It's Just a Little...Update

It's been awhile...I figured, since I can't sleep, I'd reflect and share what's been going on with myself, The Student for Life, and life in general. I will say these are scary times we are currently living in BUT I have been practicing on being super intentional and focusing on the positive, while being realistic.

Okay, so life has been crazy overall, but challenging, exciting, and everything in between. I say that because I've been thrown some "curve balls" that could get anyone down, while having amazing experiences with people I love. Work-wise, between the community college and the university, I feel like I have a neverending to-do list for my students, their experience, my experience, and reviewing wins and areas of opportunity to improve. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and the courses I teach, but with everything else, there are significant challenges. For example, I do teach summer courses that range from 6 to 8 weeks, and the information does feel rushed, and I take that personally. So, I always ask my students to answer the survey, share what worked, where there could be some improvement, etc. Also, being able to bring in high school and college friends who are professionals in psychology has been amazing for a variety of reasons. But just exposing my students to what else is out there that's psychology-related, how psychology can be applicable to so many settings, and them getting to know a little bit more about me on a personal level has been a great experience. Outside of having a nightmare boss at one institution, I attended my first ever commencement ceremony as faculty and was able to wear my $600+ doctoral regalia! Even though it rained off and on, being there in person, networking, celebrating this major accomplishment, was completely worth it.

Let's see, scholar-practitioner related...okay, a lot of research presentations lately! Between presenting research for faculty, leadership, staff, and others in my field of interest, I've been having so much fun. For one role, I presented at our virtual faculty research conference, and I focused on the intersectionality of Black women in predominantly White academic institutions. When I presented, I wasn't sure who would show up to it, let me just say my previous team, literally all of them, showed up to support me, and I appreciate them so much for that. What I didn't expect was to see how many Black and Brown women (and men) in leadership that showed up. When they stated how my research made them feel seen finally, it's indescribable to express that feeling when you see the overlap in the shared experiences. Now, that presentation was designed to have more of a conversation, fast foward to October 2024 in Los Angeles, my presentation was research-focused and also set the foundation for the remaining two presenters that would build off my research topic. What was interesting is all three of our research presentations found a consistent theme, Black women in leadership not supporting their Black women employees. But let's save that for a different day because I have so much to say about that. But fast forward again to maybe March or April, I was accepted to be a research proposal reviewer for the American Psychological Association's [APA] Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues [SPSSI] also known as Division 9. Not only that, but my research proposal was accepted to present at the 2025 APA Convention in Denver. I have never presented on such a large stage or platform before about my research, but I'm nervous, excited, all the good emotions.

On the personal part, we just came back from The Atlantis in the Bahamas, and when I say, it was amazing, I truly mean that. From our hotel room, all the marine wildlife around us, THE FOOD, the ocean, and, of course, the dolphin encounter, everything was...perfect. For those who may not know, I wanted to go in to marine biology and marine geosciences, however, life had other plans, but I learned to scuba dive and got to interact with Hurricane Katrina rescued dolphins. Echo, Cosmo, Atlas, Hercules, please know I miss you all so much, especially you Echo (he kept moving me around and bumped me out the way). But it was a great time, the only time I had where I didn't have to work at least one job while on vacation. Honestly, I'm blessed that I was able to provide my boyfriend an unforgettable trip to celebrate him, a milestone birthday, graduating with a master's degree, and starting a new position (literally back to back to back).

So that's what's been going on with me, but please note, I'm planning on bringing the podcast back after encouragement from a close friend. Also, new resources, materials, almost anything and everything you need as we continue to learn and enhance our knowledge regardless of academic and professional background.

Let me know in the comments or on Instagram, what podcast topics, materials, resources, etc. would you like to see?

Candace