Dr. Christopher Michaels is dedicated to higher education. He earned his bachelor's and doctorate degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Master’s Degree at Sierra Nevada College. Now, as the newly appointed Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at Western Nevada College (WNC), he's excited to support others in achieving their educational and career goals.

Before taking on his new position at WNC, Dr. Michaels was a professor of teacher education, earth, atmospheric, and environmental sciences at UNR. He also taught secondary General Chemistry, Chemistry Honors and Astronomy. His published research focuses on tracking the student achievement and career objectives of Career and Technical Education students. Specifically, he is interested in exploring statistical group comparisons and regression analysis. Dr. Michaels has published in national journals including: Career and Technical Education Research, International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, and The CTE Journal.

Dr. Michaels' interest in community engagement and workforce development finds a perfect match in WNC's mission. He views WNC as the perfect place for individuals to explore and pursue their career ambitions, whether they're fresh graduates or career changers. With a strong background in teaching and student achievement, Dr. Michaels is driven by the desire to help students succeed here and beyond.

“I've long been interested in working at an institution which is tied in closely to the community and local workforces,” he said. “WNC is the perfect vehicle for people to discover and pursue their career ambitions. Whether they’re a high school graduate embarking on life's journey or someone interested in pursuing a new career or interest, WNC is the place for them.”

In his role, Michaels plans to leverage data to provide valuable insights and contribute to informed data-based decision making. He aims to create a supportive presence on campus and become a familiar face. 

He replaces Cathy Fulkerson who retired in June following over 13 years of service to Western Nevada College.

Outside of work, Dr. Michaels enjoys time with his family, travel, skiing, and mountain biking. In conjunction with his appreciation for the outdoors and navigation, he was issued US Patent #10,976,169. It’s a Wireless Navigation Apparatus, Method and System developed for backcountry enthusiasts. It navigates users from coordinate to coordinate using their smartphones, even in dead zones utilizing GPS satellites.

“What makes this system also unique is that applications like Strava and All Trails rely on the public to create content and routes. So, the route you undertake isn't verified to be credible. I wanted to combine the reliability and expertise of the REI textbook with modern GPS found in the smartphone,” Michaels said.

Dr. Michaels can be reached at 775-445-4405 or via email at Christopher.michaels@wnc.edu. With his dedication to education and student success, Dr. Chris Michaels is set to make a positive impact at WNC.