Mike has been an educator in San Carlos since 2010, having worked at Gila Community College (Satellite Campus), SCAT Education Department, San Carlos Training Institute, and the University of Arizona San Carlos Tribal Extension (FRTEP) office. He is happy to now be at San Carlos Apache College where he teaches Communication Studies courses (Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and forthcoming Intercultural Communication) and Student Success Skills courses (College Success Skills, Career Exploration, and Becoming a Master Student). Mike also advises high school equivalence students who can now use college classes to obtain their equivalence. On top of teaching and advising, Mike also partners with local non-profits organizations and tribal programs to teach life skills, art, communication studies, and personal wellness at schools in every district of San Carlos. He enjoys sharing about Apache College and the WIOA work program in these spaces.
Mike was in school for all of the 90s and, hence, remembers no music or television from that era. Mike has a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Studies with a double major in Philosophy from Northwestern University. He went on to obtain two Master’s Degrees from Trinity International University where he studied Speech Communication and Theology. He had the privilege of being a Speech Communication Teaching Fellow at Trinity while finishing his second Master’s Degree there. He’s happy to be done with his studies and teaching instead.
Mike has been married for 30 years to his wife, Leslie, and together they are the proud parents of three children in college: Stewart, Bennett, and Emma. They went on from Globe High School to study Popular Music Guitar Performance at University of Southern California, Film Production (Directing) at Chapman University, and Screenwriting at Chapman University. Much of the content Mike teaches in his classes has been beta-tested on his very own children. He is grateful for their help and even more grateful for the amazing people they have become.
After 13 years of working in San Carlos, Mike has come to learn about and appreciate Apache culture all the more. He likes acorn dumplings, acorn stew, red chili and stuffed fry bread. And he was fascinated by the taste of Tulapai as it reminded him of fermented Korean rice wine, Makgeolli. Mike has also enjoyed taking Apache history class and tripping his way through Apache language class at the college. Below is his introduction in Apache.
Dagot’ee. Shii Mike Kim gonséé. Shimaa Park Soo Mee gołzéé aina’ shitaa Kim Yong Il gołzéé. Milyang Park nshlįį aina’ Haejú Kim baninshtįį. Shisaani Leslie Kim gołzéé. Shigashé táági golįį. Shiyé naki golįį. Stewart Kim hik’eh Bennett Kim dagołzéé. Aina’ shitsi’ Emma Kim gołzéé. Shii Besh Bagową yú gonshlįį aina’ South Korea di nashaa. Shii Sengá Apache College yú na’ii’siid. Shii Northwestern University hik’eh Trinity International University ołtaad. Nnée Biyati’ shił nzhǫǫ. Áyąąhé-go bigonsįh ndi’nįį bigonshaa. Ahi’yi’e.
But please don’t ask Mike to say that from memory until he finishes Apache Language 102 class. Mike loves to run into former and current students around town, so please be sure to say hi wherever you may see him next! Inagodzi!