Reframing, Refining, and Rising: A Week of Organizational Insight and Academic Momentum

This past week has been a whirlwind of clarity, creativity, and strategic refinement. As I continue to deepen my work in organizational learning and systems thinking, I’ve had the opportunity to synthesize academic insights with real-world applications—especially through the lens of Bolman & Deal’s multi-frame model.

One of the major milestones was completing and expanding Chapter Three: Research Methodology for my dissertation. What began as a structured outline evolved into a full-length, APA 7–compliant document that now spans 9–10 pages of rich, narrative-driven content. The chapter integrates descriptive qualitative design, narrative inquiry, and a multi-source data collection strategy that includes interviews, digital storytelling artifacts, and field notes. It’s a testament to how rigorous methodology can still honor the symbolic and human dimensions of research.

I also finalized my response paper for RSH 750, applying both the structural and human resource frames to analyze equity in professional development at ATLAS, the organization I lead at the University of Kansas. By reframing internal challenges—such as uneven access to mentorship and advancement—I proposed actionable solutions that blend modular planning with inclusive rituals. It was a powerful exercise in seeing my own workplace through a multi-frame lens and imagining what transformation could look like from the inside out.

On the collaborative front, I engaged with peers like Madison, Amy, Christina, Chad, Ashley, and Taylor—each offering thoughtful reflections on qualitative research, coding strategies, and leadership growth. These exchanges reminded me that learning is not just about absorbing content, but about co-creating meaning. Whether it was discussing the nuances of in vivo coding or the emotional resonance of online interviews, each conversation added depth to my understanding and affirmed the value of human-centered inquiry.

Finally, I reviewed and interpreted the ATLAS organizational chart, mapping its layered structure across technology, research, test development, and implementation. Using Bolman & Deal’s frames, I explored how structural complexity can be balanced with relational care to promote systemwide effectiveness.

This week has been a reminder that transformation is both a technical and symbolic act. Whether drafting methodology, reframing equity, or decoding transcripts, I’m learning to lead with clarity, empathy, and narrative insight.

Onward.