Marla Strecker transferred to Henderson State as an undergraduate in 1997 after marrying her fiancé who chose Henderson for its aviation program.
After completing her B.A. in English, Strecker enrolled in Henderson’s Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) program and completed her thesis defense in 2001.
Strecker, a Batesville native, has taught and worked in higher education since earning her MLA.
“From teaching at a community college to directing graduate programs at a university, my MLA enabled me to work in higher education and also to pursue my terminal degree,” she said.
Strecker is currently the senior associate for Academic Affairs at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. She was recently named the new provost for University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College in Little Rock and will begin that role in September.
Strecker credits her MLA degree for her continued success in higher education.
“I would not have my career without my MLA nor the skills gleaned from an authentic liberal arts curriculum,” she said. “From developing my first lesson plan to drafting state academic policy, all facets of an education in liberal arts apply to the growth of my professional skills set, especially the ability to learn from my mistakes and move forward shaping spaces with positive change in a collaborative manner.
“Also, my value of shared-governance and the core functions of higher education are founded in that educational experience.” [Read more…] about Strecker credits MLA for her success