So as we hit the mid-point of the month of December, I start thinking about what is less than a month away, and make final preparations for what will be ten great days in a great city working with some of the most talented people I know.
What is the same is the housing; we will be making our second stay at the Garfield Suites in Cincinnati. This is probably the best solution for going away and staying somewhere that doesn’t have a beach. Feels like a home away from home.
What is different this residency is that we are also having our classes at the same hotel where we are staying. To me this is a comfort–no coats, no boots, no snow, and no commute. It will be a relaxing situation.
What I am most excited about is the use of technology this time around. Sure, we have always had all the comforts of home (wireless access and Starbucks coffee), but this time I will be active in a technical matter. First, daily blog entries are planned (in some cases multiple daily blogs). Also we are going to experiment with some other technology.
The other item that I am excited about is the fact that I will be teaching a class back in Rochester with the use of technology. I am hoping that my master’s students are as excited as I am about me teaching them about “Leadership in the E-World.” The most exciting part here is that some of my colleagues will be teaching along with me and taking part in the action.
So much to still prepare…. Looking forward to our time together in a few short weeks and creating something special … again….
-j-
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Life of the Ph.D. Student
I have been away from the blog for a couple weeks while I get the time to take a deep breath and reflect on what a difficult semester this has been for me personally, and begin thinking about new ideas as to how I am going to tackle yet another semester of learning, running a business, being a faculty member, and trying to live a family life.
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Those Last Couple Miles
What a crazy week! Up early today to write some end-of-term papers and get a start on the day. So much to do and so little time to do it. Our cohort is close to finishing our third semester, and I am starting to feel as if there is in fact a way to balance life, work, and the PhD program.
Looking at our semester (five classes), I would have to say it has not been an easy ride. I have been reminded that the PhD is not a degree that will be easy. The rigorous standards are the journey that you are encouraged to embrace and enjoy. The challenges that I have faced this semester have helped prod me along to my dissertation topic in virtual leadership. Understanding that it takes some time to all fall into place, I am feeling better now about moving forward with this topic. Looking around me, I am starting to see the importance of this research and its “timing” on what is going on in society and our global community.
I must remember that it is a long race and pace is important. We are almost half way done with the program! Now the focus is on the end of the semester. Those last couple miles….that will be the challenge….
-j-
Looking at our semester (five classes), I would have to say it has not been an easy ride. I have been reminded that the PhD is not a degree that will be easy. The rigorous standards are the journey that you are encouraged to embrace and enjoy. The challenges that I have faced this semester have helped prod me along to my dissertation topic in virtual leadership. Understanding that it takes some time to all fall into place, I am feeling better now about moving forward with this topic. Looking around me, I am starting to see the importance of this research and its “timing” on what is going on in society and our global community.
I must remember that it is a long race and pace is important. We are almost half way done with the program! Now the focus is on the end of the semester. Those last couple miles….that will be the challenge….
-j-
Monday, November 12, 2007
Life of the Ph.D. Student
I have been away from the blog for a couple weeks while I get the time to take a deep breath and reflect on what a difficult semester this has been for me personally, and begin thinking about new ideas as to how I am going to tackle yet another semester of learning, running a business, being a faculty member, and trying to live a family life.
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
I am here to say it can be done. I was told that with a little flexibility and a lot of Starbucks coffee, anything is possible. I can attest that this is true.
Now just a couple more loose ends to tie up, with some classes and one class that needs a little more than just tying up. I will be 3/4th of the way done with the course work. Now if only I felt 100% sure of my dissertation topic.
Hopefully this time away will give me some of the fire back. Based on experience, I know that it will. It is like finishing a marathon; when you are done, you are not surprised since you knew that you had it in you, but you really feel more tired than excited about being finished.
Now it is time to get in line at the starting gate for the next five months of running… I hope to improve my time. The fact really is, at the end of the day, I will just be happy to get done and try to enjoy the run.
-j-
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Back to Reality
I am back in Rochester after a great trip to Vancouver for the International Leadership Conference.
