SWOSU Digital Commons

•  
•  

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2: OCTOBER 2011

Introduction

Throughout my 27-year teaching career, I have encountered many opportunities that have challenged me to reach toward a higher standard. You know what I’m talking about—those possibilities that make you pause and wonder whether you are capable of achieving them. The Administrative Issues Journal and conference presented that kind of opportunity.

In September 2009, Dr. Tami Moser and I were on our way home from a conference at Fort Hays State University where we had presented a new research project. After a packed three-day conference schedule, I was content to relax and let my mind unwind, but Dr. Moser’s mind was energetically engaged in thinking about the future. She proposed that we publish an academic journal and host a conference at SWOSU. Dr. Moser is much more research-driven than I am, so I simply listened to her and admired her enthusiasm, but as her dream took on more structure, instinct told me she was going to make this dream a reality.

I was right.

Although I was resistant at first, I warmed up to the challenge as the planning began over the next few weeks. We began putting together the editorial team and soon the journal became a reality. In spring 2011, our first issue was published, and now, in fall 2011, our second issue is being published, and we are welcoming scholarly presenters to our inaugural conference.

Dale Carnegie said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” This has certainly been the case in the development of the AIJ. It has been a lot of work, but I have frequently described the entire process as the most enjoyable, productive thing I’ve done in my academic career. The five editors and two graduate students who have worked together toward the publication of the journal and the production of the conference make a great team. Together, we have already realized some of the benefits of reaching toward our goal to create opportunities for our campus, our colleagues, and ourselves, and we chose our inaugural conference theme, Creating Opportunities, based on that positive experience. It is my hope, as I continue along this educational path, that I will continue to encourage my students and colleagues to create opportunities and have fun along the way.

Patsy Parker
Managing Editor