Why I Chose EMU

Kerry Ryan: ‘I found my groove and blossomed.’

“Eastern was one of the few colleges that offered the major I wanted,” says Kerry Ryan, a native of Princeton, Illinois who graduated in 2019 with a degree in Arts and Entertainment Management. “Although I’d always loved the world of performing arts, I knew my strengths weren’t as a performer. I became business-minded and chose my major so I could stay within the arts.”

Kerry is currently the marketing and communications coordinator for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 

While an undergraduate, Eastern faculty continually inspired Kerry to reach for greater heights.

“Since my program was small, we really had a chance to bond with our professors,” she says. “I also minored in Business. Those professors are very passionate and took note of my growth as a student. That showed how much attention they pay to us. I wasn’t just another student in the class held on Tuesdays.”

Unique opportunities

Kerry had the chance to travel to Washington D.C. on Advocacy Day with her Contemporary Issues in Arts Management class. She and her fellow students met with representatives on Capitol Hill.

“We advocated for arts funding and learned about policies behind funding for arts and nonprofit organizations,” she says. “It was a fascinating experience. I had the chance to give a voice to something I love and met incredible people from all over the country who are just as passionate about the arts.”

Kerry discovered Eastern has a student organization for everyone. She became co-president of Amplifying the Arts, which hosts events that allow student artists to exhibit and sell their work.

“My work with that organization also gave me some management and public relations experience,” she says. “Eastern has so much to offer and so much diversity. I found my groove and blossomed. New students will no doubt find an area where they can grow their individual passions.”