It was a time to really reflect on the Ph.D. program and my dissertation topic of virtual leadership. I am very excited to say that there was the opportunity to meet with many different professionals and scholars who all have a similar interest in virtual leadership, and we were given the forum to really explore this area that has little history. I was even more excited to meet up with some other Ph.D. students from other institutions who I can now correspond with on the topic. This is exciting for me.
What really made the trip special was the dinner that we had on Friday night.
As a large group of 11, we were able to enjoy great conversation regarding UI&U. It was great to get to have conversations with my fellow learners, professors, administration, dean, and president all at the same table. This is what makes UI&U special for me.
I have circled the calendar for next year’s convention in Los Angeles.
-j-
It was a time to really reflect on the Ph.D. program and my dissertation topic of virtual leadership. I am very excited to say that there was the opportunity to meet with many different professionals and scholars who all have a similar interest in virtual leadership, and we were given the forum to really explore this area that has little history. I was even more excited to meet up with some other Ph.D. students from other institutions who I can now correspond with on the topic. This is exciting for me.
What really made the trip special was the dinner that we had on Friday night.
As a large group of 11, we were able to enjoy great conversation regarding UI&U. It was great to get to have conversations with my fellow learners, professors, administration, dean, and president all at the same table. This is what makes UI&U special for me.
I have circled the calendar for next year’s convention in Los Angeles.
-j-
Friday, November 2, 2007
Guest Blogger II
I am including a posting from my colleague Rupert Loyd. We have shared some great experiences up here in Vancouver at the ILC. Enjoy the post!
-j-
Rupert Loyd writes:
Opennness…it’s about openness. I’m here at the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver, and it is great and tiring and exciting and stretching and…well, you get the idea. This is different from other academic conferences I’ve attended. No “stuffiness” allowed here. People are real and open. I met Peter Northouse, the author of one of our leadership textbooks. He’s as down to earth as you could want and seemed as interested in me as I was in him. Open.
Last night was a reception for new learners, and we had UI&U faculty and one of our deans and the president of Union there. Not a stiff and formal exhange of pleasantries and policies and information, but real communication with prospective learners. Then out to a delightful dinner at a local sports bistro with faculty and administration that kept us up way past our bedtime. Lots of laughter, stimulating conversation, and some great opportunities to be with good people. Openness. I love it.
-j-
Rupert Loyd writes:
Opennness…it’s about openness. I’m here at the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver, and it is great and tiring and exciting and stretching and…well, you get the idea. This is different from other academic conferences I’ve attended. No “stuffiness” allowed here. People are real and open. I met Peter Northouse, the author of one of our leadership textbooks. He’s as down to earth as you could want and seemed as interested in me as I was in him. Open.
Last night was a reception for new learners, and we had UI&U faculty and one of our deans and the president of Union there. Not a stiff and formal exhange of pleasantries and policies and information, but real communication with prospective learners. Then out to a delightful dinner at a local sports bistro with faculty and administration that kept us up way past our bedtime. Lots of laughter, stimulating conversation, and some great opportunities to be with good people. Openness. I love it.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Update from the ILC
I have turned over the writing to the guest bloggers of the day. This is something that I will continue to do not only throughout the ILC but also during future events and residencies. I am looking forward to sharing both my experiences and the experiences of those I work and learn with. Let the sharing begin!
Today’s post is written by two members of the Cohort Ph.D. administration–Dr. Robin Selzer and Jonathan Eskridge:
Here we sit at the exhibition table at ILC, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows over lovely downtown Vancouver. As new-timers to the conference, we’re impressed by the number of attendees (nearly 800), as well as by the coming together of researchers and educators across a variety of disciplines. The number of resources available to attendees, from books to business cards, is well worth the 5-7 hour flight from the east coast. We’re excited about tonight’s information session on the Cohort Ph.d program to hear about how our learners’ lives have been transformed by a program we’re so proud to be a part of.
