Dr. Perry began his tenure at Rockford University in 2008 upon completing his Ph.D. at Arizona State University. He served as an Associate Professor of English; Chair of the English Department; Dean, College of Arts & Humanities; and as the NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative before beginning his appointment as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in the fall of 2018. He was appointed by President Eric Fulcomer as permanent Provost and Vice President in September of 2019.

His interests in teaching and research include African American literature, popular culture, and creative writing. He spearheaded an annual "Read Aloud of Black American Voices" in honor of Black History Month. Dr. Perry regularly presents at the Popular Culture and American Culture Association National Conference. In addition to presenting in areas as wide-ranging as black culture, horror, and rhetoric, he also chaired a panel of three Rockford University undergraduate students who presented work that stemmed from his class in graphic novels and the literary tradition.

Before obtaining his doctorate of philosophy in English from Arizona State, where he also taught as a teaching associate for five years, Michael taught for two years in the Minnesota community college system in a variety of settings, including the prison system. Michael obtained his master of arts in English from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and his bachelor of arts in English with minors in math and classics from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. He lives in Loves Park with his wife, Karen, who is a registered nurse, and three children: Caleb, Julian, and Zoey.