Research interests
Michael Pavel's interests encompass issues relating to American Indian and Alaska Native postsecondary access and achievement, such as American Indian and Alaska Native K-12 characteristics, college access marketing, and persistence to graduation.
Teaching/professional interests
Pavel teaches History of American Higher Education, Administration in Higher Education, Community and Technical Colleges, Multicultural Issues in Higher Education, College Student Development, Traditional Salish Art Form and Style, Indigenous Plant Medicine, and Twana Song/Dance/Oral History. In the past, Pavel taught at the University of California-Los Angeles, as well as consulted with numerous tribes and indigenous organizations. He is a Traditional Bearer of Southern Puget Salish traditional culture, focused on learning the language, traditions, rituals, history, and ceremonial way of life among the Twana and other Pacific Northwest Salish peoples.
Recent accomplishments
- WSU College of Education Excellence in Teaching Award, 2009
- WSU College of Education Excellence in Diversity Award, 2008
- Washington State University Diversity Faculty Award, 2008
- Co-author of The American Indian and Alaska Native Student's Guide to College Success (Greenwood Press, 2007).
- Washington State Indian Educator of the Year for 2007.
- Finalist for the prestigious Buffett Award in 2007.
- Selected scholar to serve on the national Research Advisory Committee for the Pathways to College Network, an alliance of 38 national organizations and funders committed to advancing college access and success for underserved students.
Educational background
- Ph.D. Higher and Adult Education, Arizona State University, 1991.
- M.Ed. Higher and Adult Education, Arizona State University, 1986.
- B.A. Urban Affairs, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, 1981.
