Michelle Yadon

Instructor
Director of Drama Therapy

Office: 129 Nichols Hall

Michelle Yadon is a Registered Drama Therapist and Board Certified Trainer, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, and proud alumna of Kansas State University, where she earned her Master of Arts in Drama and Theatre with an emphasis in Drama Therapy. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University with a research focus on inclusion and diversity in theatre attendance.

Michelle brings over a decade of leadership experience across both clinical and community-based creative arts therapy programs. Most recently, she served as Director of Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Therapies at Andrus Children’s Center in New York, and previously led multiple award-winning initiatives as Program Director at Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation in Indiana.

Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the North American Drama Therapy Association’s Performance Award, the National Parks and Recreation Association's Excellence in Inclusion Award, and the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities' Excellence Award. She currently serves as the Secretary for the North American Drama Therapy Association, where she continues to advocate for access, creativity, and inclusion.

Michelle is deeply passionate about the intersection of drama therapy, disability rights, and community building. She is thrilled to return to Kansas State University in a leadership role, where she once served as the student director of both the KSU Playback Theatre Troupe and the Barrier-Free Theatre Program.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys attending live theatre, hiking in nature, and watching Survivor, where she draws inspiration from resilience, storytelling, and strategic collaboration.