Mike Scionti

About me: I grew up in Tucson, cheering the Cats from the Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr days through two degrees and beyond. I studied music and molecular biology as an undergrad, then focused on choral conducting and education during graduate school. My teaching career began in Detroit, Michigan and stretched as far as Mexico, Brazil, Italy, and Russia before returning to Arizona. For 20+ years, I have dedicated myself to students, teachers, and families improving their academic outcomes and I am so pleased to continue this work as an Academic Advisor in the Department of Computer Science.

Building relationships with students and talking about dreams and aspirations is my favorite part of advising. I know that each person is unique and so is their personal and academic journey. I also believe that experiencing and overcoming challenges and adversity is what makes a person strong and successful. It’s not about how many times you fall down, it’s about how readily you can pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.

In addition to advising, I am passionate about improving equitable outcomes for disenfranchised communities and work to improve K-12 teacher satisfaction. I find joy in singing, cooking, and gardening, watching sports with my kids, beer and wine craft, and listening to new and live music whenever possible.

Favorite books: The Alchemist, How To Be Alone, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Things Fall Apart

Favorite TV Shows: Stranger Things, Dexter, The Office, South Park

Favorite Movies: Moulin Rouge, Princess Bride, Coco, Wicked, Ray, Cidade de Deus, La Vita É Bella, Hamilton, Airplane, Black Panther

Favorite Music: Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, Norah Jones, India Arie, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Kendrick Lamar, Pentatonix, Rage Against the Machine, Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Marian Hill, Louis the Child, Welles, Hades Town

Favorite Quotes: “Today we’re younger than we’re ever gonna be.” – Regina Spektor 
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.” – Eden Ahbez