I have reached the end of the doctoral cohort course work phase of my journey. Having started out as two separate cohorts, I have experienced a blending of groups that has worked out for the greater good of all.
Implications
The cohort model of learning is the definitive model for adult learning. UOP has established itself as a platform leader in this arena. The ability to learn from peers who are experts and experienced in a variety of fields, and bring various skills sets, and personal experiences to the learning process has been invaluable. The application of theories, models and readings two teams projects and group work provided opportunities for project management and leadership that will continue to have value far beyond this course.
Conclusions
This course has provided a good opportunity to integrate our learning on leadership. It also provided a final clarification of our personal values,views and understanding of leadership in organizational settings. I wish everyone the best in their pursuit of this dissertation. Dr. Jason Berman, who is the Dean of the Business School at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY likes to remind me that a doctorate is not a sprint, but a long distance run. There is a Biblical adage:
"The race goes not to the swift nor to the strong, but to those who endureth."
Regardless of our projected, unknown or undetermined date of graduation, wemust remember that to achieve success, we must endure.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
Easter Thoughts
Easter is on the horizon. I am looking forward to this day, as it is a family gathering event. Last week my mother was in a six car pile-up, and the only thing that was hurt was her bag of snacks for her bowling tournament! It has given me pause to consider our relationship, and the importance she has in my life. Our time on this earth is not limitless-- we need to remember to put aside petty differences and inconveniences, and to appreciate our loved ones, while we have them.
So-- say amen, and pass the ham!
So-- say amen, and pass the ham!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Jazz, SOTA and El Trumpeto
My son Jerel attended his first Heritage Festival Competition in Williamsburg, VA. You would think he has been a jazz man all his life! Packing instrument, dress clothes, lucky G clef tie (tremble clef for the uninitiated). The 9/10 Jazz band- the youngest ever from School of the Arts- won a Gold Medal!.
Now he is King of the World!
Now he is King of the World!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
What Tennessee Learned from ADAPT- Free our Sidewalks Now!
My words do not do justice to the Tom Foolery of Tennessee State government, so I have just reprinted the article. (Otherwise, no one would believe this!)
**************
Wednesday, 04/05/06
State lawmakers don't control city sidewalks Bill would allow legislative leaders to decide which protests to tolerate City sidewalks exist for the benefit of all people — lawmakers, state workers, pedestrians, immigrants, business people, the homeless and, certainly, protesters.
A bill introduced into the General Assembly ignores that fact, treating the area around the state Capitol as the private realm of lawmakers. Wisely, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, is attempting to amend the bill to make it more respectful of constitutional rights. A wiser solution still would be to dump the bill altogether.
The legislation was sparked by the protest last month of the group American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT. Protesters in wheelchairs clogged sidewalks and streets around the Capitol much of the day, making it impossible for some state employees to exit from their buildings. ADAPT wanted to talk to Gov. Phil Bredesen about the lack of home- and community-based care for the elderly and disabled.
As a result, Sen. Jerry Cooper, D-Smartt, Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and others dropped legislation into the Senate hopper that gave the House and Senate speakers, acting jointly, the power to direct the highway patrol to assume control of traffic on streets, intersections and sidewalks around the Capitol.
Certainly, the tactics of ADAPT enraged many state workers and many Nashvillians. Even some observers, including this page, who agree that Tennessee provides too few options for the elderly and disabled criticized the group for causing such havoc in downtown Nashville.
But giving the legislative leaders the power to declare city sidewalks off-limits to citizens is a solution far worse than the problem.
Moreover, last month the protesters were motivated by the state's health-care policy. Next month, they may be protesting for or against abortion rights or the war in Iraq or a tax-increase proposal or the pending execution of an inmate on death row or a lack of funding for education. The legislation just begs for legislative leaders to pick and choose which protests would be tolerated and which would not.
