Many people might not find the hours of research and writing to be fun or insightful, but this is not so for Professor Michael Knievel.
After years of study in his field of English and Technical Writing, Knievel decided to share his interest in English with students. Hoping to share his enthusiasm and knowledge, he set out to join the staff at the UW 15 years ago.
Knievel was born and raised in Nebraska and starting at a young age he had a strong interest in English. Every week or so when he and his family would make the fifteen-minute trip to town, they would stop by the library and Knievel would always leave with an armful of books.
After driving back to their farm, he would devour the books contents and wait for the next trip to restock his supply. The professor also had a particular love of spelling, which he supplemented by joining spelling bee’s and studying words. These two interests also fed his love of writing, and feeling pretty confident in his skills, he even dabbled in journalism during his high school years.
After high school, Knievel went to college to start his higher education. He was the first person in his family to complete a degree, so it was all very new territory. He considered everything from Psychology to Law, even to what he considers his existential crisis, Optometry.
Looking at all his options, he realized that he wanted to find something that he really loved to do. Thus began his journey into English and beyond. His journey into becoming a professor started after he graduated with his Bachelors. What he calls a “happy accident” was how relatively smooth his journey was towards his PhD and how easy the decision to become a professor was.
Starting his career as a professor at UW was an easy decision for Knievel. The town, English department staff and a focus on teaching writing were all he needed to make the decision to work at UW.
His strong interest in research however and the emphasis on it in the department was a great plus for this English professor. When he first arrived, he was immediately involved in the Professional Writing Program.
The program focuses on the study of professional writing and how to grow as a professional in any program through communication. Knievel, now the coordinator of the program and the internship program, said he believes that no matter what degree program a student is in, studying professional writing helps students grow in their professional abilities and teaches how to be successful in the workplace.
“I believe it pairs nicely with most any major on campus, though as I say that, I realize that I sound like I am at a wine tasting,” Knievel said.
Teaching professional writing is not Knievel’s only interest however. He is also currently working on two research projects that he said he believes will help others.
His first project focuses on how rural communities come to embrace or resist wind farms and the siting of wind turbines on individual citizens’ private properties. He is most interested in how companies and governments engage with citizens and the way that those citizens receive the messages. His other project involves the rising use of citizen-recorded video and its use in policing methods.
Though busy with his schedule, Knievel still finds working with students to be his passion.
“I’d say that one of the biggest thrills of my job is seeing students do great things, not only in various course projects, but in life. I don’t keep up with so many students, but I admire the impact made by many,” Knievel said. “Seeing their achievements as professionals and as citizens is a bit amazing, and it’s fun to trace back in my mind to a time in class where that great potential was starting to make itself visible.”
Knievel said he hopes to continue teaching students for a long time at the UW.
