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.