She earned her BA in Sociology with a minor in Gerontology and MSW at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and her PhD in Social Work from Jackson State University in 2004. Her research, scholarship, teaching and related interests include gerontology, with particular emphasis on elderly African Americans, grandparents in kinship care, group treatment, diversity and oppression, and social welfare policy. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker who has worked in the field extensively. Dr. Wilkerson is affiliated with several professional organizations.