Team Fundraising Page of Nakia Strickland

Nakia Strickland is an accomplished higher education professional with more than a decade of experience advancing student success, alumni engagement, and inclusive excellence within higher education institutions. Her career reflects a strong commitment to building meaningful connections across campuses and communities while creating pathways that foster belonging, leadership development, and lifelong engagement. In her current role as Associate Director of Engagement at the University of Louisville, Nakia leads strategic initiatives designed to strengthen relationships with alumni populations and elevate their visibility and impact. She develops and implements innovative alumni programming, collaborates with campus and community partners, and serves as a key liaison connecting alumni with institutional initiatives. Her work is grounded in data informed decision making, volunteer leadership development, and building sustainable engagement models that enhance alumni participation and philanthropy. Throughout her higher education career, Nakia has held roles across alumni engagement, student affairs, and admissions, building a strong foundation in higher education leadership and relationship development. As Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, she led alumni councils, coordinated large-scale programming, and advanced volunteer and engagement initiatives. At the University of South Carolina, she supported student success and multicultural engagement through leadership development, advising, and campus-wide cultural programming. She began her career in admissions at the University of Louisville, expanding access through recruitment, advising, and diversity-focused outreach, experiences that shaped her strengths in program development, mentorship, collaboration, and inclusive engagement. Beyond her university roles, Nakia is deeply engaged in community and professional leadership. Nakia is a certified Working Genius assessment facilitator, using strengths-based frameworks to help individuals and teams improve collaboration, productivity, and organizational effectiveness. She also contributes to community impact as a board member and treasurer for Decode Project, a Louisville-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing educational equity by providing literacy support, mentorship, and advocacy resources for students and families. Additionally, Nakia serves as an advisor to the Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at the University of Louisville and as the organization’s Kentucky State Coordinator, providing strategic guidance, leadership development, and program support across the state. Across every role, Nakia is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic program development, and ability to cultivate authentic relationships that bridge students, alumni, and institutions. Her professional focus centers on creating inclusive engagement experiences, empowering emerging leaders, and strengthening institutional communities through intentional connection and service.