School of Education and Movement Studies

Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor
Department of Instructional Development & Leadership

After receiving an undergraduate degree in speech, theatre, and English education, Mike worked for two years in the public schools, primarily in alternative school settings. He then obtained a masters degree in school counseling before entering the doctoral program at the University of Washington, specializing in multicultural education and educational psychology. After graduating from the UW, Dr. Hillis taught in Tennessee for three years and arrived at PLU in 1997. In the 2000-2001 academic year, he was a Fulbright Roving Scholar of American Studies in Norway, working with teachers and students in public schools across the country. Dr. Hillis’ recent writings include a entitled,
“Exploring Cultural Conflicts: Journeys Towards Peace” (co-authored with Dr. Ron Byrnes), articles in Social Studies and the Young Learner, The Rural Educator, and Språk og Språkundervisning, and book reviews in The Educational Forum and Multicultural Education. His research interests include the construction of race and ethnicity in the classroom, the moral assumptions of multicultural education, and the integration of literacy and social studies.