It is indeed my pleasure and honor to announce this year’s recipient of the Fred R. McFarlane Outstanding Masters of Arts in Education, Postsecondary Educational Leadership Graduate Award.
As you can tell from listening to why this award was created, the recipient of the award must embody many characteristics that Fred embodies. The recipient of the award must be 1) an innovative individual with a new perspective on improving postsecondary education, 2) committed to transforming the community he/she serves through outstanding service, programs, and effective administration and 3) must demonstrate the ability to think creatively with outside of the box solutions.
The postsecondary educational leadership graduating students vote on who receives this award. As they struggle to determine which of their fabulous peers will receive the award, they are encouraged to simply select the one whom they would want to lead them; to select the leader among leaders.
It is now my great honor and privilege to award the Fred R. McFarlane Outstanding Postsecondary Educational Leadership Graduate Award to one who embodies the aforementioned characteristics. As an emerging educator, leader, and aspiring scholar, this student has role-modeled characteristics of which Professor McFarlane would be proud. Furthermore, the recipient has been selected by his peers as their leader among leaders.
This year’s recipient has demonstrated leadership that has extended beyond any of the roles to which he has been assigned. He has provided a foundation on which his peers have found their own courage to grow. He has taken advantage of a number of opportunities that have been provided to him and equally, he has sought out additional opportunities to move beyond what has been provided. He has challenged the status quo with respect and with open heart and mind, learning even more as he provides opportunities for established leaders to learn from his queries. He has participated in national scholarly studies, presenting at national conferences while earning grant funding for his own research pursuits. His commitment to his values and his culture ground him firmly, while his sense of humor provides others with access to his strength. I look forward to watching him continue to spread his roots and providing wisdom in the strong growing branches of collegial relationships that he extends to all those from whom he will continue to learn and to those he will teach and lead.
It is indeed my honor and pleasure to award the inaugural 2010 Fred R. McFarlane Outstanding Postsecondary Educational Leadership Graduate Award to Eric R. Felix.
Please join me in congratulating him for this much deserved honor.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
and Its All Good
I am not use to rejection, failure, or not getting my way. Lately, I've been striking out, throwing picks, and missing easy layups. That's just the way I feel. This sense of failure has been a good thing. I've reflected on who I am. Am I spoiled, too arrogant, or taken my good luck for granted? This rejection has been a humbling experience
Let me continue to relate this feeling to sports. I feel like a top ten draft pick that keeps sliding down the board. Everyone talks about all the potential, skills and impact I'll make at the next level, but no team is calling my number. I am use to success, being an impact player, and doing good for my organization. The reason I feel this way is directly related to my job search. I've applied for 12 positions, received 3 interviews, and got NOs each time. 0-3. I don't take rejection easily, who does? "I want things to go my way, but lately shit been going sideways." (Thanks Drake) What can I do? How do I get out of this slump? I am not someone that dwells on my failures too long, I get up, learning from then, and come back stronger. That's just the way I do it. While writing this blog, "Juicy" by Biggie comes on...and my mood changes.
I hear "get a grip" and then I remember I am not the only one in the struggle. Actually my struggle is somewhat easier than many others' struggles. Thinking of The Notorious B.I.G., I think of my little brother. My little brother means the world to me. I am so proud of him and I want to be a good big brother to him. I then realize, I need to be a role model, show him a pathway, and help him be successful in whatever he wants to do. I'm doing it for him. Then I think about all my homies in Anaheim that never made it passed high school. I'm doing it for them. I think of my fraternity brothers who provided support and always wanted me to be successful. I do it for them too. Everything I do, I do for myself and my community. I remember the lyric "Don't let them hold you down, reach for the stars" and know that I just need to move on to the next one. This job is just one dimensions of who I am and sooner or later I will find a fulfilling student affairs position.
When I think of where I am; two weeks away from graduating with my Masters, working in a profession that lets me help students learn, grow, and be successful, it is so gratifying. Then I think of my family, I can't be any happier. When I think of my support system, I know its all good!
For those reading this, thanks for your support. I appreciate you reading this and making a connection with my world.
