EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University alum, Victoria Fields, has received the 2025 K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award. The award recognizes graduate students who show promise as future leaders in higher education, with a focus on equity, community engagement, and academic innovation.

Fields earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and sport management from EMU, graduating summa cum laude. She said her experiences at the university shaped her academic and professional journey.

“EMU means so much to me. It truly laid the foundation for my leadership, academic engagement, and passion for undergraduate teaching,” Fields said.

After completing her undergraduate degree at EMU, Fields earned a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received a master’s degree in communication in 2021. She is now a doctoral candidate and Instructor of Record in the university’s Department of Communication. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in social movements, society, and sports, often connecting historical insights to contemporary issues.

While at EMU, Fields was a McNair Scholar, a member of the Honors College, and vice president of the Sport Management Club. She worked as a student manager for the EMU Women’s Basketball Team and as an Athletic Marketing Intern, roles that helped her develop leadership skills and foster community connections.

Her dedication to academic excellence earned her the Outstanding Student in Sport Management Program Award and the McNair Scholars Program “Scholar of the Year” Award in 2019.

At the University of Illinois, Fields has continued her leadership work. She co-founded an annual symposium for women of color at the National Communication Association and works with the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education, where she develops equity-focused programs for faculty and staff.

Fields credits much of her success to the mentorship she received at EMU, specifically from faculty members including Dennis O’Grady, Kathleen Stacey, Heather Neff, Ray Quiel, and many others.

“Each of them poured into me with their feedback, kindness, and expertise,” Fields said. “I am truly grateful for their support and guidance over the years.”

Fields received the Ebony Excellence Award for Instructor of the Year from the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center in 2023 and was selected as a 2024 fellow for the National Women’s Studies Association’s Women of Color Leadership Project.

Reflecting on her latest recognition, Fields described the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award as a significant honor.

“It inspires me to continue the work of equity inside and outside the classroom,” she said. “I strive to help build the confidence of my students and encourage them to use their voices to enact lasting change in society.”

Fields encourages current EMU students to embrace leadership opportunities.

“My advice is to never stop learning, get involved, be a good collaborator, and lift as you climb,” she said.

Fields’ recognition as a 2025 K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award recipient highlights her dedication to advancing equity and fostering innovation in education. As she continues her journey, her contributions serve as a testament to the power of leadership and the transformative impact of an EMU education. To explore more inspiring alumni stories, visit our EMU Alumni Profiles.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.