Today’s post is written by two members of the Cohort Ph.D. administration–Dr. Robin Selzer and Jonathan Eskridge:
Here we sit at the exhibition table at ILC, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows over lovely downtown Vancouver. As new-timers to the conference, we’re impressed by the number of attendees (nearly 800), as well as by the coming together of researchers and educators across a variety of disciplines. The number of resources available to attendees, from books to business cards, is well worth the 5-7 hour flight from the east coast. We’re excited about tonight’s information session on the Cohort Ph.d program to hear about how our learners’ lives have been transformed by a program we’re so proud to be a part of.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
International Leadership Association Conference
Today begins the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver. I will be boarding a plane in a couple hours to head west for the great event. My leadership cohort colleague Rupert Loyd and I are getting excited about spending time with the great leaders of the world. I have so much to learn from them…
Stay tuned–we will have a lot of coverage from this event with some “surprise bloggers”!
-j-
Stay tuned–we will have a lot of coverage from this event with some “surprise bloggers”!
-j-
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Great Toledo Convention
I reflect back several weeks to a great event in my doctoral learning process.
It took place in Toledo, Ohio. Based on my leadership cohort being located in various parts of the northeast, we decided Toledo was central, and Rupert Loyd and his lovely wife opened their home to our group for the weekend.
The topic was “Chapter Three” of a book titled Practicing Leadership, written by our professor, Dr. Art Shriberg. For a group project, we decided to re-write parts of the chapter for the re-release of a new edition. Although so much of what we do or can do collaboratively can be done remotely, being together physically was essential to getting the job done. After spending the entire day together on Saturday, we defined what would turn out as a great revision to an already great book.
Sunday was a day on learning, too. Although we didn’t open the laptops, we had a just as enriching experience hosted by Rev. Rupert Loyd at his church, Mayfair-Plymouth Church. We worshiped with the congregation, and the topic for the day’s sermon was racism and how it faces our society today. Rev Charles Montgomery proved that he can indeed speak 17 languages, and we learned that the Rev. Rupert Loyd could give Sinatra a run for his money. All joking aside, these two men, my colleagues and friends, put on what I might consider the most powerful discussion about leadership and racism I have ever heard. Thunderous applause was the result of their sermons; I still have goosebumps thinking about it.
Also in attendance at the service were Dr. Larry Preston and Dr. Art Shriberg. Their commitment to our group and the program is unparallel from any college or university I have ever attended. Showing their support means more to our cohort than they will ever know. Following a great lunch gathering, the group separated again to our respective cities in the northeast. Spending time together with the people that I have grown to love is truly priceless.
What an event……. Check it out here on the UI&U site
-j-
It took place in Toledo, Ohio. Based on my leadership cohort being located in various parts of the northeast, we decided Toledo was central, and Rupert Loyd and his lovely wife opened their home to our group for the weekend.
The topic was “Chapter Three” of a book titled Practicing Leadership, written by our professor, Dr. Art Shriberg. For a group project, we decided to re-write parts of the chapter for the re-release of a new edition. Although so much of what we do or can do collaboratively can be done remotely, being together physically was essential to getting the job done. After spending the entire day together on Saturday, we defined what would turn out as a great revision to an already great book.
Sunday was a day on learning, too. Although we didn’t open the laptops, we had a just as enriching experience hosted by Rev. Rupert Loyd at his church, Mayfair-Plymouth Church. We worshiped with the congregation, and the topic for the day’s sermon was racism and how it faces our society today. Rev Charles Montgomery proved that he can indeed speak 17 languages, and we learned that the Rev. Rupert Loyd could give Sinatra a run for his money. All joking aside, these two men, my colleagues and friends, put on what I might consider the most powerful discussion about leadership and racism I have ever heard. Thunderous applause was the result of their sermons; I still have goosebumps thinking about it.
Also in attendance at the service were Dr. Larry Preston and Dr. Art Shriberg. Their commitment to our group and the program is unparallel from any college or university I have ever attended. Showing their support means more to our cohort than they will ever know. Following a great lunch gathering, the group separated again to our respective cities in the northeast. Spending time together with the people that I have grown to love is truly priceless.
