Cheryl Alters Jamison MA ’77 PAA
Author, teacher and entrepreneur

Cheryl Alters Jamison is an award-winning food and travel author, teacher and entrepreneur. She and her husband, Bill, specialize in Southwestern-style cooking, outdoor barbeque and entertaining, and world travel. She’s authored over a dozen books on cooking, and has achieved international distinction within her profession.

A native of Galesburg, Ill, Cheryl studied art at Illinois State University, and in 1977, received her master's degree from UIS in community arts management. Cheryl worked with art groups in Oklahoma and Texas before settling in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her interest in that region's culture and cuisine led her and Bill to switch careers to cooking and travel writing.

Cheryl frequently teaches at some of the world’s most respected schools of cooking, hosts tours to destinations throughout the world and has written travel guides for Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean for the Houghton Mifflin series "Best Places to Stay.” Cheryl’s books have sold nearly one million copies.
In addition to her professional achievements and awards, Cheryl is a past president of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Santa Fe, and the Friends of the Santa Fe Market. She is also involved with several other nonprofit organizations.