Commencement speaker | Dr. William Mira
Fort Lewis College honors an award-winning writer, director, producer, and documentarian.
Dr. William Mira joined Fort Lewis College in 2017 and is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Psychology.
He earned his doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Georgia, where he specialized in applied cognition and development. His research at the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education explored cultural adaptation, identity development, tutoring and mentoring programs, sense of belonging, and self-esteem.
At FLC, Mira teaches courses ranging from introductory psychology to upper-division offerings focused on developmental psychology, bilingualism, ethnic identity, and acculturation. He is widely respected for his rigorous, student-centered approach and his ability to create supportive, engaging learning environments. Students consistently praise his organization, clarity, passion for teaching, and genuine investment in their success.
His commitment to heritage language education inspired the creation of a mentoring program and service-learning course that pairs FLC students with Latino English learners at Escalante Middle School. Through the program, undergraduates support sixth- and seventh-grade students in developing positive attitudes toward reading and literacy skills.
Mira is also a dedicated mentor who supports students in their academic, research, and professional pursuits. Since 2019, he has co-authored 60 student research projects presented at professional conferences. Two of those projects received awards for Outstanding Poster in their field at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association.
In 2026, Mira received the Alice Admire Teaching Award. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Educational Research Association.