter of her life nears its end, Shanice is embracing the unknown — and all the possibilities that come with it. “I could continue my education. I could teach abroad. I could do anything,” she says. “There are so many options. I can’t wait to see where this education and my life take me.”

When asked what advice she would give incoming freshman, Shanice says, “Embrace the hardships — they’re part of life and will help you build character. Maybe the first thing you try doesn’t work out, but I promise you this: You’ll have that much more determination to finish what you start next time. And that will better define who you are.”