IPS Promotes Stricklen

Kristian Little Stricklen

Indianapolis Public Schools has promoted Kristian Little Stricklen to chief communications and engagement officer. She most recently served as interim public information officer and will continue to oversee all marketing and communications functions, including creative services, special events, publicity, media relations and corporate communications. Stricklen will also oversee the district’s new Family and Community Engagement department that will strategically ensure consistent district level and targeted school/community engagement on IPS priorities and initiatives. 

A key member of IPS’ executive leadership team, she joined the district in 2017 as public information director and promoted to interim public information officer in 2018. She has more than 20 years of experience providing communications counsel to organizations in a variety of industries.

In January 2019, the Board of School Commissioners unanimously voted to create the Family and Community Engagement department in an effort to cultivate and maintain healthy working relationships with parents, families, community members and stakeholders.

Stricklen is founder of Jacob’s Ladder, an autism initiative in honor of her son. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and is a member of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Class XLII.