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 sits down with Dr. Xuebin Wei, a geography professor whose work focuses on generative AI in data science, education, and geospatial analysis. Together, they unpack how AI is transforming the ways students learn, think, and engage with course material.

Dr. Wei shares insights on:

·      Understanding large language models and their capabilities

·      How students use AI and the new skillsets they need to develop

·      Encouraging critical thinking in an AI-rich learning environment

·      How generative AI is reshaping teaching practices and expectations

Tune in for this thoughtful conversation on learning, digital literacy, and the evolving role of AI in higher education.

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In this episode of The CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, host Eric Magrum talks with Dr. Bobby Vaziri from JMU’s College of Business. Dr. Vaziri shares his transition from industry to academia, inspired by his father’s career and great mentors along the way.  

Listen in as Dr. Vaziri discusses:  

• How humor, real-world examples, and presence help create inclusive classrooms  
• Why Success Workshops are making a difference in student engagement and stress reduction  
• How songwriting, fitness, and rest fuel his personal and professional growth  
• His advice for staying grounded: focus less on the rush, and more on the journey

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In this episode of The CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, host Dr. Eric Magrum sits down with Professor Yasmeen Shorish to discuss the role of generative AI in higher education and how educators can navigate its use thoughtfully and responsibly. Through conversations centered on learning, awareness, and ethics, the episode emphasizes keeping knowledge-building at the core while addressing important considerations around privacy and cybersecurity. 

Tune in to hear: 

• How generative AI can support learning and knowledge-building when used intentionally 
• Why prioritizing learning—rather than tools—matters in conversations about AI 
• What it means to be aware of how AI is used in academic spaces 
• How privacy and cybersecurity concerns should shape AI use in the classroom

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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.

In this Part 2 episode of The CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, host Eric Magrum continues the conversation with Dr. Julie Gochenour, diving into her personal teaching philosophy and what it means to create an engaging, trust-centered classroom. Through reflections on mutual respect, authenticity, and joy in teaching, the episode highlights how meaningful learning environments are built through connection—and a willingness to have fun along the way. 

Tune in to hear: 

• How Dr. Gochenour builds mutual trust and respect with her students 
• Why classroom engagement is central to her teaching style 
• What it looks like to make learning enjoyable for both students and professors 
• Why the idea that “if I’m not having fun, you’re not having fun” matters for teaching and learning 

Disclaimer: In describing the value of self-disclosure as a tool for building trust with students, Dr. Gochenour shares an experience that includes discussion of suicide and the loss of a parent. Listener discretion is advised. 

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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.

In this episode of The CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, host Eric Magrum sits down with Dr. Julie Gochenour to talk about what makes teaching, learning, and professional relationships truly meaningful. Through reflections on communication, authenticity, and purpose, the conversation explores how genuine connection shapes both the classroom and the work we do beyond it. 

Tune in to hear: 

• Why genuine connection is at the heart of effective teaching and collaboration 
• How communication serves as the foundation of strong relationships—with students, colleagues, and communities 
• What it means to truly believe in what you teach, and how that belief shows up for learners 
• How the idea that “the medium is the message” influences teaching practices and professional communication 

Disclaimer: In describing the value of self-disclosure as a tool for building trust with students, Dr. Gochenour shares an experience that includes discussion of suicide and the loss of a parent. Listener discretion is advised.

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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.

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 the CFI mentoring program) 

-Ideas for future conversations around navigating change and sustainable career practices 

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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.

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 teaching at JMU. 

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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.

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 role of design, technology, and reflection in fostering authentic student learning. 

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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.

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 settings
• Applying UX research to enhance learning experiences
• Encouraging empathy and understanding in the classroom
• Fostering connection in both in-person and online environments

Tune in for an insightful conversation with Dr. Das as she reflects on the value of empathy-driven teaching and the power of thoughtful design in education.

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.

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 on her teaching journey and the ways she builds meaningful connections with her students, both inside, and outside the classroom.  

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.