Let me continue to relate this feeling to sports. I feel like a top ten draft pick that keeps sliding down the board. Everyone talks about all the potential, skills and impact I'll make at the next level, but no team is calling my number. I am use to success, being an impact player, and doing good for my organization. The reason I feel this way is directly related to my job search. I've applied for 12 positions, received 3 interviews, and got NOs each time. 0-3. I don't take rejection easily, who does? "I want things to go my way, but lately shit been going sideways." (Thanks Drake) What can I do? How do I get out of this slump? I am not someone that dwells on my failures too long, I get up, learning from then, and come back stronger. That's just the way I do it. While writing this blog, "Juicy" by Biggie comes on...and my mood changes.
I hear "get a grip" and then I remember I am not the only one in the struggle. Actually my struggle is somewhat easier than many others' struggles. Thinking of The Notorious B.I.G., I think of my little brother. My little brother means the world to me. I am so proud of him and I want to be a good big brother to him. I then realize, I need to be a role model, show him a pathway, and help him be successful in whatever he wants to do. I'm doing it for him. Then I think about all my homies in Anaheim that never made it passed high school. I'm doing it for them. I think of my fraternity brothers who provided support and always wanted me to be successful. I do it for them too. Everything I do, I do for myself and my community. I remember the lyric "Don't let them hold you down, reach for the stars" and know that I just need to move on to the next one. This job is just one dimensions of who I am and sooner or later I will find a fulfilling student affairs position.
When I think of where I am; two weeks away from graduating with my Masters, working in a profession that lets me help students learn, grow, and be successful, it is so gratifying. Then I think of my family, I can't be any happier. When I think of my support system, I know its all good!
For those reading this, thanks for your support. I appreciate you reading this and making a connection with my world.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Raisin my self and my community
Do you remember the play "A Raisin in the Sun?" or the poem "Harlem?" About people trying to make it and do something big with their lives. In this play, the family had big dreams, but was challenged by the struggles of life. Being resilient, the family overcame their obstacles and achieved their dream. What these two literary pieces taught me was that the future can seem uncertain and difficult, but with optimism and determination we can live out our dreams successfully.
Well that's what this blog is about. Its about me declaring my dreams and staying accountable to my true self. What happen to those dreams I had as a child? I remember wanting to joining the Air Force and become a fighter pilot. In high school, I wanted to be a history teacher. Why history? History teaches us the past and shapes future. This blog is to let out all the ideas I have about the rest of my life. I need to get these ideas out before I forget them or allow them to become a "dream deferred." I will defer my dreams no longer!
As some leadership book taught me...lets start with the end in mind. My first goal is my last goal. And my last goal, is my first goal to accomplish.
1. Community Resource Center
I have a inner passion to serve my Latino community and address many of the issues we face. Socioeconomic struggle, lack of college preparation, racial discrimination, inability to progress are the issues I will target. How? Community Engagement and Educational Outreach. My ultimate dream is to create a Community Resource Center. A place that engages the community in uplifting itself through culturally relevant programs that build self-advocacy skills, improves social/economic capital, and educates people on how to progress in society.
What would this space look like? First it would be a free service to all community members regardless of age, ethnicity, income level, religion, or immigration status.
Primarily this would be a center that promoted cultural diversity and appreciation. Second, it would have a mission to educate the community (college knowledge, English classes, college prep, tax prep, health care, and everything else people struggle to grasp and navigate through).
Services:
Study Space
K-12 Tutoring
Computer Workstations
English Acquisition Lessons
Naturalization Test Assistance (Interns from local university)
Cultural Nights (Spoken word, musical performances, plays, and the such)
Community events (secular and religious)
2. Senior University Administrator
The thought has always crossed my mind to become a university president or vice president, but the contact with the community and students decreases as your title increases. None the less, I want to be in a position to create/implement policies that help all students be successful in college. In order to be in that position, some things are required. (Namely,a PhD, Years of Exp., Opportunity)
3. Enroll and Graduate from a Doctoral program.
4. Improve my surrounding community and increase the college-going aspirations of students
5. Attain my Masters and find a position in Outreach and College Prep programs.
"Everything i'm not, made me everything I am."
Well that's what this blog is about. Its about me declaring my dreams and staying accountable to my true self. What happen to those dreams I had as a child? I remember wanting to joining the Air Force and become a fighter pilot. In high school, I wanted to be a history teacher. Why history? History teaches us the past and shapes future. This blog is to let out all the ideas I have about the rest of my life. I need to get these ideas out before I forget them or allow them to become a "dream deferred." I will defer my dreams no longer!
As some leadership book taught me...lets start with the end in mind. My first goal is my last goal. And my last goal, is my first goal to accomplish.
