UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — William Parquette, professor of practice in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), will retire on June 30 after six years with the University.
Parquette joined the College of IST with 40 years of intelligence experience. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army following 22 years of active service and 18 years in the intelligence community, where he visited and worked on six continents. Parquette served in the Gulf War’s 3rd Armored Division, the Research and Analysis Center of the U.S. Army, and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, among other units. An expert in strategic intelligence; denial and deception operations; planning, analysis and collection, he is the former chairman of the Foreign Denial and Deception Committee in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and was a faculty member at National Intelligence University for 13 years.
“Bill has been an instrumental contributor to our security and risk analysis program, drawing on his years of national intelligence expertise to keep the curriculum current and relevant,” said Andrea Tapia, dean of the College of IST. “He is a dedicated educator and mentor who exudes warmth, kindness and heart.”
The recipient of the 2022-23 George J. McMurtry Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award, Parquette has been commended for his hands-on approach to teaching — including mock interviews and career coaching — ensuring students are prepared for success in the business and intelligence communities. He has mentored multiple interns and thesis students and served as adviser to the college’s Red Cell Analytics Lab and the National Security Club at University Park.
“I love to teach and enjoy the interaction with the students,” Parquette said. “As a hiring manager for the government and with private industry, the interviews I have done with students has been rewarding.”
Parquette has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University and is a is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a master’s degree in business management from Webster University and a master of education degree from Loyola University. He earned a certificate in leadership decision making from Harvard Business School and a certificate in national and international security from Harvard Kennedy School. He has served as an adjunct professor at National Intelligence University since 2008.
Parquette is affiliated with the National Intelligence University Foundation, the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs, the American Society of Training Development, the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals, the Field Artillery Association and the 82nd Airborne Division Association.
In retirement, Parquette said he plans to write and hopes to guest lecture while also enjoying leisure activities such as riding horses, golfing, walking and reading. He and Ann, his wife of 45 years, have three sons and two granddaughters. The couple plans to travel to Europe and throughout the United States.
“My journey through my many careers would not have been possible without my wife and family by my side,” he said.