Karen Hooge Michalka, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Sociology
- Director of Social Studies Education Program
About Me
I have a deep and longstanding curiosity about the interplay between our personal experiences and opportunities, and the broader societal contexts of our lives. This interest led me to the study of sociology, a social science that studies the interplay and interactions of people, culture, social structures, and social institutions. My research focuses on the spiritual, cultural, and political adjustments that occur in the lives of immigrants to the United States, and the receptivity of the host communities. My collaborators include Bismarck Global Neighbors, the Latino Protestant Congregations Study, and the Public Religion Research Institute.
Why I’m At MaryThe University of Mary gives me the opportunity to prepare students to engage with a diverse and changing world. I was drawn back to my home state of North Dakota to be able to work with dedicated scholar teachers, passionate students who are curious about the world, and colleagues who love life.
Expertise
My areas of study and teaching include the sociology of culture, family, religion, Latino and Latin American studies, immigration, conformity, and deviance.
Education
PhD: University of Notre Dame, 2017
BA: Wheaton College, 2008