What an event……. Check it out here on the UI&U site
-j-
Friday, October 12, 2007
Here We Go
Today is Friday…
I must start by saying how excited I am to be posting on the UI&U website. Being a blogger in another forum, I am a big believer in sharing experiences and ideas freely. I felt that the concept of blogging was such a natural fit in expressing my experiences and transformation that are a direct result of my learning at UI&U. Many thanks go out to all those that have worked hard behind the scenes to make this a reality. In addition I must publicly thank Dr. Larry Preston and Dr. Robin Selzer for seeing the importance in this form of communication. We are pioneers in our journey, and I consider you esteemed colleagues and, most importantly, friends.
Now back to the business of writing….
Looking back at my short year and a half at Union, I have been faced with many challenges as a learner. Being a husband, father of two young girls, business owner, college professor, and part-time social entrepreneur, I have been challenged with fitting doctoral-level learning into my daily routine. Making adjustments to my daily life has been a challenge that has been self-rewarding by giving me the ability to work with the most talented people that I have ever come into contact with. I have grown in so many ways and come so far in such little time. Wow, we are almost halfway done already!
Over the course of the remainder of 2007, I have so much to discuss. I will be attending the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver, Canada next week with other UI&U faculty, administration, and learners. I just returned from a weekend of learning hosted by Rev. Rupert Loyd in Toledo, Ohio and have several other learning experiences that will be rounding out the year. The real excitement begins on January 4, 2008, as we begin our 4th residency in Downtown Cincinnati at the Garfield Suites.
I really look forward to the next year and a half of learning with my readers, fellow learners, and professors.
Let the fun continue…
-j-
I must start by saying how excited I am to be posting on the UI&U website. Being a blogger in another forum, I am a big believer in sharing experiences and ideas freely. I felt that the concept of blogging was such a natural fit in expressing my experiences and transformation that are a direct result of my learning at UI&U. Many thanks go out to all those that have worked hard behind the scenes to make this a reality. In addition I must publicly thank Dr. Larry Preston and Dr. Robin Selzer for seeing the importance in this form of communication. We are pioneers in our journey, and I consider you esteemed colleagues and, most importantly, friends.
Now back to the business of writing….
Looking back at my short year and a half at Union, I have been faced with many challenges as a learner. Being a husband, father of two young girls, business owner, college professor, and part-time social entrepreneur, I have been challenged with fitting doctoral-level learning into my daily routine. Making adjustments to my daily life has been a challenge that has been self-rewarding by giving me the ability to work with the most talented people that I have ever come into contact with. I have grown in so many ways and come so far in such little time. Wow, we are almost halfway done already!
Over the course of the remainder of 2007, I have so much to discuss. I will be attending the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver, Canada next week with other UI&U faculty, administration, and learners. I just returned from a weekend of learning hosted by Rev. Rupert Loyd in Toledo, Ohio and have several other learning experiences that will be rounding out the year. The real excitement begins on January 4, 2008, as we begin our 4th residency in Downtown Cincinnati at the Garfield Suites.
I really look forward to the next year and a half of learning with my readers, fellow learners, and professors.
Let the fun continue…
-j-
Saturday, August 11, 2007
About Jeffrey!
Jeffrey is a second-year learner at Union Institute & University. Studying in the concentration of Ethical Leadership, he has studied the topics of creativity and entrepreneurship within his concentration. Minoring in the humanities, Jeffrey is relearning the classics, looking at the creative aspects of the field and its relationship to our society today. Although he considers himself a social entrepreneur, he has moved away from his comfort zone and chose the topic of virtual leadership as a dissertation topic. In addition, he is passionate about the concept of co-working and its effects on individuals and entrepreneurs.
In addition to being a full-time doctoral learner at UI&U, Jeffrey is a entrepreneur, educator,thinker, and creator. He is passionate and driven by new ideas and creating.
As a entrepreneur, Jeffrey has created companies and built foundations that have changed the world we live in. He owns two succesful businesses in the New York area and is a university professor, a consultant, and a writer.
His passion for learning is contagious. He focuses his energy on learning from and meeting people who share the same interests and passion. He is determined to make the world a place where people can create and share ideas and information with each other freely.
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