Cheryl Anne Anne Colton, CPRP, CPP

Cheryl Anne Colton holds an Arts Management MA Degree from Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, and a BA degree in Communications/Dramatic Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Kenosha, WI, and holds a Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification. With more than 40 years in the field, and 30 years with the City of Alexandria, she manages a variety of programs including the DASHing Words in Motion poetry contest, Poet Laureate and 4 grant programs, creating culturally diverse special events in the city along with conducting arts research. Previously she ran a community theater and dance company; worked with a State Arts Agency; worked at a local arts agency in the Midwest and has taught arts management. She successfully secured three National Endowment of the Arts grant awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She is a former Examiner for the U.S. Senate Productivity & Quality Award (SPQA) and serves as a Member on the CPRP Examination and Conference Program Committees for the National Recreation and Parks Association.