Several years ago, horn-honking protesters circled the Capitol in their cars in an effort — ultimately successful — to derail a state income tax. Workers in downtown buildings complained that the noise was so loud that it disrupted their work. If memory serves, no member of the General Assembly suggested a bill that would have denied the rights of those individuals.
Protests can be disruptive. There are already laws on the books, however, that allow police to clear streets to ensure the flow of traffic. Metro police and state troopers can work together so that future protesters make their point without barricading workers in their parking garages. They don't need the help of Big Brother. •
Here are pictures from the Tennessean newspaper on the action.
**************
Wednesday, 04/05/06
State lawmakers don't control city sidewalks Bill would allow legislative leaders to decide which protests to tolerate City sidewalks exist for the benefit of all people — lawmakers, state workers, pedestrians, immigrants, business people, the homeless and, certainly, protesters.
A bill introduced into the General Assembly ignores that fact, treating the area around the state Capitol as the private realm of lawmakers. Wisely, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, is attempting to amend the bill to make it more respectful of constitutional rights. A wiser solution still would be to dump the bill altogether.
The legislation was sparked by the protest last month of the group American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, or ADAPT. Protesters in wheelchairs clogged sidewalks and streets around the Capitol much of the day, making it impossible for some state employees to exit from their buildings. ADAPT wanted to talk to Gov. Phil Bredesen about the lack of home- and community-based care for the elderly and disabled.
As a result, Sen. Jerry Cooper, D-Smartt, Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and others dropped legislation into the Senate hopper that gave the House and Senate speakers, acting jointly, the power to direct the highway patrol to assume control of traffic on streets, intersections and sidewalks around the Capitol.
Certainly, the tactics of ADAPT enraged many state workers and many Nashvillians. Even some observers, including this page, who agree that Tennessee provides too few options for the elderly and disabled criticized the group for causing such havoc in downtown Nashville.
But giving the legislative leaders the power to declare city sidewalks off-limits to citizens is a solution far worse than the problem.
Moreover, last month the protesters were motivated by the state's health-care policy. Next month, they may be protesting for or against abortion rights or the war in Iraq or a tax-increase proposal or the pending execution of an inmate on death row or a lack of funding for education. The legislation just begs for legislative leaders to pick and choose which protests would be tolerated and which would not.
Several years ago, horn-honking protesters circled the Capitol in their cars in an effort — ultimately successful — to derail a state income tax. Workers in downtown buildings complained that the noise was so loud that it disrupted their work. If memory serves, no member of the General Assembly suggested a bill that would have denied the rights of those individuals.
Protests can be disruptive. There are already laws on the books, however, that allow police to clear streets to ensure the flow of traffic. Metro police and state troopers can work together so that future protesters make their point without barricading workers in their parking garages. They don't need the help of Big Brother. •
Here are pictures from the Tennessean newspaper on the action.
Dissertation Warming Trend Ahead
- Good news! University of Phoenix has decided to let those in the last dissertation course enroll for the independent study course for dissertation writing of chapter four (research) even if the proposal his not been approved! This is a good news, bad news thing. The good news is the process is not on hold, as most people (count -0) have been able to:
- take classes
- write proposal
- have a life
- get committee approval
- have a life
- not get divorced
- go to work
- have a life...(you see the pattern)
The bad news is that for those who have not written their proposal (ie. First three chapters of their dissertation yet) it looks like a long, cold winter in ABD (all but dissertation) Land. If if isn't done by now, five more weeks is not going to get it there.
Also, of the ten in my cohort, only about four have even submitted a first draft to their committee chair. (Forget about the rest of the Gang of Three!) They have yet to:
- have their feelings hurt
- feel highly ignorant
- feel highly illiterate
- experience mid-grade depression
- take to the bed
- question why they put themselves through this is the first place.
Me, myself, I have to climb that last proposal hurdle..my own personal Mr. Smith (like in the Matrix), and I am Neo.
So, now..I don't run, but turn around and battle (ie. make the nth set of corrections and Battle the Matrix for their acceptance).
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