Masters Mentor Dr Michael Kightley

Dr. Michael Kightley is an associate professor and co-director of graduate studies in English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Their research focuses on medieval English literature and medievalism, which is the study of modern re-imaginings of the medieval period. They have been selected by the Graduate School as a recipient of an Outstanding Master’s Mentor Award.

Kightley’s mentoring includes department-level work and service connected to graduate governance. They have served as the first co-chair of the Graduate Council’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion standing committee and have run workshops on inclusive graduate admissions practices with the Graduate School and the Office for Campus Diversity. They also redefined the department’s Placement Committee Chair role by improving training and mentoring for students transitioning into the job market through a year-long series of workshops.