The Voyage of a Scholar
June 29, 2008 | 
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Dr. Steve Staley has distinguished himself as a Renaissance scholar in Colorado Springs and beyond. His academic prowess encompasses aviation, political science, literature, epistemology (the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge) strategic planning, and world cultures. Presently he serves as Professor of Management and Humanities at Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, but his present assignment is only the latest in a series of strategic posts he has maintained as an academic, a military strategist, and a firebrand for his students.
Steve’s journey to academe began after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He served as a pilot instructor and soon found that his academic passion had grown exponentially to include political science, psychology and literature. As a USAFA faculty member, he excelled in teaching literature-based composition to cadets, preparing them to “think on their feet” as they honed their skills in writing cum logic and persuasion.
1979 initiated another career boon for Steve when he earned his doctorate at the University of Colorado Boulder in 18th Century literature. His thesis explored Jonathan Swift’s “A Tale of a Tub”, focusing upon the elements of satire within the sanctum sanctorum of elitist scholarship. From there he developed capstone courses in professional writing, spending ten years at the United States Air Force Academy creating scientific approaches to literature in order to design a series of value added courses for cadets whose primary focus was engineering and aviation.
Steve was invited to teach at the Naval War College at Annapolis. It was here that he developed a course that he describes as “a world view” of war as a national phenomenon. Beginning with Thucydides (Peloponnesian War), and the Carthaginian campaign, Polybius (The Histories or The Rise of the Roman Empire), he and his students proceeded to an investigation of the Napoleonic Wars and explored strategies and policies that virtually changed the modern concept of warfare. Steve’s course examined military planning, governmental operations, and the will of the people, all existing in tandem to create a delicate balance to exert control in times of conflict.
Yet another change occurred when Steve was invited to serve as Director of Recruiting and Retention at UCCS. He came in on the ground floor of an innovational program, “Freshman Seminar” whose mission was to empower entering freshmen with tools to ensure success in the university setting. Since its inception, the Freshman Seminar has become a cornerstone for student success at UCCS and beyond.
In 1995 Steve received a Fulbright fellowship to teach for one year at the Kyrgyz State National University in Bishkek, where he developed courses in business communication and American literature. He and his wife, Professor Connie Staley, have maintained communications with their Kyrgyz students to this day.
Steve admits to thriving within challenging educational environments. His work at Colorado Tech allows him to do what his 9th grade teacher, Mrs. Kirsher, once suggested that he maintain as his mantra, “be able to determine when somebody wants to go further” and encourage that dream.
“Colorado Tech students maintain a variety of life goals simultaneously,” Steve said. “They are non-traditional students, they are often in mid life, married, in a job, and have significant responsibilities.” His courses are geared to allow them access to world literature as a means to open doors of understanding to the world and establish a sense of academic professionalism while exploring the literature.
“I don’t see an end to teaching in my career,” Steve told us. As education venues change, he envisions himself orchestrating portal educational forums and continuing to interact with students as they develop their management and humanities skills one tome at a time. “Students are the reason I come to work every day.”
Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote, “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers” (Locksley Hall, Line 141). Our best hope is that Steve continue to inspire his students and energize his colleagues with the intensity of his wisdom, and the integrity of his intellect. He is, after all, a unique Renaissance man.
- M.
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