Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Dr. Deborah Phillips (Photo: Roland Dimaya)

What do you regard as your greatest academic success?
Publication of Neurons to Neighborhoods.

What is your idea of happiness?
Camping with my children and husband.

Who or what was the greatest influence in your life that led to your career?
My graduate school mentor, Prof. Edward Zigler, who created the hybrid field of child development and public policy and encouraged me to become a second generation leader within it.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Nothing!

What do you enjoy about teaching?
The students! They are bright, inquisitive, and good-hearted.

Who are your favorite heroes/heroines in real life (and why)?
My husband—he has worked behind the scenes in public service for 35 years to make this world a better place for children, low-wage workers, the disabled, and others who are often left behind in public policy decisions.

Who is your favorite musician?
My two sons—Sam, who plays the piano with such strength and beauty, and Elijah, who sings like an angel.

What historical figure would you most like to meet and why?
Martin Luther King—to ask him what he would do today to improve race relations in this country and to tell him about Barack Obama’s run for the presidency.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Give children the vote.

If you could change one thing at Georgetown, what would it be?
I would like service to the nation’s children to be a central theme of the capital campaign at Georgetown.

What is your favorite word?
Wisps—I just like the way it sounds and how much it sounds like what it is.

What, if any, is your phobia?
Heights—terrified of heights.

How do you have fun?
I play with my children (camping, swimming in the ocean, horsing around together with the dog, reading together, sharing jokes, etc.), and I garden.

What is the best piece of advice you could give to your students?
Just say “yes.” Keep yourself open to life’s opportunities. Don’t get too narrow too fast. Whatever plans you have for your life…assume that life will not follow them. Laugh a lot.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Never assume anything.

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