Michel named April Student of the Month
CHADRON – Dean Michel of Rawlins, Wyoming, is the Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for April. Michel, a Chadron State College sophomore, is majoring in History and plans on adding a museum studies minor.
Michel said he knew about CSC through football but didn’t consider the school until three weeks before his high school graduation.
“I saw an ad in the newspaper and applied,” Michel said.
The small-town atmosphere and caring residence hall advisers are what Michel said he likes about CSC.
Having the opportunity to meet and befriend people with similar interests has been Michel’s favorite aspect of college. He said he enjoys being able to talk to other driven students about politics, history, philosophy and other understandings of the world.
Michel said he also enjoys the personal relationships he has with his professors.
“There are so many great professors here,” Michel said.
Michel said his favorite class has been History of the Pacific Rim (HIST 373) taught by Dr. Kurt Kinbacher.
Kinbacher, associate professor of communication and social sciences, said Michel is an adventurous researcher.
“He takes on a variety of different topics in the classes I have had him in,” Kinbacher said. “It seems he has broad intellectual interests.”
Michel discovered Project Strive/TRiO during his Personal Health and Wellness (HPER 233) class taught by Jennifer Schaer, director of Project Strive/TRiO. Michel said he appreciates the program’s counseling services and enjoys the common meeting place for friends who are also in the program.
“I enjoy being able to come to Project Strive and talk with the staff,” Michel said.
Sonja Dressel, Project Strive/TRiO’s licensed student counselor, said Michel brings much to the Project Strive/TRiO community.
“He’s an avid reader and amateur movie critic, so I am always happy to hear his thoughts on the books he is reading and movies he’s seen,” Dressel.
In addition to his studies, he is also involved in extracurricular activities. Michel is vice president of the Chess Club and will be a writing and history tutor in the Tutoring Center next year. He spends his free time reading, writing, playing video games and playing pool with fellow Work Hall residents.
Plans for Michel after graduation include getting a master’s degree in history and possibly a doctorate.
“I’ve really enjoyed CSC,” Michel said. “I’ve learned a lot about myself.”
Category: Campus News, Student Awards & Achievements