Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Autauga County’s own, Dr. Tracye Strichik, was named the 2024 recipient for the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Education at Auburn University last Thursday evening.
This award is presented every year to alumni that embody professional and distinguished service to others and one who makes an outstanding contribution to their profession and of their college.
Auburn University College of Education gathered nominations from alumni, friends, faculty and staff in regard to this award. Nominations were reviewed and voted on by members of the National Alumni Council’s External Relations Committee.
“Receiving the Auburn Alumni award is more than just recognition; it symbolizes the culmination of dedication, perseverance, and a deep-rooted commitment to serving children and families in Alabama. It’s an honor and a reminder of the responsibility to pay forward the opportunities afforded to me by this institution and to continue embodying the spirit of Auburn in everything I do,” Strichik said.
Strichik received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching from Auburn University. She received her education specialist or EdS degree, a postgraduate professional degree designed for educators, and her master’s degree in early childhood education and teaching from Auburn University at Montgomery. Strichik then went on to receive two doctorates in education and philosophy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Strichik is currently the district 1 representative on the Autauga County Board of Education. She is the current director of the Alabama Extended Learning Alliance, where their goal is to ensure Alabama youth, families, and communities have access to high quality programming during out-of-school time that promotes positive development and life-long learning, according to their website.
“It means a lot to me and our children. She deserves every accolade she’s received. Her dedication and God given gifts to better education for children is remarkable. She has worked so hard to make sure that her peers in her field have been a part of her success as well. She’s a superstar in education and our state is fortunate to have access to her talents,” Stichik’s husband and Prattville City Council Member Robert Strichik said.
While Strichik has a vast set of skills from community outreach, data analysis to being a former professor at Faulkner University, her impressive repertoire and heart lies with helping children learn and excel in and out of the classroom.
