North Carolina Justice Academy Director shares advice for success in MJA Program.

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1 Master of Justice Administration Engage. Enrich. Empower February 2016 North Carolina Justice Academy Director shares advice for success in MJA Program. By: Lisa Long North Carolina Justice Academy Director Mark Strickland is an MJA graduate. Strickland began his MJA journey in January When he began his graduate coursework, he was working as an instructor at the NCJA. This position with NCJA allowed Strickland to tap into his abilities to multi-task, as his duties were complex. As an instructor, I managed the revisions for the Detention Officer Certification Course and ran the program [for the NCJA]. I also taught the Detention FTO program and Court security program and co-coordinated the General Instructor Training Program, Strickland recalls. Strickland s plate was full when he began his graduate coursework. As he progressed through his schoolwork, and later finishing his Master s degree, his duties and responsibilities at the NCJA would continue to increase. Take one day at a time and never get behind on your work. In the beginning, it may seem to be a little overwhelming, but if you take it one day at a time, you will be fine. - Mark Strickland [Now], part of my duties is to ensure that the management of the training function meets that training needs of our customers. [We should be] utilizing accurate assessment tools, training designs and current methodologies for the delivery of our training. We must also ensure that mechanisms for continuous evaluation are employed Strickland states. In This Issue NCJA Director Speaks about MJA Program MU Activities February is Black History Month Strickland earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from North Carolina State University. (Continued on page 3). Mark Strickland, Director, North Carolina Justice Academy

2 Welcome New Students Please join us in welcoming our newest additions to the MJA Program. David Peterson-NC State Highway Patrol Stacey Thompson Burlington PD Kevin Wells Methodist University PD Ranessa Wallace-Fayetteville PD Cassandra Ferraro-Town of Carrboro PD Lacresa Morgan-NCDPS-Probation and Parole Norman Cherry NCDPS-Training and Standards Craig Harris NC State Highway Patrol Methodist University Activities February 1 Spring Convocation 2016 Spoken Truth/Spoken Word: Voices for Social Change February 2 Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band Concert February 5 Friends of Music Presents Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin February 12 Foreign Film Series presents Terraferma (Dry Land) March 3 Fayetteville Symphonic Band Concert David Kelly NC State University PD Marsha Williams-Mecklenburg Co Sheriff s Office Tim Wright Tryon PD Jose Alex Rodriguez-Sanford PD

3 Strickland, continued His educational experience from NC State, coupled with his graduate coursework at Methodist University has enabled him to be promoted three times while at the NCJA. When he began his MJA career he was promoted to the position of NCJA Instructional Support Services Manager. In this position, I supervised the NCJA print shop, video unit, graphics and design, registration system, online training, and library, Strickland recalls. In 2008, he was promoted to Training Manager. In this position, I supervised the development of the Basic Law Enforcement Training program, Detention Officer Certification Course, Tele communicator Certification Course, General Instructor Training, and Mandatory In-Service Training, said Strickland. In 2010, he was promoted to his current position as Director. Strickland s studies while in the MJA program certainly prepared him for the roles that he has held while being employed at the NCJA. His capstone project was on Employee Orientation Improvement Plan or Onboarding. He wanted his capstone project to be relevant and informational to his agency. While working on my capstone, I felt as though it was an arduous task at hand. However, through the guidance of my advisor, I was able to manage the workload and produce a meaningful document, Strickland stated. Strickland is not only an MJA graduate, he is also a very active member of the MJA Advisory Board. As a board member, he offers guidance and advice as to how the program can be most effective for criminal justice professionals of today. As a board member and graduate, Strickland is certainly anxious to offer current students and prospective students advice for success. Take one day at a time and never get behind on your work. In the beginning, it may seem to be a little overwhelming, but if you take it one day at a time, you will be fine, Strickland encouraged. Strickland has been married to his wife Sharon since His son is currently a sophomore at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. His daughter is a sophomore at Lakewood High School in Salemburg, NC. They have two dogs and two cats. Strickland said he LOVES visiting New York City. When asked to share his favorite memory of the MJA program, he remembered time with friends. My favorite memory from the MJA Program was the friendships that were created over the two years. While we may not stay in constant contact with each other, I have no doubt that if I needed one of them, they would be there for me, Strickland stated. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. Thomas Merton

4 Black History of the Carolinas February is Black History Month. We all know the names, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Frederick Douglas. But how about some other Black History stories from right here in the Carolinas? Did you know... Robert Smalls Smalls was born in Beaufort, SC in While being held captive as a slave, Smalls would steal a ship. After being assigned to steer the Planter, an armed Confederate steamship, in 1861, Smalls would soon muster up the courage to steal the ship. In 1862, Robert and a few other slaves working on the ship decided to steal the vessel. This wasn t just any ship. According to historical accounts, the ship was stocked with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, Howitzer guns and other weapons, as well as 17 Confederate slaves. Smalls also freed his wife and children. Later, as a free man, Smalls would be a part of the South Carolina State legislature and later a member of the US House of Representatives. As a politician, he also authored state legislation that gave South Carolina the first free and compulsory public school system in the United States. Source: Shaw University The first Historically Black College or University in the South, Shaw University is located in Raleigh, NC. Shaw was founded in 1865 by Dr. Henry Martin Tupper. The University was incorporated in The charter specifically stated that students were to be admitted without regard to race, creed or sex. Shaw is sometimes referred to as the Mother of North Carolina HBCUs. Shaw has produced graduates that have founded other HBCUs in the state. Source:

5 Black History of the Carolinas Hiram Rhodes Revels Hiram Rhodes Revels was born free in North Carolina in He was a Republican Politician, a college administrator and a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). Although Revels adult life was spent in other states, his roots can be traced back to Fayetteville, NC. Revels may be best known for becoming the first African-American United State Senator. However, as a Senator, he represented Mississippi, not North Carolina.. During his early years in North Carolina, Revels worked as barbershop apprentice for his brother, who owned the business. When his brother passed away, Revels owned the shop. Revels was very involved in the Civil War and Civil Rights movements. Source: North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company was founded in 1898 by John Merrick. The headquarters is in Durham, NC. NCM is one of the first black-owned insurance companies in America. In terms of total premium income, NCM is currently ranked among the top 500 life insurers in the nation. It is the largest black-managed insurance company in the United States. Source:

6 Methodist University Master of Justice Administration 5400 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC Program Director Dr. Darl H. Champion Phone: Program Coordinator Lisa G. Long, MJA Phone: