Dr. Joslin Mar-Dai Pickens earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a ​concentration in Public Relations from Grambling State University, where she also earned her ​Master’s of Arts in Mass Communication.

She followed that up by making history by earning one of the first Doctor of Education in Higher ​Education Leadership Studies degrees at Louisiana State University–Shreveport.

Dr. Pickens currently serves as Chair of the Communication and General Studies Department ​and is a tenured Associate Professor of Communication and Mass Communication at Southern ​University at Shreveport.

She is the recipient of two national Excellence in Teaching Award for Colleges and Universities, ​and the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce, Young Professional Initiative of Northwest ​Louisiana 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2021 Minority Business Opportunity Award Business ​Owner of the Year honoree.

Dr. Pickens received the prestigious 2022 ATHENA International Leadership Award. Most ​recently, she was awarded the 2023 Excellence in Hospitality Outstanding Culinary Professional ​Chef Award from the Shreveport-Bossier Tourism Bureau and the Shreveport Bossier Sports ​Commission.

A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Pickens has served as the co-chair ​of professional development in the Young Professional Initiative Executive Committee, and ​currently serves on the 3L Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Pickens’ other partnerships include Project Celebration to bring domestic violence ​awareness and Dress for Success to bring “7 Keys to Success” for those with entrepreneurial ​dreams — one that’s she’s living herself with her Vegans on the Run food service business, a ​meal prep delivery service that also provides curbside pickup.