Bio
Deedee’s love for the performing arts has brought great meaning to her role at SMTD where she has spent the last 20+ years working directly with students and faculty. She oversees advising, academic probation, curricular scheduling, graduation, and the creation of academic policy based on the evolving needs of students. She also works with departments on building and editing degree programs and minors, and holds an advisory role on the Council of Departmental Representatives whose job it is to initiate, legislate, monitor, and review all matters relating to undergraduate educational policy.
Deedee co-founded and Chaired the SMTD Staff Representatives committee which brought about collaborative and open conversations with faculty and deans, built community among staff departments, and implemented the first-ever monetary SMTD Staff Awards. She is also an active member of University committees relating to advising, student affairs, and conflict resolution. In 2018, Deedee was the recipient of the University of Michigan MLK Staff Spirit Award.
Deedee began dancing, writing, and playing violin at a very young age, and pursued all three passions through to adulthood. Prior to arriving at SMTD, she worked professionally as a dance instructor and choreographer teaching Tap, Jazz, and Ballet to students of all ages from beginner to advanced, in and around metro Detroit and in New Jersey. A specific focus throughout her teaching career was bringing high-level dance training and public performances to community-based programs in underserved areas.
A first-gen college student, Deedee holds a degree in Writing with an emphasis in Playwriting and Poetry from Western Michigan University, and a license in cosmetology from the Aveda Institute. She still loves to dance, actively writes, is learning piano, and has an ever-growing Lego collection.