Michael Parks is a highly respected professor at the University of Southern California. Born in 1940 in Corona, California, Parks received his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He then earned his master's degree in journalism from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Over the course of his career, Prof. Parks held various roles such as the press secretary to a U.S. senator and the director of investigative reporting for ABC News. He was also a correspondent for The Los Angeles Times, contributing to international coverage in Latin America, Europe, and Africa.

At USC, Parks taught courses in journalism and helped to establish the school's Center for International Journalism. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Parks has received numerous awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award and the USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Outside of teaching, Parks has also written several books, including "Fractured Emerald: Ireland," and "The People's Republic", which offer insightful views on international affairs.