Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Adjunct Faculty, Stephen Michas, who was named Faculty of Distinction for March 2023!
Michas has been part of the CWI community for the last six and a half years where he has taught courses ranging from Biology to Anatomy and Physiology to Math. In addition to CWI, he has taught at Carrington College and Stevens-Henager College in Boise. He is currently also teaching Human Development and Psychology at an online nursing school, Nightingale College.
Michas teaches because he believes it is his personal calling in life and something he has dedicated his life to.
“When I teach, I touch the future by changing the lives of the students I am lucky enough to work with,” Michas said. “I have taught college in Ada County since 2008. Because of this, I frequently run into past students who always greet me with gratitude and positivity. This is an incredible honor for me.”
Many of Michas’ favorite moments at CWI have been his interactions with students, especially the ones where they share with him that what he does makes a difference in their lives and they are able to achieve more through his teachings and guidance.
“Dr. Michas has helped me find a passion for Biology,” said CWI student, Lauren Dean. “I have never enjoyed a class more. I was dreading taking another Biology class because I didn't have a good teacher for my high school biology class, but I would genuinely go to Dr. Michas’ classes just for fun if I could.”
Many of Michas’ students have also noted how he has gone above and beyond for them outside of the classroom. They believe he genuinely cares about his students and wants them to succeed.
“Professor Michas has used a lot of his free time helping me learn Anatomy and Physiology,” said CWI student, Ian Price. “Whenever I did not understand something in his class, he always provided me with constructive feedback about the material. He even found time to fill out a letter of recommendation for the Nursing Program here at CWI when I was not his student — it really shows his dedication to student success!”
“This instructor is open to helping his students at any point and makes sure that they know he is there if they need any help,” said CWI student, Hannah Deuel. “He is by far the best instructor I have ever had whether in grade school or college — I am confident all his other students would agree.”
One of Michas favorite memories at CWI is when KTVB visited one of his Anatomy and Physiology lectures in early 2020 to do a story about his viral act of kindness. A student of Michas’s had asked if she could bring her young son to class because she had no one to watch him. Michas not only said yes, but he brought the child crayons and made a coloring book full of biology content for him as he sat through the lecture.
The student later posted about the kind deed on Twitter. At the time, the post received more than 158,000 likes and was shared more than 27,000 times.
"To me, doing something nice for a kid is normal," Michas told KTVB in 2020.
Through CWI, Michas has had the honor of teaching and interacting with a bright and engaging set of students. He is grateful he gets to teach a wide diverse set of courses that has presented him the opportunity to share the many different facets of his knowledge and wisdom with those at CWI.
“CWI empowers students to get closer to the best versions of themselves, move closer to self-actualization, self-reliance, and authentic responsibility so they can pursue their dreams, and also enjoy life's greatest honor which is giving back,” Michas said.
Michas holds a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Studies, a Master of Science degree in General Psychology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Psychology.
Michas grew up in Oxfordshire, England, and moved to Boise when he was in junior high school with his parents and brothers and has lived in the Treasure Valley ever since. Michas also has an adopted son who has recently gotten engaged and is excited for him to start a family soon.
Outside of teaching, Michas is a concert pianist and has performed numerous solo recitals and ensemble performances around the community. He also uses his talents to perform at nursing and retirement homes, as well as the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Michas is also a tennis player, wine specialist, and mandala creation artist.
