Volunteer Spotlight: Leann Parrish

At Wabash College, a new chapter in civic and community engagement is being written — and at the heart of that story is Leann Parrish. 

As the Community Partnerships Coordinator, Leann is pioneering a brand-new role focused on strengthening the college’s connection to the broader community. When she joined Wabash in 2022, there was no formal service-learning or community engagement division. Her first year was spent building relationships on and off campus and evaluating where new efforts could take root. 

Wabash officially joined the Community-Engaged Alliance (CEA) network in early 2023, and under Leann’s leadership, the college has embraced this partnership with enthusiasm. From student-led exit polling projects to helping coordinate the Montgomery County Day of Service — which engaged more than 150 volunteers across 10 community projects — her work is already leaving a mark. 

CEA has also provided a vital support system as she grows a new initiative from the ground up. “As someone who’s in an office of one, being part of this network has been incredibly helpful,” Leann said. “Whether it’s through summits, conferences, or just grabbing a moment over lunch with someone who’s walked this road before, the connections have been invaluable.” 

In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Leann serves on CEA’s Advisory Committee, where she helps shape programming and share campus perspectives. She was part of the conversation that led to the creation of a speaker catalog for the “Spreading the Word” series — a resource that’s now helping campuses across the state bring engaging voices to their communities. 

As Wabash continues to build a stronger culture of community engagement, Leann is focused on making it part of the institution’s identity — not just a one-off initiative. With her leadership and the support of CEA, that vision is becoming a reality. 

At Community-Engaged Alliance, we know our work would not be possible without dedicated volunteers like Leann. Her leadership, insight, and willingness to serve are at the heart of our mission, and we are deeply grateful. Thank you, Leann, for being an essential part of the CEA community.