Education Matters Southern Indiana Names Leader
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowEducation Matters Southern Indiana has announced its first executive director. Bridgett Strickler previously served as director of Greater Louisville Inc.’s Degrees at Work program. April 3, 2015
News Release
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Education Matters Southern Indiana has hired Bridgett Strickler as its first Executive Director.
The Education Matters Southern Indiana (“EMSI”) initiative was organized by the community foundations that serve Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties in Indiana to strengthen our workforce and improve the economic advantages of our region by increasing the educational attainment of those adults with some form of post-secondary education but no degree or certification.
“I'm very excited to jump in and get to work. Research shows that in this five county region, over 40,000 people have earned some college credits,” Strickler said. “If we can reach those people and help them develop a plan to earn a college degree or quality certification, we can increase their quality of life while enhancing the economic development opportunities in our communities.”
Strickler earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations from Bucknell University in 1988 where she was also a Division I student athlete. In 1993 she earned a Master’s degree from University of Louisville and began her teaching and coaching careers.
She rose within Kentucky’s education system to Research Director for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars and also served as professional development leader and consultant for multiple initiatives related to high school drop out prevention. Later, she discovered a passion for Adult Learners while teaching GED. She is now pursuing her MBA as part of the University of Kentucky & University of Louisville joint Executive MBA program.
Strickler comes to EMSI from her role as Director for Greater Louisville, Inc’s Degrees at Work which is part of the Louisville metropolitan area’s 55,000 Degrees education attainment initiative.
Linda Speed, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, said “We are very excited to have Bridgett on board and leading this important initiative. The four community foundations that began this initiative realized that we’ve reached a point where we need someone with her experience guiding our mission and working with people in Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties to achieve their goals.”
For more information about the Education Matters Southern Indiana program, contact 502-645-2326.
Source: The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana