Happy New Year! 

I find myself circling back to my blog (FINALLY) after taking the long 3 year break humanity is calling the pandemic. 2020-2023 was transformative in many ways, and I am thankful that I prioritized family and personal growth during that time when so many of us felt alone and isolated. 

As I find myself dusting off the webpages, blogs, and research notes of "the before times," I am looking forward to the possibilities that 2024 may hold. So far on my radar is a re-release of my book, Dr. Widow (which as an update from my last post here DID in fact get written in 2020). I am building a white paper with a colleague about equitable pay in the arts. Moreover, I will be launching a taiko school (traditional Japanese drumming) later this fall. 

The lessons I have learned these past few years are those of perseverance, optimism, and hope. I truly do hope the I learn something new everyday and that what I learn can be taught to others. How is your year so far? 

So, in addition to being an aspiring academic, I have always dreamed of becoming an author.  A publisher reached out to me and asked if I would write a self-help book based on my experience surviving a doctoral program while going through losing my husband.  The publisher found me through posts I had made in a support group for young widows. 

As I type this journal entry, I am wrapping up the final chapters of the book with publication early next year.  It is amazing how opportunities like this present themselves when you keep an open mind.  More to come on this exciting and rather personal project!

It is always a joy when one's personal and professional life aligns.  In my case, I have become a certified trauma support specialist.  This training is the continuation of work I used to do for the Arizona foster care system.  As a former foster mom and current advocate of children and early childhood learning, this training has platformed me into consulting for the local school districts.  My training series, Trauma-Informed Classroom Management, provides introductory knowledge about trauma-informed care, its impact on young children, and tools in the classroom to help address the challenges of trauma related behavior.  I look forward to partnering with the leadership in schools to conduct action research based on these innovative techniques and best practices.

It was a year ago today that I received both my degree in the mail AND acceptance to my research fellowship.  I also found out that I was going to be in charge of two other researchers - an opportunity I had not even considered for myself.  As I look back on everything that I had learned about my research this past year, I must also acknowledge the many non-research things I learned as well.  Leading brilliant people is such a rewarding experience, especially when everyone is mutually eager to learn from one another.  Expecting the unexpected has become my new mantra in higher education.  Not only were the results of our study different from my initial hypotheses, but I experienced losing a member of my research team.

Dr. Diana Hart was an amazing scholar and wonderful friend. Her early work on the experiences of doctoral students fueled the creation of our fellowship study.  She also was an alumni who took me under her wing in my final year of my program.  I was humbled to be placed in a leadership position on Dr. Hart's team, and I was honored to be part of her final research project.  She will be credited posthumously with a trade article, an academic article, and a scholarly presentation.  

My other research partner, Dr. Wendy Aoki, was incredibly resilient and adaptable in light of the unique challenges of this past year.  Her dedication to our research was admirable; her ability to engage with fellow researchers even moreso.  I look forward to presenting our findings together at conference in January of 2020.

Needless to say, the supports of my supervisor and the research faculty was tantamount to pulling off a successful and productive research year.  I look forward to moving into 2020 with new ideas, new projects, and new professional growth.

I am very excited to announce that I have expanded my products and services to include copyediting and dissertation coaching.  Having helped numerous classmates and students design and publish their work, it was about time that I made it official.  I will presenting some best practices for publishing to the University of Phoenix faculty and doctoral students thus Spring.  Contact me for a free consultation and needs assessment!

May has been a busy month, but it has also been filled with great news on the publication front.  Specifically, a proposal I have written has been accepted as a book chapter for a new edition in IGI Global's trends in higher education series.  It will focus on Baby Boomers/non-traditional aged students returning to school in lieu of retiring.  Exciting stuff!

I also just found out that an article I wrote has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Social Research Methodology!  It is an innovative approach I have used on traditional interpretive phenomenological design.  I am greatly humbled that they considered the article, and the fact that they are publishing it has put me over the moon.

​There are still a few more porjects in the works (as always) - stay geeky everyone and have a great week!

Below is a lovely post describing a Webinar I will be conducting on behalf of the University of Phoenix...


‎Sandy Nunn DM‎ to University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies
Yesterday at 12:32 AMOn Monday, April 29, 2019 at 4pm Arizona time, the Alumni Special Interest Group will be featuring Dr. Kristina McGaha as their next Webinar speaker.
Kristina McGaha has been an alumni member of the University of Phoenix twice over – first in 2009 when she completed her MBA and more recently in 2018 when she received Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership. She has spent over fifteen years performing business analytics, operations management, and leading teams to success. Kristina has also been a corporate trainer, speaker, and teacher. She has presented and published her research about Generation Z both nationally and internationally. Having worked on two continents, she enjoys traveling as well as infusing global perspectives into her research. She currently serves University of Phoenix as an alumni research fellow and serves her community as a Policy Council member for the local school district. Additionally, she mentors small business owners and other Phoenix doctoral students.
Dr. McGaha will briefly describe her experiences along the doctoral journey and how they have served to advance herself personally and in her career. Specifically, Dr. McGaha will discuss the collateral benefits of a doctoral degree – the stuff not printed on the little piece of paper. She will also share examples of how her newfound know-how has benefitted her work and her community.
To join the webinar, please click on the link below:
https://shindig.com/login/event/alumnichat

After a five year journey, I get to walk in my commencement today!  I am so thrilled to meet faculty and peers in celebration of our dedication and hard work.  Best of luck to everyone in their future pursuits!

As the first blog entry of the new year, let me say that I am thrilled for what lies ahead.  

My besties, Generation Z, are gaining momentum both in academic research and as a hot topic for organizational strategists.  I am also beginning to see incremental progress on all of my writing projects - including final decisions being made with two of my articles (fingers crossed).  

With all of the motivation and good vibes I received during the holiday season, I hope to share it with everyone who find themselves pursuing knowledge and advancement of any kind.