Dr. Clinita Ford

Title: Professor, Emeritus Florida A&M University

Dr. Clinita Ford completed her bachelor’s degree in vocational home economics from Lincoln University at the age of 19. A year later, she received a master’s degree from Columbia University in food, nutrition/institution management. That same year (1949) she joined the faculty at Florida A&M College, later university, where she worked until her retirement and is presently professor emeritus. In 1959, she received a Ph.D. in nutrition and biochemistry from Kansas State University, where she was a general foods fellow and graduated with honors.

Ford’s professional and civic activities are recognized nationwide for her pioneer efforts. She was one of the three original authors, in 1964, of Upward Bound, a national program for support services to high risk students. She is the founder and director of the National Higher Education Conferences on Black Student Retention. She has the distinction of serving as the first African-American chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.

The daughter of educators, Ford holds many honors and awards, which include: One Hundred Outstanding People of the Century — Florida A&M University, One Hundred Outstanding Black Women Leaders — Black Issues In Higher Education, Distinguished Alumni Award — Kansas State University, Alumni Achievement Award, honorary doctorate and Hall of Fame — Lincoln University, Teacher of the Year — Florida A&M University, Outstanding Black College Alumni Award — National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education, 1890 Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award — USDA, inductee in the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, and Distinguished Service Award — American Home Economics Association.