Nikki Perry

Nikki Perry serves as faculty initiatives manager at the Center for Teaching Excellence, where she supports faculty members in their growth as educators. She oversees several of CTE's signature events, including the Teaching Summit and the Celebration of Teaching, and manages faculty-facing programs such as the Course Design Institute.

Nikki works closely with faculty across disciplines to connect research on how students learn with everyday classroom practices. She helps instructors incorporate authentic research projects into their courses, foster class climates that support all learners, and think deeply about student learning in their courses. Her approach draws on years of experience translating educational research into practical strategies that faculty can actually use.

She has taught undergraduate courses at KU and Johnson County Community College and previously worked in K-12 education research and undergraduate research support at KU. She holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Kansas, with a focus on historical sociology, feminist research methods, and the intersections of gender, social class, and sexuality. Outside of work, Nikki enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family and pets.