CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast

In this episode of The CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, host Eric Magrum sits down with Dr. Tiara Brown from the College of Education at JMU. Dr. Brown shares her path from agriculture and sports administration to special education, spotlighting the power of inclusion and what meaningful transitions from high school to college really look like. 

Tune in to hear: 

-Why “small wins” matter—like one student learning to support a classmate with autism 

-Dr. Brown’s 50/50 rule for maintaining work-life balance 

-The role of mentorship in faculty growth (and why she recommends t...

Duration: 00:21:17

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 sits down with Dr. Bob Kolvoord, JMU’s Interim Provost, to discuss how the university—and higher education more broadly—is evolving in response to emerging technologies and shifting student needs. 

Dr. Kolvoord shares insights on: 

The ethical use of AI in teaching and learning How education continues to evolve at JMU Creating an environment where faculty can thrive 

Tune in for this thoughtful conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of t...

Duration: 00:40:21

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 continues the conversation with Dr. Meghalee Das, diving deeper into how user experience (UX) design principles can shape more intentional and student-centered classrooms. 

Dr. Das shares insights on: 

Applying UX design to create engaging learning experiences Navigating the possibilities and challenges of AI in the classroom Emphasizing process over product in writing and learning 

Tune in for part two of this thoughtful conversation with Dr. Das as she reflects on the r...

Duration: 00:26:49

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 sits down with Dr. Meghalee Das to discuss how principles of collaboration and user experience (UX) research can transform teaching and learning.

Dr. Das shares insights on:

Building collaboration and trust in academic and workplace settingsApplying UX research to enhance learning experiencesEncouraging empathy and understanding in the classroomFostering connection in both in-person and online environments

Tune in for an insightful conversation with Dr. Das as she reflects on the value...

Duration: 00:53:44

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 sits down with Colleen Watson, a statistics teacher here at JMU, to discuss how authenticity and mentorship shape her teaching.  

 

Professor Watson shares insights on: 

Staying authentic in the classroom Keeping students engaged in statistics Directing MadiSTEM, a program designed to encourage middle school girls to explore STEM fields Staying organized while balancing multiple responsibilities 

 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Colleen Watson as she reflects...

Duration: 00:48:56

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the ideas, experiences, and challenges shaping academic life. In this episode, math educator Dr. Elizabeth Brown joins us to talk about becoming a teacher, connecting with students, and navigating the balance between professional and personal life. 

Elizabeth Brown shares: 

The journey to becoming a math teacher and what inspired that path Approaches to building authentic connections with students inside and outside the classroom How hobbies like rescuing dogs and competing in Ironman races bring perspective and balance Strategies for maintaining well-being while meeti...

Duration: 00:41:03

Overcoming challenges, embracing opportunities, and using your resources: A compilation of advice from faculty 

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the experiences, challenges, and strategies of dedicated educators. In this special episode, host Eric Magrum shares a collection of interviews with various faculty members, each responding to the question: If you could go back in time, and meet yourself before your first day at JMU, what advice would you give -- and why? 

Faculty members share advice on: 

Staying present Networking Recognizing your skills Planning Community-building Being open to new expe...

Duration: 00:19:17

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the ideas, experiences, and challenges shaping academic life. In this episode, Grammy-nominated composer and associate professor Dr. Eric Guinivan joins us to talk about teaching, creativity, and the ongoing effort to support students while sustaining a meaningful work-life balance. 

Dr. Guinivan shares: 

Early teaching experiences, from high school marching bands to graduate teaching at Indiana University His innovative work at a public charter school with mixed-age classrooms and peer mentorship How enthusiasm, analytical thinking, and creativity shape his teaching philosophy Strategies for setting boundaries and maint...

Duration: 00:32:45

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the experiences, challenges, and strategies of dedicated educators. In this episode, host Dr. Eric Magrum speaks with Dr. Modjadji Choshi, Associate Professor of Nursing at James Madison University, about her inspiring journey from a remote village in South Africa to becoming a globally experienced nurse educator.   

In this episode, Dr. Choshi shares:  

- Her clinical and academic path through South Africa, Ireland, and the U.S.   

- Insights from her PhD research on self-care among rural women post-coronary intervention   

- The...

Duration: 00:31:57

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 stude...

Duration: 00:28:18

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the ideas, experiences, and challenges shaping academic life. In this Faculty Wellness and Well-being Week (FWWW) episode, host Dr. Eric Magrum speaks with Dr. Mollie Stambler, assistant professor at James Madison University, about health and wellness rhetorics, institutional wellness programs, and why community-focused approaches matter. 

In this episode, Dr. Stambler shares: 

-Her personal journey with wellness, weight, and chronic illness 
- Concerns about employee wellness programs focused more on cost reduction than care 
- Why terms like “wellness” need to be redefined through...

Duration: 00:46:26

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 s...

Duration: 00:15:50

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 sits down with Dr. Robyn Kondrad, Associate Professor at JMU’s Department of Psychology, to discuss her journey in academia, her approach to excellence in teaching, and how she fosters strong connections with her students.

In this episode, Dr. Kondrad shares:
-Her journey as an educator, teaching on a ship, and how she arrived at JMU.
-What excellence in teaching means to he...

Duration: 00:29:50

Welcome to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, a space for continuous learning and actionable insights for faculty. 

In this first episode, host Eric Magrum sits down with Dr. Timothy Ball, Professor in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University, to explore his journey through academia, the key moments that shaped his career, and what excellence in teaching means to him.

In this episode, Dr. Ball shares:
-His journey as an educator, where it started and how he arrived at JMU.
-The mentors and t...

Duration: 00:24:19