Tyler S. Parker 

Harvard College '17

A.B. in Government, Secondary in Film

Tyler Stephen Parker was born in Gainesville, FL on August 26, 1995 to loving parents Burton K. Parker and Joycette E. Parker. He has 2 older brothers, Kenneth and Brandon Parker, as well as one twin sister, Taylor Parker.

Biblical values were instilled in Tyler at a very young age. Every Sunday, Tyler attended Miracle Temple Church in High Springs where his grandfather Dr. Freddie Hickmon pastored. In addition, Tyler’s father, entering his own ministry, ensured that the family held bible studies nearly every Saturday to discuss the word of God and its place in each of their lives. The immersion in biblical teachings proved to shape his integrity into the steady moral foundation that it is today. 

Tragedy beset the Parker family in 2007 when his mother Joy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer to which she eventually succumbed in the summer of 2010. However, her insistence upon teaching him to value learning and academic excellence bore good fruit, and he was admitted to Harvard, Princeton, and Yale in 2013. 

Choosing Harvard, Tyler set about making an impact on its storied campus. He has been involved in Harvard Mock Trial, Harvard Model Congress, and Harvard College Faith and Action (HCFA), Harvard's largest Christian fellowship. 

Within HCFA, he has discipled a number of students and served as a DOXA Ministry Team Leader. As a DOXA MTL, he was responsible for organizing weekly Friday worship services for the fellowship and contributed to a complete restructuring of its team organization and an average twenty-five percent growth in weekly attendance. Additionally, Tyler is an intern and regular attendee of Aletheia Church under Pastor Adam Mabry.

His hobbies include writing and performing percussion music, making short films, and enjoying his grandma's astounding sweet potato pies.