Carolyn Perry

In many ways, maybe you do know me. I’ve been at Westminster for nearly 25 years — as a professor of English as well as a Dean -- and I love our little college. I very much enjoy my family, as well -- especially raising three strong young women. I love books and coffee and long walks. I’m always happy when spending time with young people, and I have a particular fondness for Westminster students and love how they have enriched the lives of my family. What you probably don’t know: to this day I am very shy and suffer from serious anxiety when I have to speak before others. I am most comfortable one-on-one or at home reading a book. Growing up in Rolla, Missouri, my closest friends were the children of international students at the University -- children from China, Mexico, and Eastern Europe who taught me to love learning and to appreciate diversity. So the richness of our international campus feels natural to me. Every job I have ever had has been on a college campus, and I am passionate about how education can transform lives. That passion gives me the strength to be the leader I never intended to be.