Derek L. Phillips

Derek L. Phillips is the Associate Director of Financial Aid for the FAU Broward Campuses, located at the One Stop Center in the FAU Davie Liberal Arts building. Phillips is responsible for the awarding and administrating of institutional, state, and, federal student aid programs as well as counseling and advising to our diverse population of students. "Danny Thomas once said ‘success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others,’" Phillips said. "The financial aid cycle is pretty routine but it is the interaction with my FAU colleagues, the students and parents which keeps the job interesting and enjoyable."

Phillips also provides outreach to campus and community agencies; performs needs analysis, new staff training, and financial aid workshops. He has been working at FAU since 2002 and has been in the financial aid field since 1986, with stops in Texas and Minnesota.

Born in Saint Augustine, raised in Fort Lauderdale, and now living in Pompano Beach, Phillips earned a bachelor of science degree at Southern University A&M and decided to focus on financial aid on the university level because "it gives me the opportunity to assist and have an impact on the next generation of students in achieving their academic and personal goals."

Phillips said that the annual pre-pandemic Holiday luncheons with the entire financial aid staff from all FAU campuses is his favorite time of year. He said his most positive experience at FAU was receiving the FAU Save Our Student Award when he retained a student planning to withdraw from the university.

On his time off, Phillips enjoys landscaping, traveling, binge watching a TV series or movies and spending time with family and friends.

"My relationship with God, being genuine with people and always keeping an open mind is what is most important to me," Phillips said.