Master of Justice Administration
February 2016
Engage. Enrich. Empower
North Carolina Justice Academy
Director shares advice for success
in MJA Program.
By: Lisa Long
“Take one day at a time and
never get behind on your
work. In the beginning, it
North Carolina Justice Academy Director Mark Strickland is an MJA graduate. Strickland
began his MJA journey in January 2006. 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.
may seem to be a little overwhelming, but if you take it
one day at a time, you will be
fine.”
- Mark Strickland
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.
“[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.
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
In This Issue

NCJA Director Speaks
about MJA Program

MU Activities

February is Black History Month
Welcome New Students
Please join us in welcoming our
newest additions to the MJA Program.
Methodist University Activities

February 1
Spring
David Peterson-NC State Highway Patrol
“Spoken Truth/Spoken Word:
Voices for Social Change”

Stacey Thompson– Burlington PD
Cassandra Ferraro-Town of Carrboro
PD
Marine Aircraft
Wing Band Concert

Craig Harris– NC State Highway Patrol
David Kelly– NC State University PD
Marsha Williams-Mecklenburg Co
Sheriff’s Office
Tim Wright–Tryon PD
Jose “Alex” Rodriguez-Sanford PD
February 5
Friends of Music Presents
Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin


Lacresa Morgan-NCDPS-Probation
and Parole
Norman Cherry– NCDPS-Training and
Standards
February 2
Second
Kevin Wells– Methodist University PD
Ranessa Wallace-Fayetteville PD
Convocation 2016
February 12
Foreign Film Series presents
“Terraferma” (Dry Land)


March 3
Fayetteville Symphonic Band
Concert

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 1991. 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
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 1839. 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: http://www.robertsmalls.com/history.html
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 1875. 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: http://www.shawu.edu/150/History/
Black History of the Carolinas
Hiram Rhodes Revels
Hiram Rhodes Revels was born free in North Carolina in
1827. 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: http://www.biography.com/people/hiram-r-revels-9456129
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: http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/north-carolina-mutual-life-insurance-company-founded
Methodist University
Master of Justice Administration
5400 Ramsey St.
Fayetteville, NC 28311
http://www.methodist.edu/mja-admissions
https://www.facebook.com/methodistmja.coordinator
Program Director
Program Coordinator
Dr. Darl H. Champion
Lisa G. Long, MJA
Phone: 910-630-7050
Phone: 910-630-7268
Email: champion@methodist.edu
Email: llong@methodist.edu