Michael Costolo graduated from Guilford College in 2011 with degrees in Philosophy and English Literature. He then attended the Elon University School of Law, where he was recognized for achievements in Moot Court and as the Competition Chair for the prestigious Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition. Michael joined the Guilford College faculty full-time as Visiting Assistant Professor of Justice & Policy Studies in 2018. He is the adviser for the Pre-Law program and serves on the Faculty Clerk’s Committee as the Faculty Recording Clerk. 

Michael also oversees the Guilford College/Elon Law accelerated program and supervises graduate students in the Guilford College Masters of Criminal Justice program. He has taught courses in Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure and the Courts. Michael’s most popular course, Binging True Crime, is an experiential 3-week course designed for students who love crime media and are interested in the multi-billion dollar industry’s impact on perceptions of crime and justice.

Through his 5 years of teaching at Guilford College, Michael has been recognized for teaching and advising excellence by the Guilford College students, faculty and staff several times. Most recently, he received the Bruce B. Stewart Award for Teaching Excellence (non-tenured) in 2022, as well as the Difference Maker Award and the Dick Dyer Faculty Hearts and Hands Award in 2023.