Kyler Sherman-Wilkins Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins named SAG department head

April 21, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins as head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG).

Sherman-Wilkins has been serving as interim department head since July 2025. He joined Missouri State as an assistant professor in 2017.

RCASH Dean Shawn Wahl described Sherman-Wilkins as a valued member of the college.

“Kyler brings various forms of leadership experience that align with academic program advocacy,” he said. “I am grateful for his willingness to continue leading the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.”

Sherman-Wilkins said he felt “honored and humbled” to be appointed to the position.

He recalled his years as an undergraduate at Cornell University and a doctoral student at Penn State. “The thread running through that entire educational journey has been a deep passion for understanding the human condition and how we grow within broader social and structural contexts,” he said.

Becoming head of the sociology, anthropology and gerontology department is a “natural continuation of that journey,” he added. “I don’t take it lightly for a single moment.”

Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins elected to Midwest Sociological Society’s Board of Directors

January 15, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Associate Professor Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins was elected to the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) Board of Directors. He will represent the state of Missouri on the board and serve a three-year term ending in 2029.

“This honor truly means a great deal to me personally,” Sherman-Wilkins said. “It’s a recognition of the work I’ve been committed to in the field of sociology.”

“It was inspiring to know that my peers see value in my leadership and vision,” he added.

Sherman-Wilkins also serves as interim head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG).

Role emphasizes leadership and vision

As a board member, Sherman-Wilkins will provide leadership and strategic direction to MSS. His duties include attending meetings and conferences as well as committee service.

Balancing his duties on the MSS board with his responsibilities as department head and as a teacher poses a challenge, Sherman-Wilkins admitted. More importantly, he added, it presents an exciting opportunity “to grow professionally and to bring new perspectives back to my department and institution.”

Benefits to students and university

Sherman-Wilkins also believes his position on the MSS board will have a “positive ripple effect” at Missouri State. The university’s students and faculty frequently participate at MSS annual meetings, attending sessions and presenting their research.

“For the university, it enhances our visibility and reputation within the discipline, allowing us to contribute to the society’s initiatives and stay at the forefront of sociological research and practice,” he explained.

Sherman-Wilkins said he looks forward to working as an advocate and champion for the field of sociology.

“I see this as an opportunity to communicate the awesome utility and power of the field,” he said. “As the science dedicated to the understanding of society, I cannot think of a better time to study sociology.”

About MSS

As a professional organization, MSS includes research and applied sociologists as well as students studying sociology. Currently, MSS has approximately 1,300 members from nine states: Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota and North Dakota.

MSS states its mission is to build “community among sociologists and to advancing sociological knowledge, teaching, and practice for social scientific purposes and social betterment.”

Photo credit: Dr. Leonard Horton III.

Sociology students present research in Brazil over summer

November 5, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Two Missouri State University students presented their research at the 22nd Biennial Meeting for the Society of Brazilian Sociology at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in July 2025.

Bruno Miranda Guerra and Sophia Dela Coleta presented, “Cannabis in Context: Attitudes and Consumption Patterns Among College Students in Missouri” at the conference.

Miranda Guerra is a recent graduate of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG). He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Second Language Acquisition in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions. Dela Coleta is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Missouri State.

Sociology Associate Professors Dr. Herbert Rodrigues and Dr. Abby Templar Rodrigues accompanied Miranda Guerra and Dela Coleta to the conference and presented their own research.

HERC sociology students present research at regional conference

April 30, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Students representing Missouri State University’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG) recently presented their research at the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Gabriel Patino, Sophia Sampson, Anthony Lam, Jayden Echols, Sophia Dela Coleta and Bruno Guerra Miranda are members of the Health Equity Research Collective (HERC). HERC is directed by Associate Professor Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins.

Founded in 2021 by Sherman-Wilkins, HERC consists of undergraduate students who conduct research in the social, behavioral and health sciences. They specifically research health inequities, Sherman-Wilkins explained.

The goal of HERC is to provide talented undergraduate students with opportunities to sharpen their research skills. Through HERC, they also gain professional and academic experience, he added.

Regional conference ideal learning environment

Sherman-Wilkins described the MSS conference as an ideal place for undergraduate students to present their research.

“[The MSS conference] combines the rigor of a formal academic conference with a welcoming, encouraging and empowering environment for students,” he explained.

In particular, Sherman-Wilkins enjoys seeing his students interact with leading scholars and professionals.

“In a typical paper session, undergraduate students may be presenting their own work alongside prominent sociologists who have contributed much to the discipline,” he said.

HERC students continue to impress Sherman-Wilkins with their work ethic, critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity.

“What brings me the most joy as a professor is the ability to work with some of the brightest minds of the next generation,” he said. “This year, the students engaged in amazing projects, all aimed at examining the mechanisms underlying inequities in health.”

Alum Sarah Lynne Skrzypczak thrives in law school

April 14, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, Legal Writing and Analysis…these are just a few of the courses Missouri State University alumna Sarah Lynne Skrzypczak has taken during her first year of law school at the University of Wisconsin.

Skrzypczak graduated from Missouri State’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology in 2021 with a degree in sociology and a minor in law and society.

Now, as she wraps up her first year in law school, Skrzypczak reflects on her time at Missouri State and how she got to where she is today.

Taking things one step at a time

When Skrzypczak first enrolled at Missouri State, she was an undeclared major. She spent a year and a half taking different courses, learning as much as she could while waiting to see where her path would lead.

“I was in no way sure of who I truly was or what I really wanted to do moving forward with my life,” she said. “I just knew I liked to learn.”

By her sophomore year, however, Skrzypczak knew her future rested with sociology.

“Once I had gotten into the program, [there] was never a doubt that I was happy to be where I was in terms of academic progression and my own knowledge,” she explained. “Sociology for me was fun, complex and intriguing to learn about.”

“Learning of other cultures, studying the past, learning about people in general, I’ve always just been curious,” she said. “Sociology was a great way to get a better grasp on those things I found interesting. It was easy to learn about because I had always found it so fascinating in the first place.”

From sociology to law

Studying sociology led Skrzypczak to choose law as a career.

“Other studies such as criminology, pre-law and political science are all great to study before moving forward in law,” she said. But for her, sociology was the best choice because it included aspects of all those other disciplines.

“In a sense they all intertwine,” she said. “Sociology kind of seems like a bit of all of them plus more and just gives you a broader look on things.”

Still, Skrzypczak tailored her studies to include specific law-related courses with her minor in law and society. This gave her “a nice foundation of legal knowledge before moving into law school,” she said.