Erik Parks, 30, of Chicago, has been promoted to vice president of operations and finance at Harrington Institute.

Parks, who began his career at Harrington Institute in 2000 as controller, oversees the accounting, human resources, student accounts, bookstore, information technology, and facilities management departments. He is spearheading the effort of relocating the Harrington Institute to its new facility at 200 W. Madison Ave in September 2003. Parks holds a position on Harrington’s executive council and works closely with President Patrick Comstock on strategic planning for the school.

Prior to joining Harrington, he worked for NovaMed Eyecare as director of finance and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Indiana University.

The Harrington Institute of Interior Design is a four-year college that offers a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design, an associate of applied science degree and a diploma program with flexible scheduling.

Founded in Chicago in 1931, the Harrington Institute seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students' intellectual and artistic potentials. The majority of the faculty are practicing interior design, architecture and fine art professionals. Harrington is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the BFA program is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Designer Education Research. Harrington is also recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.