Culbreath worked with Upward Bound students during her twenty-seven year career with alma mater, Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
In 2010 she was appointed by President Obama to serve on the No Child Left Behind Negotiated Rulemaking Committee and was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame the following year.
[2] After carefully planning out the finances and timing, Culbreath started at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she eventually earned three separate master's degrees in school counseling, administration, and general education.
While at SOSU, Culbreath taught in the business education department and was involved with a large amount of advisory counseling with students.
Culbreath is most known at SOSU for her work with Upward Bound students, a Federal TRIO program that provides support to participants in their preparation for college entrance.