Michael J Mckisson
- Associate Professor of Practice, School of Information
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
Contact
- (520) 626-7609
- SCHOOL INFO RES
- TUCSON, AZ 85721
- mckisson@arizona.edu
Biography
I’m an associate professor of practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the UA College of Information Science. Before joining the college, I worked at the UA School of Journalism where I taught for 15 years and held roles of Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant Director and Interim Director. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, I worked as a digital content producer at the Arizona Daily Star and ran my own successful news startup covering bicycling in Tucson.
I completed my Masters of Business Administration from Eller in 2013. I teach courses in digital content creation and the undergraduate capstone courses in the College of Information Science.
I earned my Part 107 certification from the FAA to fly drones commercially in 2016 and teach a class helping others learn to become drone pilots.
I am currently working on a project called #EveryStreetTuccson in which I am riding my bike on every single miles of Tucson roads and documenting it through aerial images and street photography.
I am also a contributing photographer for the non-profit news startup AZ Luminaria.
Degrees
- M.B.A. Business
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- N/A
- B.A. Journalism
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Work Experience
- Arizona Luminaria (2022 - Ongoing)
- Bicycle Tucson (2010 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2008 - 2013)
- Arizona Daily Star (2005 - 2008)
Awards
- Best News Photo, third place, 2024 Better Newspapers Contest & Excellence in Advertising Winners
- Arizona Media Association, Fall 2024 (Award Finalist)
- SBS Undergraduate Lower-Division Teaching Award
- University of Arizona, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Spring 2021
- Murrow Award
- Radio Television Digital News Association, Fall 2019
- Rocky Mountain Emmy
- Rocky Mountain Division of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science, Fall 2019
- Tow-Knight Disruptive Educators Fellowship
- Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism, Fall 2017
- Best of the Web Award
- Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Spring 2017
- Hearst Award Finalist
- Hearst Journalism Awards, Spring 2017 (Award Finalist)
- Harrelson Teaching Award
- University of Arizona School of Journalism, Spring 2014
- Knight Digital Media Center Entrepreneurship Fellow
- Summer 2011
Licensure & Certification
- Remote Pilot, Federal Aviation Administration (2016)
Interests
Research
N/A
Teaching
Photo journalism, drone journalism, mobile applications, entrepreneurship in media, multimedia, social media, mobile reporting , AI, VR and AR
Courses
2025-26 Courses
-
Senior Capstone
ISTA 498 (Fall 2025) -
Visual Content Creation
ESOC 200 (Fall 2025)
2024-25 Courses
-
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Summer I 2025) -
Senior Capstone
ISTA 498 (Spring 2025) -
Visual Content Creation
ESOC 200 (Spring 2025) -
Honors Thesis
ISTA 498H (Fall 2024) -
Senior Capstone
ISTA 498 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Digital Storytelling & Culture
ESOC 300 (Summer I 2024) -
Social Media and Ourselves
ESOC 150B1 (Summer I 2024) -
Honors Thesis
JOUR 498H (Spring 2024) -
Master's Report
JOUR 909 (Spring 2024) -
Senior Capstone
ISTA 498 (Spring 2024) -
Honors Thesis
JOUR 498H (Fall 2023) -
Independent Study
JOUR 399 (Fall 2023) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Summer I 2023) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Summer I 2023) -
Innovating:Creating the Future
ENTR 485 (Spring 2023) -
News in Society
JOUR 150C1 (Spring 2023) -
Product Dev. in Journalism
JOUR 428 (Spring 2023) -
Product Dev. in Journalism
JOUR 528 (Spring 2023) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Winter 2022) -
Honors Thesis
JOUR 498H (Fall 2022) -
Media Apprenticeship
JOUR 405 (Fall 2022) -
Media Apprenticeship
JOUR 505 (Fall 2022) -
News in Society
JOUR 150C1 (Fall 2022) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Fall 2022) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Summer I 2022) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Summer I 2022) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Summer I 2022) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Spring 2022) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Winter 2021) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Winter 2021) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Summer I 2021) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Summer I 2021) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Summer I 2021) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Spring 2021) -
Reporting the News
JOUR 205 (Spring 2021) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Winter 2020) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Winter 2020) -
Honors Thesis
JOUR 498H (Fall 2020) -
Mobile App Development
JOUR 484 (Fall 2020) -
Mobile App Development
JOUR 584 (Fall 2020) -
News in Society
JOUR 150C1 (Fall 2020) -
Reporting the News
JOUR 205 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Summer I 2020) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Summer I 2020) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Summer I 2020) -
Beg TV Reporting+Prodctn
JOUR 385 (Spring 2020) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 482 (Spring 2020) -
Drone Zone
JOUR 582 (Spring 2020) -
Full STEM Ahead: Sci and News
JOUR 305 (Spring 2020) -
Honors Thesis
JOUR 498H (Spring 2020) -
Entrepreneurial Journalism
JOUR 528 (Fall 2019) -
Honors Thesis
JOUR 498H (Fall 2019) -
Independent Study
JOUR 599 (Fall 2019) -
Master's Report
