My Teaching
I am a passionate and highly motivated instructor and my student-focused pedagogy emphasizes a rigorous academic methodology initiated through fostering positive student relationships. In this way, I believe each student will be prepared for advanced coursework and ultimately, personal and professional success after graduation. Outside of the classroom, I serve as a resource to students as they begin their search for fulfilling careers. My teaching philosophy encompasses four interconnected elements:
Establish an enjoyable, yet intellectually demanding, learning environment. By creating a positive learning environment and classroom community, I am able to foster dialogue and group discussion to encourage critical analysis and the development of higher order thinking skills.
Emphasize the intersection of theory and practice. It is my job to breathe life into theory and connect it to each student's life through real-world application.
Increase student engagement by emphasizing a variety of learning styles. The worst learning environments are ones in which students are apathetic and disengaged. By taking a multifaceted approach to address learning styles, I foster increased student engagement for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
Promote student growth and development through personal attention both in and out of the classroom. While my short-term goal is to facilitate academic success for each student in my class, my long-term objective is to help each student achieve his or her personal and professional goals after graduation.
I have designed and delivered the following courses:
Undergraduate courses taught at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL:
Human Resource Management (MGMT 355)
Compensation and Benefits Administration (MGMT 436)
Managerial Negotiations (MGMT 457)
Undergraduate courses taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL:
Organizational Theory (MGMT 445)
Human Resource Management (MGMT 453)
Undergraduate courses taught at Bradley University, Peoria, IL:
Principles of Management (BMA 352)
Leadership and Organizational Behavior (BMA 357)
Ethics and Managerial Decision-Making (BMA 358)
Applied Leadership (BMA 499)
Strengths-Based Leadership (ELH 381)
Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations (ELH 382)
Career Planning Seminar for Business Students (AEP 100)
The University Experience (EHS 120)
Undergraduate courses taught at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA:
International Leadership (LDSP 330)
Leadership Theory and Research (LDSP 310)
Group Dynamics (LDSP 220)
Study in Self-Leadership (LDSP 210)
Student Testimonials:
“Professor Michel is hands down one of the best professors I have ever had. He goes the extra mile in helping his students and he truly became sort of like a mentor for me. He was always willing to help whether it was about the course or our career development and I was so grateful for this. When school became online, Professor Michel did office hours through Zoom which was awesome. I was still able to connect to him and stay in contact which I loved. He is a genuine and hard working professor/human being who truly wants the best for his students. When you hear stories about professors changing students lives and their perspective on things, I can whole heartedly say that Professor Michel did just that for me.”
“Mr. Michel has a clear idea what it’s like to be a college student and has created one of the most content rich courses I’ve ever taken while still tending to students’ needs and areas of concerns. Every student is truly capable of achieving an A in this course. He is an outstanding instructor. Kind, caring, compassionate, smart, helpful, insightful, inclusive, excellent energy, personable. I could go on and on. I can’t recommend his class enough.”
“Amazing teacher! His class is very interesting. He knows his material very well, and gives concrete examples in all the subjects he conveys (which makes the understanding much easier and greatly enriches the course content). Moreover, the teacher listens to all the students and is really willing to help us at any time. Not only is he a great help for everything that concerns the class content, but also for career matters, which are really appreciated. This is honestly one of the best teachers I’ve ever had in my undergraduate program.”
“Challenging tests and the case study were daunting at first, but the clarity of lessons, his friendly demeanor, his eagerness to help students, the variety of examples, and his well- paced lectures made this an interesting and enjoyable leadership class. Quite possibly the most interesting and effective leadership class that I have had to date.”
“The course was very beneficial in more ways than I thought it would. I believe this was mainly because of Professor Eric Michel’s ability to provide us with real world examples that compliment his lectures. Professor Michel has high energy and a complete knowledge of the subject he’s teaching. This was very beneficial to me also because he made it his duty to go above and beyond to provide the class with all the resources we need to pass the course.”
“Professor Michel used various methods and applications to relate the text to real world examples. He went above and beyond to keep students engaged. He always came to class with a bright and cheery attitude. He cared about the success of his students and asked us to gauge the class at midpoints in the semester and offer recommendations to him to improve the class. Professor Michel is an outstanding professor!”