Tracy Michaels is a Visiting Instructor in the English Department at UMass Lowell.

Tracy Michaels, M.A.

Assistant Teaching Professor

Pronouns
she/her/hers
College
College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
English
Phone
978-934-4086
Office
O'Leary Library, Room 500C

Expertise

Composition and Literature

Research Interests

Rhetoric, research, and composition, especially the exploration of current approaches to the discipline of teaching writing to first-year students and English majors; First Generation Literature and studies; British Literature early nineteenth and twentieth century with an emphasis on cultural relevance to the twenty-first century; Central European Literature especially writers from behind the former iron curtain, and theatre arts.

Education

  • MA: Rhetoric and Composition, (1997), Purdue University, Calumet, IN
    Supporting Area: British Literature
  • BA: English and Secondary Education, (1992), Concordia University, Mequon, WI

Biosketch

As a first generation college student, my drive is to intentionally support the potential success of underrepresented student groups such as my fellow first-generation college students to provide a path for an opportunity for a "seat at the table."

I am a member of Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha Honor Society, whose goal is to recognize high achieving first-generation college students while cultivating a dynamic and diverse network for members to reach their goals and highest potential. Inductees in this society not only have encompassed the mission but have shown commitment to the core values of academic excellence, service, integrity, diversity & leadership.

Much of my service work is connected to the River Hawks Scholars Academy including teaching a section of College Writing reserved exclusively for students in the program, serving as a student mentor, and running the River Hawks Scholars Academy writing awards contests.

Selected Awards and Honors

Award for Teaching Excellence (2024), Teaching, English Department , University of Massachusetts Lowell
Open Educational Resource (OER) (2022), Award Recipient, MASSPIRG University of Massachusetts Lowell
Open Educational Resource (OER) (2021), Award Recipient, MASSPIRG University of Massachusetts Lowell
Award for Teaching Excellence (2018), Teaching - English Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell