Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Faculty
Graduate courses in Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) as part of the Dual Degree program are taught by full-time faculty and adjunct faculty members who represent a wide-range of professional and academic backgrounds. This includes private and public school educators, educational policy makers, K-12 curriculum specialists and consultants, professionals from non-profit educational settings and current doctoral students. Many adjuncts are working professionals who bring their practical expertise and current policy knowledge to the courses they teach. Although they do not hold regular office hours on campus, they are part of the dedicated network of C&I faculty and are available for advising and support outside of the classroom.
Paul Michalec, program chair of Curriculum and Instruction and clinical associate professor, oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of all programs in C&I. He provides leadership for the faculty and curriculum, reviews program handbooks, evaluates student applications, helps distribute financial aid, meets with prospective students, plans faculty meetings, teaches, works on research and advises graduate students. He is also responsible for developing and implementing the curriculum, and networking across campus with other faculty members and advisors to ensure a seamless dual degree program. Dr. Michalec is also the principle faculty instructor and advisor for the program. He has a BS in Environmental Education from Cornell University, a MA in Experiential Education from Mankato State University, and a PhD in Multicultural/Social Foundations of Education from the University of Colorado. He taught elementary science and environmental education before starting his graduate career, and served as the director of student teaching at Skidmore College before coming to DU.