Professor Sherry Harper is an accomplished dance educator, scholar, and arts administrator with over a decade of experience in higher education, community engagement, and professional performance training. Currently serving as Assistant Professor of the Practice and Dance Director at Prairie View A&M University, Ms. Harper has demonstrated a sustained commitment to excellence in teaching, mentoring students, and supporting dance as both a field of study and an important part of culture.

Ms. Harper is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education at Prairie View A&M University, further strengthening a strong academic foundation that includes a Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Speech and Dance from Fisk University. Additionally, Sherry holds certifications in online instruction and quality course design, including credentials from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Introduction to Teaching Online (ITO), Quality Matters (GRQM) and is a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity.

In her current role, Ms. Harper teaches a wide range of undergraduate dance courses in the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Music, Theatre & Dance, including Ballet I & II, Jazz I & II, Tap, Modern Dance I & II, Folk and Ballroom, Choreography – Independent Study, Performance – Independent Study, Fundamentals of Dance (Dance History), and Body Mechanics & Rhythmic Activities, across both face-to-face and online modalities. Beyond instruction, she actively contributes to curriculum development, departmental committees, and university productions, while also directing the Classic Dance Ensemble, a collegiate dance company that provides students with pre-professional performance experience.

Professor Harper’s dedication to student success is reflected in extensive advising and mentorship efforts. As a Dance Minor Program Coordinator and advisor to multiple student organizations, including Chi Tau Epsilon National Dance Honor Society, The C.R.E.W. Hip-Hop Dance Organization, and the Classic Dance Ensemble, Ms. Harper fosters leadership, artistic growth, and academic achievement among students. Their outreach extends into surrounding school districts, where they lead performing arts programs that engage and inspire young dancers.

A committed leader in the field, Ms. Harper holds national service roles with the Black College Dance Exchange, Inc., currently serving as 1st Vice President on the National Board of Directors after previously serving as 2nd Vice President. Her service portfolio also includes participation in university committees, judging academic and artistic competitions, and contributing to major institutional events such as dance conferences and lecture series.

Her research interests center on the relevance, value, and sustainability of dance education within higher education, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She is passionate about examining how collegiate dance programs contribute to student development, artistic excellence, leadership, and career readiness while preserving the cultural traditions and historical significance of dance within the African American experience. Ultimately, her research is dedicated to advancing the visibility and importance of dance in higher education, advocating for equitable resources and opportunities for dance programs, and documenting the lasting impact that HBCU-trained dance professionals have on their communities and the broader global society.