1. Community Resource Center
I have a inner passion to serve my Latino community and address many of the issues we face. Socioeconomic struggle, lack of college preparation, racial discrimination, inability to progress are the issues I will target. How? Community Engagement and Educational Outreach. My ultimate dream is to create a Community Resource Center. A place that engages the community in uplifting itself through culturally relevant programs that build self-advocacy skills, improves social/economic capital, and educates people on how to progress in society.
What would this space look like? First it would be a free service to all community members regardless of age, ethnicity, income level, religion, or immigration status.
Primarily this would be a center that promoted cultural diversity and appreciation. Second, it would have a mission to educate the community (college knowledge, English classes, college prep, tax prep, health care, and everything else people struggle to grasp and navigate through).
Services:
Study Space
K-12 Tutoring
Computer Workstations
English Acquisition Lessons
Naturalization Test Assistance (Interns from local university)
Cultural Nights (Spoken word, musical performances, plays, and the such)
Community events (secular and religious)
2. Senior University Administrator
The thought has always crossed my mind to become a university president or vice president, but the contact with the community and students decreases as your title increases. None the less, I want to be in a position to create/implement policies that help all students be successful in college. In order to be in that position, some things are required. (Namely,a PhD, Years of Exp., Opportunity)
3. Enroll and Graduate from a Doctoral program.
4. Improve my surrounding community and increase the college-going aspirations of students
5. Attain my Masters and find a position in Outreach and College Prep programs.
"Everything i'm not, made me everything I am."
Friday, December 18, 2009
Dream Eater
This blog is inspired by the comments of Ethan Singer, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at San Diego State University.
For the last three months there has been resistance from the community against the removal of the SDSU local admission guarantee policy. The guarantee allowed all students in the SDSU service area, who were CSU Eligible, admission to the university.
According to Singer, changes in the policy were to ensure the admission of students with the highest level of academic preparation. Some screamed academic elitism others cried institutional racism, but most recognized that the policy would undoubtedly deny access to Latino students who reside within the service area. A true tragedy in the fight for access to higher education.
Singer continued, “We have great students from the San Diego area, but we also have a mass of students that are really underprepared, in the same classroom with people with 3960 eligibility and above.” 3960, is a number that refers to the eligibility index which is created with high school grades and SAT/ACT test score. Singer commented, “You have to look at academic preparation even more so than you have in the past.”
So the focus is on academic preparation.
Latino and low socioeconomic students have consistently seen years and patterns of subordination, exclusion, and marginalization by K-12 educational institutions. Equal educational opportunities is non-existent in our public education system. For many Latinos the system has failed them through serious underfunding, inadequate facilities, lack of instructional equipment, untrained teachers, and various other reasons.
Our communities to continue struggling in order to create the changes that many earlier civil rights leaders dreamt about and fought for in the past. Unfortunately, their dreams, especially the dream of equal educational opportunity and full access to college, are not yet a reality. Drop out rates continue to hover around the fiftieth percentile for Latino students on a local, state, and national level. In addition, many Latino students from lower socio-economic communities do not have the luxury to leave their communities and enroll in universities away from home.
In spite of economic difficulties, educational inequality and lack of academic preparation in middle and high school, Latino students have enrolled, persisted, and graduated from the CSUs. It is the resiliency of our community that has helped Latinos overcome the inequities and succeed. The removal of the Local Admit Guarantee policy has united the Latino community and remind us of the struggle we are still in to create true equity in our society.
I do not write this in frustration or anger, but with optimism for the future. This is a call to action, this is a response to the dream killing policy SDSU has enacted. I am a Latino who was academically unprepared, one who could not afford to leave my family, and attended my service area CSU. There I found an opportunity to succeed, I thrived, and became the first college graduate of my family. I am a product of the CSU system and I advocate for its affordable and quality education it provides. I believe in the saying "Education is the true equalizer," I will continue to work for access and success for my community and help them progress through education.
Esta La Victoria Siempre.
For the last three months there has been resistance from the community against the removal of the SDSU local admission guarantee policy. The guarantee allowed all students in the SDSU service area, who were CSU Eligible, admission to the university.
According to Singer, changes in the policy were to ensure the admission of students with the highest level of academic preparation. Some screamed academic elitism others cried institutional racism, but most recognized that the policy would undoubtedly deny access to Latino students who reside within the service area. A true tragedy in the fight for access to higher education.
