Each Day is a Collaborative Experience: Associate Professor of Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies Michael McKisson

I work to make each day a collaborative session, allowing myself and students to share their own knowledge to increase all of our understanding. My professional practice definitely shapes my perspectives, lessons and advice, but so too does the experience the students bring to the class.

  
Associate Professor of Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies Michael MicKisson is an award-winning visual journalist and educator who joined the College of Information Science in 2023. He works with InfoSci students on uncrewed aerial vehicle data collection, visual storytelling, user-centered design, product development and entrepreneurship.

Learn about Professor McKisson and his passions for photography, collaboration in the classroom, cycling Tucson’s streets and more in this faculty profile:

What brought you to the College of Information Science? 

While I am fairly new to the College of Information Science, I have been at the University of Arizona for the last 15 years, all of which was in the School of Journalism, where I held positions as the director of undergraduate studies, associate director and interim director. In those roles, I had the opportunity to work with folks in what was then the School of Information (now College of Information Science) and was always impressed with their ability to be at the forefront of innovation and student-centered instruction. I knew I wanted to be a part of the programs that are at the intersection of people, technology and innovation and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to continue my career working with the awesome folks here!
 

Tell us about your research and areas of interest.

While I am not a research faculty member, my areas of interest include photojournalism, uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones), user-centered design, entrepreneurship and product development. 

I am currently working on a visual book project called Every Street Tucson in which I am riding my bicycle on all 3,000 unique miles of the City of Tucson while documenting the experience through aerial images from a drone. 

I am passionate about bringing real-world experience into (and outside of) the classroom, helping students prepare for the careers of the future. 

Tell us about your award-winning work as a photojournalist.

My background is as a digital journalist and I am currently a contributing photographer the nonprofit news website AZLuminaria.org as a photojournalist. What I love about being a photojournalist is all the interesting experiences you have and fascinating people you meet. For example, it could be photographing air ambulance medics in a helicopter or photographing a market owner to accompany a story about the influence of Asian markets in the Southwest. I also freelance for local and national news outlets including, PBS, Inside Climate News and Arizona Illustrated, where I have worked on stories that have won regional Emmy awards and a national Murrow award. 

Tell us about your community or other service work.

I am passionate about alternative transportation and environmental issues so I frequently donate my time or resources to events or organizations that relate to improving cycling and walking or tree planting and rainwater harvesting in the community.
 

What courses do you teach, and what do you most enjoy about teaching?

Since I began teaching 15 years ago, I knew I would be in a classroom for the rest of my career. I find working with students to be incredibly fulfilling and I take so much joy in seeing students go off into the world and become successful professionals, watching their successes years after they leave our program.

This year, I am teaching ISTA 498, which is the capstone course for many of our majors, and I am also teaching a new general education class: ESOC 200: Visual Content Creation for the Information Age. The capstone class is incredibly rewarding because I get to watch students put all of the skills and abilities they have learned throughout their college experience to the test by creating and then pitching their own projects. The new general education class leans heavily toward my passion of visual content creation, and students will get hands-on experience creating visuals from AI to VR and every visual medium in between. 

How do you bring your photojournalism and other professional practice into your teaching?

I believe that everyone, including students, brings unique skills, experiences and abilities to each class, so I work to make each day a collaborative session, allowing myself and students to share their own knowledge to increase all of our understanding. My professional practice definitely shapes my perspectives, lessons and advice, but so too does the experience the students bring to the class. 

How do you engage with students to foster their academic and professional growth not just inside but also outside the classroom?

I strive to be a resource and mentor for students from the time they step foot on campus until they no longer need my advice or guidance. Nothing makes me happier than when a student who graduated years ago reaches out to share a job update, ask for advice or just visit when they are back in Tucson. That mentorship can take many forms—from having a calendar link in my email signature so students can easily meet with me to supporting students who want to plan and host workshops to helping students makes connections with folks in the industry.
 

Beyond teaching, practice and community service, what are your passions?

I like to joke that I am a serial hobbyist, constantly getting very interested in a hobby, learning everything about it, buying all the equipment, getting good at it and then moving on to something new. Hobbies I’ve dropped include 3D printing, jewelry making, welding and more. However, the hobbies that I consistently remain passionate about are cycling, photography and travel—ideally combining all three at the same time. 

Are there any awards that you’re particularly proud of in your career?

I have won a couple of teaching awards over the years that I am very proud of. It is rewarding to know that you make a difference in the classroom. I am also proud of the small part my drone video footage has played in various award-winning news stories.

What advice do you have for prospective or current InfoSci students?

Take ownership of your education. Only you know what your ultimate goals are and what skills, classes and connections you need to realize your dream. Make your four years at the University of Arizona work for you. 

What does the “InfoSci experience” mean to you?

The College of Information Science experience means “exploration”. We have so many interesting classes, interdisciplinary faculty and campus partnerships that each student can really explore their interests and find their home in our college. 
 

Learn more about Michael McKisson on his faculty page, or explore ways you can support the dynamic, student-invested faculty of the College of Information Science.