T.K. Martin Center psychologist at MSU honored statewide for work spanning three decades
Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Sheila Williamson, clinical psychologist for Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, is a statewide award winner for her work in championing opportunities and quality of life for those with behavioral and developmental challenges.
Williamson accepted the 2025 Torchbearer Award from the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities this past week during its annual Torchbearers Celebration.
Joining MSU’s T.K. Martin Center in 2021, Williamson provides comprehensive psychological assessments and therapeutic interventions for individuals of all ages with developmental and neurodevelopmental disabilities, many of whom present with co-occurring mental health diagnoses. A doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she is committed to education and mentorship along with her direct service work, offering MSU undergraduate and graduate students hands-on learning opportunities such as observation and applied clinical experience.
With a career spanning more than 35 years, Williamson has been dedicated to the development and expansion of services for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional and attention-related concerns, severe behavioral challenges and developmental disabilities. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and holds master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Mississippi.
“Dr. Williamson has spent her career advancing outcomes for persons with disabilities, while also supporting the family unit, training educators and mentoring students,” said Kasee Stratton-Gadke, T.K. Martin Center director and executive director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities. “This Torchbearer Award honors not only her achievements, but the countless lives she has empowered along the way. We couldn’t be more thankful for the torch she continues to carry each day with our clients at the T.K. Martin Center.”
Other Torchbearer awardees include Joy Hogge, executive director of Families as Allies; Desmeon Thomas, LIFE of Mississippi; the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science; Mississippi Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition; and The Lily Pad Café in Ridgeland.
MSCCD is a private not-for-profit, cross-disability organization formed in 1989. Its mission is to expand opportunities and enhance quality of life for children, adolescents and adults with disabilities and their families, and empower these individuals to reach their full potential.
More about MSU’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability can be found at www.tkmartin.msstate.edu/.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.