Singer continued, “We have great students from the San Diego area, but we also have a mass of students that are really underprepared, in the same classroom with people with 3960 eligibility and above.” 3960, is a number that refers to the eligibility index which is created with high school grades and SAT/ACT test score. Singer commented, “You have to look at academic preparation even more so than you have in the past.”
So the focus is on academic preparation.
Latino and low socioeconomic students have consistently seen years and patterns of subordination, exclusion, and marginalization by K-12 educational institutions. Equal educational opportunities is non-existent in our public education system. For many Latinos the system has failed them through serious underfunding, inadequate facilities, lack of instructional equipment, untrained teachers, and various other reasons.
Our communities to continue struggling in order to create the changes that many earlier civil rights leaders dreamt about and fought for in the past. Unfortunately, their dreams, especially the dream of equal educational opportunity and full access to college, are not yet a reality. Drop out rates continue to hover around the fiftieth percentile for Latino students on a local, state, and national level. In addition, many Latino students from lower socio-economic communities do not have the luxury to leave their communities and enroll in universities away from home.
In spite of economic difficulties, educational inequality and lack of academic preparation in middle and high school, Latino students have enrolled, persisted, and graduated from the CSUs. It is the resiliency of our community that has helped Latinos overcome the inequities and succeed. The removal of the Local Admit Guarantee policy has united the Latino community and remind us of the struggle we are still in to create true equity in our society.
I do not write this in frustration or anger, but with optimism for the future. This is a call to action, this is a response to the dream killing policy SDSU has enacted. I am a Latino who was academically unprepared, one who could not afford to leave my family, and attended my service area CSU. There I found an opportunity to succeed, I thrived, and became the first college graduate of my family. I am a product of the CSU system and I advocate for its affordable and quality education it provides. I believe in the saying "Education is the true equalizer," I will continue to work for access and success for my community and help them progress through education.
Esta La Victoria Siempre.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Things I've learned at 25
1. Its okay to shop like a kid. You can still buy your cereal based on the free toy you get.
2. Its is never okay to go to a bar that advertises Jager Bombs as their special of the night. For that matter, avoid any club with the "18 to get in, 21 to get down" slogan, nothing good has ever come of it.
3. Black lights should not be in your possession after turning 23 or becoming junior in college, which ever comes first.
4. Its okay to fall in love, that's part of life.
5. Do not relate women to cars, wine, milk, animals or any other object, they are all poor analogies.
6. When you do turn 25, find a better reason to celebrate than lower auto insurance rates, that's just sad if you do.
7. Joining a Greek organization was one of the best decisions I ever made. Find your niche.
8. Many of life's problems are out of your control, do not stress. Be like a Captain who steers his ship through rough water...He does not control the seas, only his vessel. So focus on the things you do have control over.
9. Love your friends, love your family, but love yourself first. You can't make others happy without being happy yourself.
10.
11.
12.
This list continues, I'm going to bed.
2. Its is never okay to go to a bar that advertises Jager Bombs as their special of the night. For that matter, avoid any club with the "18 to get in, 21 to get down" slogan, nothing good has ever come of it.
3. Black lights should not be in your possession after turning 23 or becoming junior in college, which ever comes first.
4. Its okay to fall in love, that's part of life.
5. Do not relate women to cars, wine, milk, animals or any other object, they are all poor analogies.
6. When you do turn 25, find a better reason to celebrate than lower auto insurance rates, that's just sad if you do.
7. Joining a Greek organization was one of the best decisions I ever made. Find your niche.
8. Many of life's problems are out of your control, do not stress. Be like a Captain who steers his ship through rough water...He does not control the seas, only his vessel. So focus on the things you do have control over.
9. Love your friends, love your family, but love yourself first. You can't make others happy without being happy yourself.
10.
11.
12.
This list continues, I'm going to bed.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Afflicated at The Rail
As some of you may know, I love my Nordys and the Rail. Great customer service, good fashion, and cool threads...Today I went shopping for a Button-down black t-shirt and it took me about 30 minutes to find it.
Why is it so hard to buy a simple black long sleeve shirt. I don't want skulls on my back, bat wings on my shoulders, affliction running across my chest, metal studs, or gold foil. When did these crazy designs become fashionable? I just want a classic black shirt.
