Melinda is from Charleston, Tennessee. She has an associate's degree in education from Cleveland State Community College, a bachelor's degree in middle grades education from Berry College, a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of West Georgia, an education specialist's degree in leadership and administration from Jacksonville State University, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and administration from Nova Southeastern University. She is the president of the Georgia Association for Alternative Education.

Melinda is retired and works as an ambassador for Plexus. Previously, she worked as an administrator for Floyd County Schools. She wrote the book "More Than A Test Score: Strategies to Empower Youth At Risk."

Melinda Strickland is a member and the chair of the Floyd County Board of Education. She was elected in 2016 and is serving her second term.