20 Minutes of Sanity: Musings of a Dad in Doctoral Disguise #2

Three long breaths.

I've now grounded myself and can share the musings of the day.

I am thankful for this writing break. This chance to release my innermost thoughts (break to put phone on DND) in regard to my applied research project and life is quite the undertaking—but also, quite exhilarating.

I've been thinking about it all day. What to write, what to do before I write; what will come of this. So many thoughts have touched down and now we're here.

So…what are the musings of the day?!?

I've been thinking about and entrenched in my stakeholders.

Who are the people in my life daily that especially affect the work I do and who are the individuals and entities that I need to get through and bring alongside this applied research project?

Regarding the research project, I will need state-level leadership that can effect change in the Tennessee Department of Education, Higher Education Commission, Tennessee Comptroller's Office, and interested lawmakers and lobbyists to learn the depth of effort that has been put in to rectify the funding gap between Tennessee State University and the other public institutions throughout the state.

I'm curious about who exactly should be involved and my methodology, ensuring that I'm reaching the right people. Will I use the avenues I use as a fundraiser—using warm connections, public information that qualifies their influence, referrals and leads, etc.? My immediate answer is yes. Then the next thought is when should I reach out—and the time is now.

To make a list of who to reach out to is a tangible next step that I can do as an hour-long project tonight—since classes don't start until Monday, Aug. 26th. My goal this semester is to begin the research so that I can begin collecting the data points that I will need to make the argument for Tennessee State University to receive a fair allocation of state funding from the state government.

In other news, the boys are down for the night. I used every bit of my finesse to quell the "after school meltdown" that David often exhibits in that transition from daycare to home. It's an Olympian sport and I'm sure only a few parents can take that stand at the end. I'm pretty sure I placed silver today (Smile).

Additionally, I … (erased this sentence). There's a time and place for everything and this ain't either.

It's been 20 minutes. And it flew by quickly. I'll let you all know how close I am to having a conversation about my research project with both Gov. Bill Lee (TN) and Gov. Wes Moore (MD).

We've got work to do!

Dex