Michele Wilson not only developed the VOICES (Visioning Organizations: Inclusive Communities & Equitable Spaces) program, but she also teaches several modules: Overview of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, Equity Lens: Systematic Equity and Inclusion, Class: Socioeconomics, Religion and Spirituality, Age and Generational Status, Instituting Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Strategic Plans, Best Practices, and Assessment, and the Capstone.
Michele Wilson joined Portland Community College's Anthropology and Women's Studies departments in 2007. Prior to coming to Portland, she instructed anthropology, women’s studies, and ethnic studies courses at several other 2 and 4-year institutions. Her teaching strengths include developing curriculum that empowers students to develop their agency and that nurtures critical thinking, and creating opportunities for students to participate in applied projects. Her primary research interests are in the fields of cultural relativism, hegemony, xenophobia, and reflexive pedagogy and theory. Specifically, she is interested in student advocacy, pedagogies of critical race theory and social justice, and the intersections of culture and identity.
Michele developed the CLIMB Center’s VOICES Program that provides participants with intensive training to transform organizations into equitable and inclusive cultures. In 2016, she was appointed to the City of Portland’s Human Rights Commission where, with other Commissioners, she works to eliminate discrimination and bigotry, to strengthen inter-group relationships, and to foster greater understanding, inclusion and justice for those who live, work, study, worship, travel and play in the City of Portland. And, she was acknowledged for her work in cultural diversity and women's studies in 2011 when she received with The Declare Award for Outstanding Faculty Activism. Michele resides with her family in Portland, Oregon. In her free time, she makes up songs to sing to her dog, checks her privilege, and imagines an honest, just, and respectful world.
