Wow

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.

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.

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."