Parish Jefferson

Parish Jefferson, September 2009, photograph by Lydia Crafts

Parish Jefferson is a second year graduate student at the University of Texas School of Social Work. During his first year he was selected as a Dean’s Ambassador and recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship. His primary areas of study are criminal and juvenile justice systems, youth delinquency prevention programs, community re-entry, and policy and legislation related to these issues. During the 2009 Texas Legislature session he worked at the Legislative Budget Board analyzing and identifying the cost-effectiveness of state and local funds in criminal justice system by recommending means to improve deterrent and rehabilitative capabilities within the Texas criminal justice system. Parish has additional experience working with Travis County Juvenile Probation’s Deferred Prosecution Unit where juveniles are informally processed for misdemeanor offenses, and mediation and community service restitution services are used to hold the juvenile accountable for his or her offense.

Mr. Jefferson serves as Board Vice President for the Ortralla LuWone Mosley Foundation, Inc. which works to end teen dating abuse.

A native of California, Parish came to Austin to pursue a graduate degree. His education includes a Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis.