TROY, NY, January 31, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cheryl Lirette Clark, PhD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Clark has dedicated over five decades to her profession, making significant contributions to the field of corrections and social services. She currently holds the title of transformational leadership council at Social Synergetics, where she is also a founding member. Dr. Clark's career began in social services during the mid-1960s, where she worked as a social worker in both Richmond, Virginia, and Schenectady, New York. As a result of her experiences in these roles, her passion for addressing systemic issues within the prison system was ignited and subsequently shaped her career.

In 1974, Dr. Clark transitioned to the field of corrections, taking on the role of director of training at the Commission of Corrections and later became the director of operations at the same commission. By 1985, she had advanced to the position of director of staff development at the New York State Division of Parole. Her most notable role came when she served as the director of Shock Incarceration and the Willard Drug Treatment Campus at the New York State Department of Correctional Services.

In that capacity, Dr. Clark developed the Shock Incarceration Program, which offered short-term, intensive substance abuse treatment for offenders. The program achieved remarkable success, with graduates attaining the highest passing rate for the General Equivalency Diploma in the country. Alongside her career experience, Dr. Clark's academic achievements have played a crucial role in her professional success.

Dr. Clark earned a Doctorate from Columbia Commonwealth University's School of Health and Human Services in 2001 and a master's degree in educational psychology from the College of St. Rose. Her dissertation, "12° of Freedom Synergetics and the 12 Steps to Recovery", delves into systemic issues within the prison system and has been influential in shaping her innovative approaches to corrections. Throughout her career, Dr. Clark has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Isaac T. Hopper Award from the Women's Prison Association in 2010 and the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Transformational Leadership Council in 2009.

Moreover, Dr. Clark has also authored several publications outside of her dissertation, such as "DOING LIFE! A Life Skills Program for Recovery from Addictions" and "SMART CHOICES: A Guide for Making Choices That Work". These works have further solidified her reputation as a thought leader in her field. Outside of her publications, Dr. Clark is actively involved with several industry-related organizations; she is a founding member of the Transformational Leadership Council and an active participant in the American Correctional Association. Moreover, Dr. Clark's work with Sandra Yancey and Bobby Porter on Quantum Learning has also been instrumental in her professional journey.

Overall, Dr. Clark's enduring commitment to improving correctional systems and her innovative approaches have left an indelible mark on her profession, and her dedication to fostering critical thinking skills among incarcerated individuals while providing effective substance abuse treatment programs has set a high standard for others in her field to follow. Now, at 80 years old, she continues to savor life to its fullest by indulging in her love for dancing, staying connected with others through Zoom and taking great pleasure in her beautifully restored Victorian mansion in Troy, New York, which has been featured in some opening scenes of the first season of "The Gilded Age". Looking forward, Dr. Clark plans to continue to enjoy these passions while contributing to her community and field.

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