Joanna Strosnider Nesselroad

Nesselroad earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics from West Virginia University in 1946 and a Master of Science in 1955. She completed additional studies at the University of Tennessee, Penn State University, and New York University, as well as at the Britain Infant Schools and Paget Applied Research Institute in London. She earned her Ed.D. in education from WVU in 1978.

Nesselroad developed one of the nation's first Head Start programs in McDowell County in West Virginia. As director of the training program, she trained teachers and administrators in child development principles. In 1965, she was appointed to President Johnson's National Head Start Committee.

Her teaching career spanned multiple institutions, including West Virginia University, Fairmont State University, Murray State University, and Penn State University, as well as public schools in Monongalia and Hampshire Counties. At Fairmont State, where she retired as Professor Emerita in 1984, she created the school's associate and bachelor's degree programs in child care and development.

Nesselroad remained active as a consultant to preschool programs, the state's Visiting Homemakers Service, and West Virginia Home Economics Education Program. She contributed to the national award-winning WVU Extension Service video production "Let's Talk Sense About Sex" and engaged in research on textile recycling.

Her professional recognition included listings in the International Bibliography for contributions to Early Childhood Education in Appalachia, The World's Who's Who of Women, and the Who's Who Record of Child Development Professionals. She received the Distinguished Service Award for 10 years of service to Head Start and the WVU Alumni Outstanding Home Economist award. 

She passed away in 2020.