Dr. Sherri Niblett Johnson of Bridgeville passed away on March 1, 2025. Sherri was born on Jan. 2, 1970, to parents Roger and Shirley Niblett. Sherri was a graduate of Seaford High School where she was a proud cheerleader and was known for having some of the best parties. Sherri loved to travel in the early years of adulthood and experienced adventures that took her through Europe and beyond. She had a great taste in music and was down for any concert one could get a ticket for. A fan of colored pens and writing things in a bound notebook or planner, Sherri always took note of what was most important – building relationships with those around you and focusing on how she could personally help.
As an adult, Sherri dedicated her life to helping others and worked diligently to achieve the credentials and education that could benefit her community while helping others. In 2016, Sherri completed her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University with a research specialization in sexual assault awareness and prevention on college-campuses. She also achieved her Master of Science in community counseling (MSCC) and Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral science from Wilmington University, and associate of applied science degree in communications from Delaware Technical Community College. Sherri most recently served as the CARE assessment coordinator and academic counselor for Delaware Technical Community College, Georgetown campus. As a licensed mental health counselor, Sherri understood the need for a holistic approach to student success. She had an eclectic style that involved gratefulness, appreciation, and positivity and its ability to change and maintain a healthy approach to leadership that included reciprocity regardless of what position a professional holds. Dr. Johnson considered her two sons, niece and nephew her inspiration to help make a difference in the world.
During her tenure at Delaware Tech, Sherri helped develop and implement a sexual misconduct survey (2017) and utilized the results of this survey to inform programming and prevention and awareness campaigns that are still in use at Delaware Tech. As an alumna of Delaware Tech, Wilmington University and Delaware State University, Sherri utilized her connections to collaborate on statewide projects and initiatives regarding institutions of higher education. Dr. Johnson’s publications include Chapter 24 of the “Handbook of Research of Instructional Systems and Technology” entitled “Social Media and Technology May Change the Culture of Rape on College Campuses.”
Sherri served as the State of Delaware Liaison for NACADA, Global Community for Academic Advising, and as the NACADA Region 2 Conference Chair (2018). Dr. Johnson used this forum to showcase initiatives being implemented across higher education systems; her leadership in this arena brought many participants from surrounding states to the regional conference to learn about the work Sherri was helping to spearhead and bring critical issues and innovations to the spotlight.
Sherri also served on the SAVE/VAWA committee and was co-chair of the commencement committee for the duration of her time at Delaware Tech, creating spaces for students to be celebrated and have the support and resources they needed to achieve success.
In her daily work as an academic counselor, Sherri was a resource, mentor, champion, and sounding board for hundreds of students over the years. Her colleagues describe Sherri as a sweet, caring soul who always wanted the best for anyone she’d meet and would do her best to help make things happen to make that individual’s day better. Her compassion was felt in every action she’d take; with Sherri, you always felt important, even on the busiest of days or stressful moments in life. Her generosity extended into how she lived her life, giving her all with a soft smile and a gentle word of encouragement, or dry wit and humor to elicit a giggle or laugh when colleagues were stressed, or a moment was tense. She was frequently part of the office Powerball pool, and while never hitting it big, Sherri was always up for trying just one more time and helping her coworkers believe luck would be on their side.
Sherri’s professional network extended through her previous work experiences at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for the State of Delaware and Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. where she served as the Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Director, respectively. Lives throughout Delaware have been touched because of the selfless work Sherri did to create spaces where people felt included and safe. Her professional work focused on her interests of inclusion, social justice, and acceptance among populations, as well as the promotion of safe environments for all citizens seeking higher education.
Sherri had the biggest heart and always put others first above herself. Her kindness and dedication to making a difference touched many lives: family, students, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and more. A void will be felt with Sherri’s absence and it’s our job to make sure the example and legacy she set of choosing kindness to bridge gaps, compassion to help others, and caring enough to champion for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves, lives on in the hundreds of lives she’s touched through her work, her love, and her life.
Sherri is survived by her sons, Brodie and Logan Johnson (father of their children, Kris Johnson), her sister, Laura Niblett Bennett, her niece, Darian (fiancée Andrew Lefort), nephew, Rhett Phiefer, mother, Shirley, and father, Roger Niblett (wife Nancy Niblett and daughter Terrie Williams), as well as many cousins, friends, and colleagues. She preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Mildred Sharp, Horace and Virginia Niblett, and her best friend, Michelle Hudson, who taught her the meaning of loyalty and that life is too short to live for expectations of others. Sherri was truly a one-of-a-kind individual that we all feel blessed to have been able to know. She shared her life with us, her kindness, and her example that we can help make a difference in the world if only we try a little.
“In memory of Chet Baltz who set the precedent, at least in my life, that it only takes one educator… one person…to disagree with the majority…to let them know that the kid is not a loser… and understand the kid needs someone to believe in the possibilities…that one person can make the difference in the second chance, the path chosen, and the underlying reason…so that kid can do his/her best to do the same for others in the future.” ~Dr. Sherri Niblett Johnson
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to Delaware Technical Community College Alumni Scholarship Fund or in Sherri’s name.
Services were held on Monday, March 10 at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford.
To leave a condolence visit www.cranstonfuneralhome.com.