As a family and consumer sciences professional, Dr. Strickland has served as an educator, administrator, research scientist and community lay person for over 50 years throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the world. She has worked as an independent consultant/Research Scientist for the United States Department of Agriculture and Principal Investigator during her tenure at Alcorn State University. Her willingness to work with others has given her much noteworthy authorships with other scientists and academic leaders. Her dedication to the field has increased her involvement and contributions presentations at national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars.
Dr. Strickland has served in appointed positions under former Governors for the state of Mississippi William Winters and William (Bill) Allain and received special recognition from former Governor Ray Mabus for her work in the state of Mississippi. She has been recognized by former first lady Betty Ford at the White House for leadership in education community involvement.
She has partnered with public school administrators, and teachers in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana to improve the quality, well-being of students and teachers through healthy eating. Dr. Strickland has worked with the University of Zululand in South Africa as part of the Mississippi Consortium for International Development regarding curriculum and resource development. In higher education, at Mississippi Valley State University she was instrumental getting various degree programs approved through Institutions of Higher Learning and instrumental in leading the accreditation process.
At Alcorn State University, Dr. Strickland began as a weekend professor. Later as department chairperson, she guided the department into a new phase of learning: 1) changing the name to Family and Consumer Sciences 2) receiving accreditation for the Dietetics Internship program 3) writing the initial proposal for the Family Nutrition Program 4) receiving over 1 million dollars in facility funding and 5) incorporated the Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative. In addition, she has provided technical assistance to several Federal and state agencies as a grant reviewer, program monitor and resource person.
In addition, Dr. Strickland has a Lifetime Secondary Education Vocational Teaching Certificate from the State of Mississippi, is a certified housing counseling, video Spokesperson for AARP, Inc., and site visitor for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She has received numerous awards for her work in higher education and the community including Listed in Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Certificates of Appreciation from United Department of Agriculture and Alcorn State University, and Volunteer Service Award from the State of Mississippi Department of Aging and Adult Services
Dr. Strickland is actively involved in social, civic and nonprofit organizations including: appointed Library Trustee representing Hinds County District 1 with Jackson Hinds Library System; President, Improving Quality of Life, Inc.; Usher Ministry at New Hope M. B. Church; Madison County (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Alcorn State University Metro Jackson Alumni Chapter; and Past President of Mississippi Cultural Arts Commission.
Dr. Strickland currently resides in Jackson, MS