Ann Arbor Times

YPSILANTI — The Michigan Dance Council has awarded Eastern Michigan University professor Sherry Wilkinson the Dance Educator of the Year in Higher Education award. The Council’s board voted unanimously to honor Wilkinson with this recognition.

Wilkinson expressed her gratitude for the award, stating, “It is a privilege to receive this award. Each day, I get to share my passion and knowledge with our amazing EMU students, and I love each and every day I am on campus.”

Wilkinson attributes her success to her efforts in modernizing the EMU dance program with support from her colleagues and administration. Christopher Barrick, director and professor of the School of Music and Dance at Eastern, highlighted Wilkinson's contributions: “Professor Sherry Wilkinson just celebrated her 25th year on the faculty of EMU. During her time at Eastern, she has contributed to the EMU Dance Program in numerous ways through her teaching, creative activities, service, and leadership. Her list of accomplishments is lengthy and I’m so glad she is getting the recognition she deserves.”

Under Wilkinson’s leadership, the dance program’s curriculum now exceeds all national standards in dance education and is customizable so students can meet their educational goals. “Our EMU dance graduates are highly successful, all working in some capacity in the profession,” said Wilkinson. “We also boast a 100% acceptance rate into graduate schools.”

Some of Wilkinson’s accomplishments during the 2023-24 academic year include:

- Assisted with hiring three part-time lecturers for the dance program

- Choreographed and led an annual ballet performance collaboration featuring scenes from “Sleeping Beauty” with the EMU Symphony Orchestra

- Led annual faculty and guest artist concerts in January 2024

- Showcased EMU dance students at the regional American College Dance Association conference, where they received high praise

- Presented at the regional ACDA conference

- Oversaw EMU Program Review for the dance program

The Michigan Dance Council is a State Affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization and a National Honor Society for Dance Arts sponsor. This program recognizes students for outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in dance across various settings including K-12 public and private schools, dance studios, cultural centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary institutions.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan's second oldest public university. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral degrees as well as certificates across various disciplines including arts, sciences, business, education engineering technology health human services its graduate school national publications regularly recognize EMU excellence diversity commitment applied education visit university rankings points pride websites learn more information about Eastern Michigan University visit University's website stay up date news activities announcements visit EMU Today.