Board of Trustees | Trustee
After joining NLU as Vice Provost of Academic Programs and Accreditation in summer 2021, Dr. Phillips lead the regulatory affairs team on all areas related to accreditation, including the reaffirmation of accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. He led the development and implementation of a “new program process” for the academic curriculum. He is also deeply involved in new initiatives and new technologies that aim to improve learning outcomes.
Dr. Phillips has broad knowledge of academic affairs, having served in a variety of leading roles throughout his career. Before joining NLU, Dr. Phillips served as the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Kennedy-King College, where he served for nine years in several roles. As Vice President, Dr. Phillips provided strategic direction and leadership to Kennedy-King College’s academic operations, student support services, as well as the college’s accreditation and compliance efforts. Dr. Phillips managed an academic portfolio of more than 60 academic programs and a collective budget of $12.5 million.
Dr. Phillips has also served in various roles at Northern Illinois University, Malcolm X College, and Rush University Medical Center in the areas of Residential Life, Academic Advising, Student Finance, College Registrar, Academic Affairs among others.
Dr. Phillips holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Sociology and Criminology as well as a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Administration all from Northern Illinois University. His academic interests are focused on examining social and structural inequities for justice-involved individuals of color and challenging existing structures of power and privilege.