Michele Moore

PROFILE: Michele Moore capped off her undergraduate career at Eastern Washington University with a degree in physics and a near-perfect GPA. Performing well in college was not a problem for Michele, now in her mid-40s. Getting to college was the problem. A non-traditional student, she spent the two decades following high school as a homemaker, raising a family and fighting through difficult financial times. Following her divorce in 2001, Michele enrolled at a local community college in Spokane and began to make up for lost time. Always proficient in math and the sciences, and a born problem-solver, she discovered her aptitude for physics. She also decided to share that knowledge by tutoring fellow students.   In her second year of college, she realized her future path: to be a university-level professor. 

INSPIRATION: Michele said a professor at Eastern Washington University, Theoretical Particle Physicist, Dr. Achin Sen, had a profound impact on her. Not only has he been supportive of her goal to teach physics, he encourages her to reach her highest academic potential Michele is also inspired by her son, a student at Western Washington University in Bellingham. After he left home for freshman year, the young man easily adapted to his new situation while many of his friends struggled from the start. When Michele asked him why the adjustment to college was stress-free, he responded: “I have been watching you do this college thing for years, mom. I have learned how to work hard from the best.”

ASPIRATION: To teach physics at the university level.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Michele said because physics is such a difficult subject, students of all ages tend to avoid it. She has created hands-on demonstrations designed to excite and inspire students to learn physics because if a student can see or touch the science, “they will be more inclined to study the science.” “In my final quarters at Eastern Washington,” Michele said. “I developed three traveling classrooms, visited local elementary schools, and shared my enthusiasm and passion about physics with children and teachers.”

 
ACCOLADES: Michele was inducted into the national honor societies at Eastern Washington (Phi Kappa Phi) and Spokane Falls Community College (Phi Theta Kappa). She was a Dean’s List student each quarter at both institutions. Additionally, Michele was chosen as a Frances B. Huston award winner, the highest honor given to a graduating senior at Eastern Washington University.

INTERESTING FACT: If you ever find yourself at Lake Chelan, WA-one of the world’s premier hang gliding locations, you might see Michele; she’s added hang gliding to her repertoire of outdoor activities.