Patricia S. Poulter, Ed.D. is the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and a Professor of Music at Eastern Illinois University. She is active as a curriculum consultant, clinician, guest conductor, adjudicator, and performer. Dr. Poulter was the Coordinator of Music Education, conducted the select EIU Women's Ensemble, advised the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (MENC) chapter, and taught several classes for the Department.  She served the Illinois Music Educators Association as the New Music Mentor Coordinator. Her performances with the internationally recognized ‘Ensemble Choragos’ include those at the Institut fur Musikwissenschaft Medieval and Renaissance Music Conference (Weimar-Jena), Saint Benoit du Sault monastery, Musikinstrumenten-Museum in Berlin, International Musicological Conference in Toronto, WILL Second Sunday live radio broadcasts, and the American Choral Directors Association conference in San Antonio.

In addition, Dr. Poulter served EIU as the Chair of the Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences for five years. She was awarded the Provost’s “Department Chair Leadership Award” in 2008.  Dr. Poulter directed the Consortium for Overseas Student Teacher (COST) program, and served on the International Executive Board. She was the implementation coordinator for the University’s electronic portfolio system for teacher education majors, and was instrumental in developing the teacher candidate dispositions program. Dr. Poulter holds a Doctorate of Education in Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Arts in Choral Conducting, and a Bachelor of Music with Teacher Certification, both from Eastern Illinois University.

Dr. Poulter is also a member of the Graduate Faculty. Her research interests include creative processes, arts advocacy, and higher education faculty development. Responsibilities for the College of Arts and Humanities include Curriculum, Facilities, Assessment, Student Concerns, Retention, Teacher Education, and Summer School. In addition, Dr. Poulter has been integral in several successful development campaigns, focusing on targeted giving and special projects.

As an active member of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD), Dr. Poulter has presented at the National Conference on several occasions. She is a member of the Advocacy Task Force. In addition, Dr. Poulter has presented at national AACU, ACAD/PBK conferences. She is a graduate of the HERS Institute (Bryn Mawr).