Michele completed her undergraduate degree at Kenyon College, Ohio, with a double major in English Literature and Studio Art; her Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa; and her Ph.D. in English (Composition and TESOL) from IUP.

Before joining IUP's staff in 1997, Michele lived in Southern Africa (Botswana and South Africa) for nearly seven years. Without a doubt, her experiences in Africa as well as her extensive traveling, both professionally and personally, solidified her commitment to international education.

In her spare time, Michele loves to read, see movies, visit museums and other historical/cultural sites, travel, listen to music, and spend time with friends and family. She and her husband, Stephan Schaffrath, live in Indiana with their son, Maximilian, and cat, Luna.