PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 26, 2022) – Prairie View A&M University Assistant Professor of Sociology Dr. Michael D. Royster is no stranger to the classroom, as his educational teaching journey began nearly 28 years ago.
“My teaching career began in 1993 in the Texas Public School System, including Houston I.S.D., Royal I.S.D., and Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. for a total of 12 years,” he said. “I began teaching college-level in 2005 at North Harris Montgomery Community College District (now Lone Star College), Blinn College, Texas Department of Criminal Justice at Wallace Pack Unit and O.L. Luther Unit.”
He’s even taught some theology classes, although he says sociology has always had a special place in his teaching repertoire. Even before then, he can recall his first teacher, his mother, who was a teacher herself. “The idea of becoming a teacher was floating around since I was in elementary school,” Royster remembered.
He landed a faculty position at PVAMU in 2009. “Although I have taught almost every course in the catalog at one time or another over the years, my teaching interests include Collective Behavior and Social Change, Social Movements, and Sociology of Religion. Recently, I created a taught a graduate-level course entitled Black Sociology,” said Royster, who is serving his third term on the PVAMU Faculty Senate. Each time, his experiences in the classroom bring him back to his focus and purpose for service as a professor and teacher.
“I teach because lives are at stake,” Royster said. “I enjoy teaching. I wholeheartedly remember the sacrifices others have made for me. It’s because of that that I have a moral obligation to use whatever means and capital given to empower as many as possible. Ultimately, I’d like for my students to use their education to make a positive contribution to local communities and beyond.”
Royster was recently a recipient of the A. Wade Smith Award for Teaching, Mentoring and Service from the Association of Black Sociologists and the Charles Gomillion-Joseph and Sandy Himes Award from the Southern Sociological Society. He’s also had works published in journals and book chapters in several different sub-disciplines, including religion and society, social movements, peace, war and justice, and black theology. In addition, he has a couple of books currently under contract.
Even with these accomplishments, he points to his students’ achievements and progress as a catalyst in his educational journey for what keeps him going. It’s this future-forward focus that has given him purpose and passion as he guides and mentors students.
Almost every year since he has been on the faculty at PVAMU, he has had graduate or undergraduate students who have been published in books or journals or presented at academic or professional conferences.
“Teaching is especially rewarding when focusing on long-term results,” Royster said with a smile. “I did not invent anything new in the classroom. There is no one ‘right method’ (for teaching) per se, but, in general, the favorable results become more likely when teachers are mindful of the diversity of different learning styles and are able to meet students where they are in a holistic manner, with whatever tools are available. I think student productivity should be based on inspiration, education, equipment, and celebration.”
It’s the students and faculty – the people at the heart of the university – that serve as proof of the impact of the culture and influence PVAMU has in changing lives and communities and helping others reach their dreams and goals.
Dr. Royster is just one example of many of these.
“It is an honor and privilege to be part of the faculty at this great University,” he said. “Prairie View A&M University has a rich legacy and is currently looking to the future in terms of becoming a standard-bearer of excellence.”
By Meredith Mohr
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