Creating a Classroom That Feels Like Home: A Conversation with Dr. Cindy Klevickis

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the experiences and strategies of passionate educators. In this episode, host Dr. Eric Magrum sits down with Dr. Cindy Klevickis from JMU’s Faculty of Integrated Science and Engineering to discuss her journey from industry to academia and how she fosters a learning environment that feels like home.

In this episode, Dr. Klevickis shares:

-Her transition from working in the pharmaceutical industry to teaching at JMU

-What excellence in teaching means to her and how she continues to learn from others

-The role of enthusiasm and hands-on experiences in student engagement

-How food, real-world examples, and even dog walks inspire her classroom

-The quote that guides her philosophy: “A classroom should be the next best place to home”

-Why being a lifelong learner helps her grow alongside her students

Tune in for a thoughtful and grounded conversation about curiosity, connection, and the everyday joys of teaching.

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CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast would love hearing from you! Do you have a question for our guests, a teaching tip to share, or a story about faculty life? Send us a message by clicking on this text. Your message might make it into a future episode.