JOUR 909 (Fall 2019) -
News in Society
JOUR 150C1 (Fall 2019) -
Product Dev. in Journalism
JOUR 428 (Fall 2019) -
Professional Project
JOUR 479 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Visual Journalism
JOUR 319 (Summer I 2019) -
Independent Study
JOUR 599 (Spring 2019) -
Master's Report
JOUR 909 (Spring 2019) -
Media Apprenticeship
JOUR 405 (Spring 2019) -
Media Apprenticeship
JOUR 505 (Spring 2019) -
Principles of Journalism
JOUR 105 (Spring 2019) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Spring 2019) -
Entrepreneurial Journalism
JOUR 528 (Fall 2018) -
Independent Study
JOUR 499 (Fall 2018) -
News in a Digital Age
JOUR 150C1 (Fall 2018) -
Product Dev. in Journalism
JOUR 428 (Fall 2018) -
Professional Project
JOUR 479 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
News in a Digital Age
JOUR 150C1 (Summer I 2018) -
Visual Journalism
JOUR 319 (Summer I 2018) -
Mobile App Development
JOUR 484 (Spring 2018) -
Mobile App Development
JOUR 584 (Spring 2018) -
News in a Digital Age
JOUR 150C1 (Spring 2018) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Spring 2018) -
News in a Digital Age
JOUR 150C1 (Fall 2017) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Fall 2017) -
Professional Project
JOUR 479 (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Visual Journalism
JOUR 319 (Summer I 2017) -
Independent Study
JOUR 599 (Spring 2017) -
News in a Digital Age
JOUR 150C1 (Spring 2017) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Spring 2017) -
Entrepreneurial Journalism
JOUR 428 (Fall 2016) -
Entrepreneurial Journalism
JOUR 528 (Fall 2016) -
Independent Study
JOUR 599 (Fall 2016) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Fall 2016) -
Professional Project
JOUR 479 (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Visual Journalism
JOUR 319 (Summer I 2016) -
Mobile App Development
JOUR 484 (Spring 2016) -
Mobile App Development
JOUR 584 (Spring 2016) -
News in a Digital Age
JOUR 150C1 (Spring 2016) -
Principles of Multimedia
JOUR 307 (Spring 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Creative Productions
- Mckisson, M. J. (2024. Photojournalism: Kari Lake flips on abortion ban, but says she wants to ‘save as many babies as possible’. AZ Mirror. https://azmirror.com/2024/04/17/kari-lake-flips-on-abortion-ban-but-at-tucson-event-says-she-wants-to-save-as-many-babies-as-possible/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2024. Photojournalism: Residents of One of Arizona’s Last Ecologically Intact Valleys Try to Detour the Largest Renewable Energy Project in the US. Inside Climate News. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10042024/arizona-sunzia-transmission-line-wind-energy-development/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Pima County memo assesses jail medical care provider NaphCare. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/28/pima-county-issues-memo-assessing-jail-medical-care-provider-naphcare/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: 7 things to know about UA’s financial crisis. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/08/7-things-to-know-about-uas-financial-crisis/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Arizona attorney general reviewing whether Tucson’s Prop 413 results will be recounted. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/28/arizona-attorney-general-reviewing-whether-tucsons-prop-413-results-will-be-recounted/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Clock ticking for UA to address financial crisis as faculty slams President Robbins for excluding them. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/05/clock-ticking-for-ua-to-address-financial-crisis-as-faculty-slams-president-robbins-for-excluding-them/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: In a reversal, Tucson city council will ask state for advice on recount of Prop 413. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/21/in-reversal-tucson-city-council-will-ask-state-for-advice-on-recount-of-prop-413/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Latest vote tally for Prop 413 likely to trigger recount. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/14/latest-vote-tally-for-prop-413-likely-to-trigger-recount/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Major new UA art museum is planned for 2027 in the heart of Tucson. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/14/major-new-ua-art-museum-is-planned-for-2027-in-the-heart-of-tucson/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Ocotillo management tells Tucson judge they will explore low-income housing potential. AzLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/06/ocotillo-management-tells-tucson-judge-they-will-explore-low-income-housing-potential/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Outraged UA community calls for audit, accountability amid shocking financial crisis. AzLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/15/outraged-ua-community-calls-for-audit-and-accountability-in-abrupt-financial-crisis/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Ruling in federal lawsuit over teen’s death at Pima County jail could show how drugs got inside . AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/21/ruling-in-pima-county-jail-death-lawsuit-could-show-how-drugs-got-inside/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Tucson awaiting AG opinion on Prop 413 recount before asking court to weigh in. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/01/tucson-awaiting-ag-opinion-on-prop-413-recount-before-asking-court-to-weigh-in/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: Tucson says state law doesn’t require recount for Prop 413. State official disagrees.. