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Dr. Dennis Perkey serves as the Program Director for the Master of Science in Athletic Training at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Responsibilities include oversight of the program, accreditation standards, program outcomes assessment, curriculum delivery, and partnerships with Nebraska Athletic Medicine. Dr. Perkey also travels with students to Greece as part of an interdisciplinary study abroad course that focuses on the Greek influence on nutrition and sports medicine. 

Prior to leading the MSAT program, Dr. Perkey served as Coordinator of Clinical Education at Nebraska from 2015 to 2021, guiding students through various, outcomes-driven clinical experiences with Husker Athletics and local community partners.

Before arriving in Lincoln, Dr. Perkey spent more than a decade at Arkansas State University. Roles included Coordinator of Clinical Education (2003–2009; 2010–2015) and Interim Program Director (2009–2010), with responsibility for curriculum delivery, preceptor training, and student competency evaluation. 

Earlier in Dr. Perkey’s career, professional appointments included Head Athletic Trainer at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Jonesboro/ Williams Baptist College (2001–2003), Assistant Athletic Trainer at Arkansas State (2000–2001), and Head Athletic Trainer with Mississippi Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center at Southwest Mississippi Community College (1999–2000). Dr. Perkey also completed NFL training camp internships with the Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998.

In addition to higher education leadership, Dr. Perkey has served as a Certified Doping Control Officer for the United States Anti-Doping Agency while serving as the Lead Doping Control officer for 147 Major even assignments that included the 2012 Summer Olympics, 2014 New York City Marathon, the 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024 Olympic Swimming Trials, 2021 Olympic Gymnastic Team Trials, and the 2022 World Athletics Championships. Dr. Perkey has also been a Professional Rescuer CPR Instructor (American Red Cross), a BOC Examination Examiner (2004–2007), and is a member of the Arkansas State University Letterman’s Club.

Dr. Perkey is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA), and the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NSATA).

Dr. Perkey earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University (2011) and the Specialist in Community College Teaching (SCCT) in Community College Administration from Arkansas State (2005). Dr. Perkey completed an M.S.Ed. in Social Psychology of Sport at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1998) and a B.S. in Athletic Training at Arkansas State University (1995).

He and his wife Tracy have two children, Aaron and Alexa.