Imaginative Teaching, Embracing Discomfort, and Leading with Play – A Conversation with Dr. Delores Phillips

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the experiences, challenges, and strategies of dedicated educators. In this episode, host Eric Magrum speaks with Dr. Delores Phillips, Director of the African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Center at JMU, about her journey through higher education and her bold, creative approach to teaching and leadership.

In this episode, Dr. Phillips shares:

-How her path began as a teaching assistant at the University of Maryland.
-The value of imagination and play in creating meaningful learning environments.
-Why she encourages students to demonstrate knowledge through more than just traditional essays.
-How discomfort, especially in conversations about race, can lead to deeper understanding.
-The ongoing challenge of balancing personal well-being with professional responsibilities.
-The role gaming and community play in her self-care.
-The advice she’d give her younger self: Love yourself. Face the challenge. Ask for help.

Dr. Phillips offers a compelling look at how joy, challenge, and transformation can coexist in education. Tune in for a reflective and energizing conversation about teaching, equity, and care.

DISCLAIMER:

Dr. Phillips uses the phrase “heavy guns” as a metaphor to describe the powerful, creative, and courageous contributions her students bring to class discussions.

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.