Skip to main content

Meet Professor Phillip E. Mitchell, International Songwriter & Online Professor


Phillip Mitchell taught as an assistant professor of English at Gainesville State College for four years. In fall 2012, he left to pursue a doctoral degree in creative writing at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, but continues to teach remotely as an adjunct for UNG.


He has also had seven songs place in the semi-finals and one song place in the finals at this year's UK Songwriting Competition, an international contest that gives winners the opportunity to work with top names in London's music business.





The most challenging part of being an eCore/eMajor instructor is ...….?
Keeping up with the grading. That’s been the biggest challenge of my career.
Describe the most interesting online student you've had.
I’ve had several interesting students. They’ve traveled all over the world. Some have families. Some have been working in professional careers for several years. They all bring a lot to the discussions.
The definition of success is……………………?
Doing what you’re passionate about, what enlivens you and keeps you going.
Who in history would you like to spend an hour with and what would you talk about?
I’d like to talk with John Keats or Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Or any of the Romantics, I suppose. I’d ask about their creative processes and their inspiration for poems. I’d particularly like to know more about Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan.”

Describe the best night of your teenage life.
Graduating high school.

What did you think was “cool” when you were around 8 years old?
Hanging out with my older brother.

Describe your first car.
1988 Mazda 626. Bad alternator. Bad radiator. Stranded me more than once.

The chore I really hate is………………?
Washing dishes.

What would you tell the 10 year old you?
It’s going to be a rough ride but worth it. Hang in there.

Most Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me………………….?
Grading!

What was the last movie that made you cry?
I’ll keep this one to myself, of course.


What are two things most people don't know about you?
I’m an ordained minister and I like cheesy 80s pop music.

The most used appliance in my house is…………………..?
Dishwasher now, thank goodness. I lived in a flat last year that had neither a dishwasher nor a dryer.

What was your favorite joke as a child?
This is a tough one. I was quite a jokester. I think it’d have to be “what do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhino? Elephino!”

What song makes you sing when driving in your car? Why?
I sing to almost everything I listen to in the car. This is one of the things I miss most about living the US. Now that I’m in the UK, I take the train or long walks. If I were to sing, I’m sure I’d get some funny looks. I’d have to say Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty” is my favorite driving song, for obvious reasons. Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” is a close second.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Online Students Giving Back: Volunteer Opportunities in Georgia During the Holidays

As we move into the final weeks of class and into the holidays, many online students look for opportunities to reconnect in person and make a community impact. The holiday break is an excellent time to engage in volunteer opportunities that can boost resumes and provide personal fulfilment.  If you are working through the holidays or struggling to balance it all, consider starting small. Even a donation or a call to an elderly visit or friend is a powerful start. And as an online student, you have likely developed unique skills that can make you effective in both virtual and in-person community endeavors. Following are a few ideas for holiday volunteer work in Georgia: Ring the Bell. You can become a holiday Salvation Bell Ringer and help raise funds for disaster relief, homeless shelters, and anti-human trafficking efforts. You can sign up for as little as a two-hour shift in your local area. Share the Feast. The Big Gobble (Columbus, LaGrange, and Albany) is one of many organiz...
Post a Comment
Read more

Developing Your Elevator Pitch: USG eCampus Career Focus

Your elevator pitch is a 30-second summary of who you are and how you impact others. It’s called an elevator pitch because it’s a statement that you could use to introduce yourself in the time that it takes to ride an elevator. Sounds simple? Not necessarily. Even when our career goals are clear in our minds, it can take some practice to introduce yourself in a brief yet impactful way. Why You Need an Elevator Pitch An elevator speech is really all about first impressions. You’ll use it in networking. Networking occurs not just in formal situations such as career fairs, but also when you meet a new person in a social or academic setting. Sometimes, these new connections lead to jobs or career leads. You’ll also use a version of your elevator speech in job interviews. This may be when you first meet an interviewer or after the interview begins and you are asked to tell about yourself. In many USG eCore and USG eMajor online classes, you’ll have an introductory discussion post to help yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Three-Step Path to Online Course Success this Fall

Fall semester in college represents new beginnings. For those just starting college, it’s a wildly exciting time with some serious adjustments. For returning students, it’s a time to build on past success or move on from previous challenges. In spite of all the advice you may receive, success really comes down to three simple things. And with USG eCampus (eCore and eMajor) online courses, you have committed partners in your instructor and support team. Believe that You Will Succeed The first step to success is to truly believe that you will succeed. No matter what courses lie ahead or what has happened in the past, envision yourself doing well. Research indicates that mindset is closely related to college success. And this sometimes means letting go of strategies that didn’t work for you in the past. For example, if studying in your room proves to be too distracting, consider going to a library or a coffee shop. If waiting until the last minute to post an online discussion leads to you...
Post a Comment
Read more