Why is it so hard to buy a simple black long sleeve shirt. I don't want skulls on my back, bat wings on my shoulders, affliction running across my chest, metal studs, or gold foil. When did these crazy designs become fashionable? I just want a classic black shirt.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
A day I need chocolate chip cookie dough and Bravo
I don't really know where to start. But I guess this blog begins with disappointment. A disappointment I have felt for years. Included in this disappointment are feelings of anger, resentment, and detachment. For many years I have struggled with the interesting dynamic my family presents. No family is truly "functional" and all have their problems, but some more than others. In this dysfunctionality, I think of my relationship with my father; the drug/alcohol abuse, the lack of support, the abandonment, and disconnect. For years I've tried to mend the relationship, trying to pieces together a history that was never there and recreating father-son experiences robbed by selfishness. Although my father returned to the family, it was too late for me to create a connection...I had grown-up with teachers and community mentors piecing together a reliable "father figure."
This idea started yesterday, when I was asked my favorite childhood memory....I couldn't think of one...maybe I'm a pessimist, but the things i do remember of my childhood include yelling, fighting, separations and bring feelings of isolation...
Combined with these feelings are my family's expectations to be the guidance counselor and college guru to every relative I know. Although, I make a difference in hundreds of students lives...to them it means nothing unless I also provide that effort and support to my relatives. This pressure is greatest with my one and only brother. He is ten years younger than I and the most important part of my life and the reason I stay connected with my family is to make sure he is doing okay. The last two years have brought upon arguments between my parents and I to take custody of him and be his legal guardian. There are many reasons I feel fit to raise my brother and help him progress through his teenage years. Regardless, I want the best for him and the goals he has for himself. Currently, is future career is a professional angler (Sports Fishermen) and I love it!
What it comes down to is...I hate knowing my family has leniency to get away with these things. I like to be in control, in control of my emotions, I thrive on knowing that only I create and influence my emotions. I dislike knowing that people (family) can have such an influence on my emotions and the way I feel. This might extend to my relationships and my uncomfortableness with emotions and knowing that I can make some feel great/horrible with my words and actions. When I get that feeling I self-destruct that relationship...I isolate myself because then, only I can influence my emotions.
I can't deal with the emotionally drain actions and decisions they make. I think to myself, what is the best way to distance myself, yet stay connected with my family. How do you deal with this unhealthy relationship? When you have an unhealthy relationship with a friend...its easy to cut the friendship...but how does it go when its a family member, a father or Mother? How do you renegotiate that relationship on your own terms? I don't want to be let down, have my hopes crushed, and be waiting for something that never happens. (Hmm, I get it)
I should have been enjoy a nice vacation with my family, but instead I am writing this blog and still patiently waiting...
This idea started yesterday, when I was asked my favorite childhood memory....I couldn't think of one...maybe I'm a pessimist, but the things i do remember of my childhood include yelling, fighting, separations and bring feelings of isolation...
Combined with these feelings are my family's expectations to be the guidance counselor and college guru to every relative I know. Although, I make a difference in hundreds of students lives...to them it means nothing unless I also provide that effort and support to my relatives. This pressure is greatest with my one and only brother. He is ten years younger than I and the most important part of my life and the reason I stay connected with my family is to make sure he is doing okay. The last two years have brought upon arguments between my parents and I to take custody of him and be his legal guardian. There are many reasons I feel fit to raise my brother and help him progress through his teenage years. Regardless, I want the best for him and the goals he has for himself. Currently, is future career is a professional angler (Sports Fishermen) and I love it!
What it comes down to is...I hate knowing my family has leniency to get away with these things. I like to be in control, in control of my emotions, I thrive on knowing that only I create and influence my emotions. I dislike knowing that people (family) can have such an influence on my emotions and the way I feel. This might extend to my relationships and my uncomfortableness with emotions and knowing that I can make some feel great/horrible with my words and actions. When I get that feeling I self-destruct that relationship...I isolate myself because then, only I can influence my emotions.
I can't deal with the emotionally drain actions and decisions they make. I think to myself, what is the best way to distance myself, yet stay connected with my family. How do you deal with this unhealthy relationship? When you have an unhealthy relationship with a friend...its easy to cut the friendship...but how does it go when its a family member, a father or Mother? How do you renegotiate that relationship on your own terms? I don't want to be let down, have my hopes crushed, and be waiting for something that never happens. (Hmm, I get it)
I should have been enjoy a nice vacation with my family, but instead I am writing this blog and still patiently waiting...
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