Caring Campus Employee Spotlight: Tunetha Parchem

For St. Philip’s College (SPC) Associate Professor Tunetha Parchem, a commitment to student success begins with compassion and honesty.

Parchem, who also serves as program director for the Physical Therapist Assistant program in the college’s Health Sciences and Histology Department, brings over 14 years of experience in physical therapy to the classroom. She holds a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Her journey into the field began in high school. As a junior and cross-country runner, Parchem suffered a knee injury that required physical therapy. The experience inspired her to pursue a career in the medical field, where she could help others recover and regain mobility.

“I knew I wanted to help people by going into the medical field, and this experience helped narrow my focus on how to do that,” she said.

Parchem’s connection to SPC began as a student, where she completed prerequisites for her kinesiology degree. After gaining experience in the field, she transitioned into teaching and joined the college as a full-time instructor in 2017.

At the college, Parchem chairs the Wellness Committee, a role she has held for nearly five years, helping lead health initiatives for the campus community.

In addition to her academic role, Parchem remains active in the profession, working once a month at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital to maintain her clinical skills as a physical therapist assistant.

Her teaching reflects the principles of the Caring Campus initiative, emphasizing both accountability and compassion.

“My approach is to be firm but caring,” Parchem said. “I lead with humility. I treat students fairly and ensure my expectations are clearly stated.”

Parchem maintains an open-door policy and regularly personally connects students with campus resources.

“Throughout the semester, I remind my students that I care about them,” she said. “It’s not always about just reaching success.”

She encourages students to trust their journey, even when it takes unexpected turns.

“I always remind my students, sometimes life doesn’t work out the way you think it will, and that’s OK,” Parchem said. “This is the path you are supposed to be on. You’re exactly where you need to be.”