Michelle Whisenhant

Title
Assistant Professor of the Practice, College of Aviation
Email
Department
Department of Undergraduate Studies
College
College of Aviation

Office Hours

Call or email to set up a time to meet in my EagleVision virtual office or Skype.

Areas of Expertise

Course Development, Faculty Mentoring
Michelle Whisenhant

I am a retired US Navy METOC (METeorology and OCeanography) Officer, where my job was to provide mission-specific weather and ocean forecasts for aviation, maritime, and special operations, which requires a detailed understanding of the air and ocean environment.  Much of my teaching experience was gained during my twenty years of service in the US Navy, teaching traditional physics and nuclear physics at the Naval Nuclear Power School, and math and meteorology courses at the US Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School.  I have also taught and developed undergraduate math and science courses online for other universities.  

Currently at ERAU's Worldwide University, I teach Advanced Meteorology, Astronomy, Atmospheric Conditions in Emergency Services, Aviation Weather, Meteorology 1, Thunderstorms, Explorations in Physics, and The Science of Flight.

Personal Mindset

I truly LOVE my job.  I consider myself a friendly, approachable, and fun individual.  As a teacher and student mentor, I am extremely committed to helping students achieve their academic goals.   

My basic life motto:  Make a positive difference in the world by being a good person, having mutual respect of others and the world we live in, setting the best example, and being the best I can be at the things I have skill in.

My general daily checklist for a happy and productive life: eat right, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, stay active and social, be productive and useful, and work hard at relationships with the important people in my life.

Main Personal Interests

I'm an avid cyclist (road and off-road) and triathlete, and a craft beer enthusiast.  I have found that these interests connect the physically active and social aspects of my life.   I am also a former collegiate cycling coach (US Navy Cycling Club) and currently enjoy mentoring and encouraging others in the pursuit of athletic endeavors.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School

PHYS 102 - Explorations in Physics

Math 111/112 - Mathematics for Aviation I and II

PHYS 123 - The Science of Flight

WEAX 201 - Meteorology I

ASCI 517 - Advanced Meteorology

WEAX 363 – Thunderstorms

WEAX 301 – Aviation Weather

PHYS 224 – Astronomy

MSES 550 – Atmospheric Conditions in Emergency Services

Teaching Experience: Much of my teaching experience was gained during my twenty years of service in the US Navy, teaching traditional physics and nuclear physics at the Naval Nuclear Power School, and math and meteorology courses at the US Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School.  I also taught basic meteorology and oceanography courses online for a college in Maryland for over seven years and currently also teach a course in general physical science for another online university. 

Related Experience: I am a retired US Navy METOC (METeorology and OCeanography) Officer - my job was to provide mission-specific weather and ocean forecasts for aviation, maritime, and special operations, which requires a detailed understanding of the air and ocean environment.

College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Merit Pay Award (2019) 

College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Merit Pay Award (2020) 

College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Achievement Award (AY 2019-2020) - for outstanding leadership, effort, and achievement in the areas of curriculum development and faculty collaboration and support