Jeanna is a Southern Illinois native, born in Carbondale, raised in Johnston City and started school in Sesser.  She did second grade through High School in Olney, the home of the white squirrels. She received her bachelor’s degree in Theater with a dance specialization from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. 

From there she moved to New York City to further her dance training.  She studied modern dance at the studios of Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, and Mary Anthony, ballet with Finus Jung, and jazz with Luigi, to name the more well known.  From New York she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she did payroll for Dollar Rent a Car, state wide.  When the former dance teacher retired after the spring semester of 1991 she applied for the vacant position and was hired here at Eastern. 

It was here at Eastern that she received her Masters in Physical Education.  The  main course she teaches is International Expression for Dance, PED 2900, but also teaches a section of Technique and Theory of Modern Dance, PED 2230, both Fall and Spring semesters, and Ballroom, PED 1920, during the Spring semester.  When she came to Eastern in the Fall of 1991 she joined the EIU Dancers as co-director.  Her co-director retired after the fall of 2005 so the 2008-2009 school year will make her fourth year as director..