Dr. Derek O'Connell
Instructional Assistant Professor
Office
FEL Fell Hall 329
Office Hours
Academic advising appointments can be scheduled at https://appointments.illinoisstate.edu/ramonline/Appointment?AGID=940&P=490&AU=0&AG=940&D=-5000d
Office Phone
Email
- About
- Education
- Selected Research
Current Courses
PHI 270.001 Existentialism
IDS 128.005 Thriving In College, Career And Beyond
PHI 251.001 Visions Of The Self:A Study Of Minds And Persons
Teaching Interests & Areas
Existentialism, Philosophy of Human Nature, Philosophy of Religion
Research Interests & Areas
Student Development Theory, Sociology of Education
MS College Student Personnel Administration
Illinois State University
Ph D Philosophy
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
MA Philosophy
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
BA Philosophy
Northern Michigan University
Journal Article
The Importance of Meaning in Life Theory for Academic Advising
Derek O'Connell.
NACADA Review, 6 (1)
Magazine/Trade Publication
How are students really using AI?
Derek O'Connell.
Chronicle of Higher Education, (2025)
Chat GPT After Six Months: More Practical Reflections
Derek O'Connell.
Blog of the APA, American Philosophical Association, (2023)
Chat GPT and Student Writing: Some Practical Reflections
Derek O'Connell.
Blog of the APA, American Philosophical Association, (2023)
Lawsuits and settlements won’t save free speech
Derek O'Connell.
Chronicle of Higher Education, (2022)
Presentations
AI and the college student: What do we know?
Derek O'Connell.
ILACADA 2025 Log-in Conference, Online, May 22, 2025
The importance of meaning-making for advising
Derek O'Connell.
ILACADA December 2024 Brown Bag, Online, December 13, 2024
Using “simple” questions to help advisees (and you) explore meaning, values, and purpose
Derek O'Connell.
ILACADA 2024 Annual Conference, Illinois, September, 2024
Understanding the faculty mind: A guide for advisors
Derek O'Connell.
ILACADA 2023 Annual Conference, Illinois, November, 2023
The Illinois Articulation Initiative general education program: What advisors need to know
Derek O'Connell.
ILACADA 2022 Log-in Conference, Online, May, 2022