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/21/tucson-says-state-law-doesnt-require-recount-for-prop-413-state-official-disagrees/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: UA President Robbins to face board of regents now calling for ‘financial oversight’. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/11/ua-president-robbins-to-face-abor-now-calling-for-financial-oversight/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: UA president announces resignation of CFO, plan to solve financial crisis to board of regents. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/13/ua-president-announces-resignation-of-cfo-plan-to-solve-financial-crisis-to-board-of-regents/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: UA president: ‘Overspending’ calls for new controls as deadline looms for budget cuts. AZLuminaria.org. https://azluminaria.org/2023/11/27/ua-president-addresses-concerns-over-budget-but-says-no-decisions-have-been-made/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2023. Photo Journalism: ‘Grief is a uniter.’ COVID memorial unveiled on Tucson’s south side celebrates lives lost. https://azluminaria.org/2023/12/13/grief-is-a-uniter-covid-memorial-unveiled-on-tucsons-south-side-celebrates-lives-lost/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2022. Tucson memorial for shooting victims elevates art born from tragedy. PBS NewsHour. Tucson. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/tucson-memorial-for-shooting-victims-elevates-art-born-from-tragedythe-embraceMore infoAerial videographer
- Mckisson, M. J. (2021. An Unnatural River. Arizona Public Media. Tucson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOcqHk0prsc
- Mckisson, M. J. (2021. Drone footage for SBS promo video. Bear Canyon: SBS.More infoAssisted The SBS marketing department with drone video for a project about the Bazy Tankersley property gifted to SBS.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2021. Pesticide overspray research video. Univeristy of Arizona. Maricopa, Arizona.More infoFilmed and edited drone video for research project documenting the overspray of pesticides from crop dusters.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2020. Arizona Illustrated Introduction (Episode 626(. Arizona Public Media. Tucson. https://tv.azpm.org/p/eps/2020/6/1/173808-arizona-illustrated-episode-626/More infoHired to provide aerial videography of the University of Arizona campus for an Arizona Illustrated episode intro.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2020. Arizona's Rainforest. Arizona Public Media. Tucson. https://www.azpm.org/p/azillhome/2020/7/20/176901-arizonas-rainforest/More infoHired to shoot aerial video for an Arizona Illustrated story on the Biosphere.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2020. Favorite Places: Armory Park. Arizona Public Media. Tucson. https://www.azpm.org/p/azillhome/2020/11/8/183654-favorite-places-armory-park/More infoFilmed aerial video for a news story which aired on Arizona Public Media
- Mckisson, M. J. (2020. Sugar Hill. AZPM. Tucson, Arizona. https://www.azpm.org/p/azillhome/2020/5/18/172914-sugar-hill/More infoProvided drone footage for a story about the Sugar Hill neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2020. Sugar Hill. Arizona Public Media. Tucson. https://tv.azpm.org/p/season6/2020/5/18/172914-sugar-hill/More infoHired to film aerial video for an Arizona Illustrated about the Sugar Hill neighborhood in Tucson.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2020. Top 10 Climbs in America. Global Cycling Network. Tucson, Arizona. https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/video/top-10-road-cycling-climbs-in-the-usaMore infoHired by Global Cycling Network to film drone footage of Mt. Lemmon in Tucson. Arizona.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2019. Dunbar Pavilion Update. Arizona Public Media. Tucson, Arizona. https://tv.azpm.org/p/azill-recent/2019/2/4/145615-dunbar-pavilion-update/More infoShot drone video for an AZPM story.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2019. Saguaro Census. AZPM. https://tv.azpm.org/p/originals-azill-sci/2019/11/22/162138-saguaro-census/
- Mckisson, M. J. (2018. Monsoon Mushrooms. Arizona Illustrated. Tucson Arizona. https://tv.azpm.org/p/originals-azill-sci/2018/10/1/138163-monsoon-mushrooms/More infoShot drone footage for use in this AZPM story.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2018. The Loop. Arizona Illustrated. Tucson, Arizona. https://tv.azpm.org/p/azill-recent/2018/4/3/126803-the-loop/More infoFilmed video via drone for the Arizona Illustrated news video about Tucson's Loop path system.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2018. When Sarah Runs. AZPM. https://tv.azpm.org/p/originals-azill-sports/2018/9/24/137749-when-sarah-runs/More infoShot drone footage included in this AZPM story.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2017. 360 video: UA's Critical Zone Observatory. ONA at UAONA at UA. https://youtu.be/8CSCdlIC7p0
- Mckisson, M. J. (2017. Past and Present of Railroads in Arizona. Arizona Public Media. https://tv.azpm.org/p/azweek-video/2017/7/28/114606-episode-326-past-and-present-of-railroads-in-arizona/More infoFilmed drone video for an AZPM story about railroads in Arizona.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2017. The Talking Mural. Arizona Public Media. https://tv.azpm.org/p/originals-azill-arts/2017/7/20/114276-the-talking-mural/More infoFIlmed drone video for an AZPM news story.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2017. Tree ring lab in 360 degrees. UA.More infoFilmed and edited a 360-degree tour of the Tree Ring Lab for UA Online paired course.
- Mckisson, M. J. (2016. 360 degree video: Tucson's All Souls Procession. ONA at UA. Tucson: ONA at UA. https://youtu.be/4d8CKRVlJz4More infoShot, edited and produced one of the first 360-degree news pieces in the country.
