Arica L. Buchanan has been dedicated to the federal government for more than 24 years (13 years were served in the United States Air Force). She performed exceeding well in the Gulf War (1990-1991) and Operation Desert Fox (1998), where she received numerous individual and team medals.
She is currently a Management Analyst for the Chicago Social Security Administration (SSA) Regional Office, in Chicago, Illinois. In 2017, Arica was selected to serve on the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, Interagency Surge Capacity Force cadre, in response to the catastrophe resulting from Tropical Storm Maria.
Arica’s lifelong love and commitment to public service was seen in her being the recipient of the 2018 Acting Commissioner of Social Security Honor Award for Volunteer Service. She was also the finalist for the 2018 Federal Employee of the Year, Citizens Service Award. During her career with SSA, Arica has received a number of awards including Commissioner’s Citation, and Individual and Team Regional Commissioner Citations.
Arica is a dedicated community advocate and activist. She is the President of the Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Community Organization. She has volunteered with several community agencies/councils over the past 25+ years; some include the Twelve Oaks Treatment Center for various addictions and mental illnesses, Coalition for the Homeless, Workforce Development/JobsPlus and SSA Chicago Regional Black Affairs Advisory Council and Veterans and Military Affairs Advisory Council; Ambassador for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and LBGT Pride, Indianapolis to name a few. She was selected to be a Fellow, Fellow’s Manager and Fellow Coach/Leader (Indiana), for Organizing for Action.
She has earned two Guinness World Records (2017, 2018).
Originally, from Gary, Indiana, Arica holds a bachelor’s degree Counseling and Psychology with a minor in Military Science and a Master’s in Science, Counseling and Psychology. Both degrees were received from Troy University.
Arica currently resides in Merrillville, Indiana. She has twin, adult sons, Phillip and Arric.