Click here for the MMI-14 YouTube Playlist
There are rare times when I am able to take time from my busy work and home life to purposefully work on my own professional and personal development. ACPA’s 2012 Donna Bourassa Mid-Level Management Institute is one of those rare times. These past four days 70 of my colleagues in the field and I have been challenged, supported and encouraged. “Going into its 14th year, the Donna M. Bourassa Mid-Level Management Institute is an educational program for those desiring to strengthen their skills and understand changing campus dynamics in order to advance in the profession” (http://www2.myacpa.org/career-advancement/donna-m-bourassa-mid-level-management-institute). We have spent intentional time digging below the surface level to gain clarity about who we are as human beings, managers, and active keepers of our profession.
As we entered the room to begin the day this morning, for the first time during the institute, music filled the air. The music began to do what music does, and as the variety of songs played, one by one, we began to smile, sway, snap, hum and a few of us even took to the aisle to dance a few steps.
Since I was a little girl music has been my friend. It meets me where I am and sits with me or it calls me out of one space into another. It settles me when I am dishevelved. It moves me when I am paralyzed. It coaches and reminds me that I am invincible, flexible, and that anything is possible. It helps me separate myself from what I know is not best for me and it proves to me that the one I call stranger is connected to me through like experiences and similar interests.
As our sway and hums dissolved and we turned to our work for the day, the feeling of comfort and connection lingered. It still does. I know it was more than the music but the shared stories and the investment given not only to this profession, but to traveling this journey as our best selves with authenticity.
As we leave this space we return to our colleagues and families forever changed and we share our music with you.
The 2012 MMI Playlist
submitted by members of the 14th cohort
Beautiful People – Chris Brown
I Will Follow – James Taylor
Wagon Wheel – Old Crow
On the Road to Find Out – Cat Stevens
We Found Love – Rihanna
Rolling in the Deep – Adel
Yea 3x – Chris Brown
Small Wonders – Rob Thomas
Members Only – Bobby Bland
Love on Top – Beyonce
Simple – Ledisi
Ashes and Fire – Ryan Adams
Ordinary People – John Legend
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Glory – Jay-Z
Domino – Jessie J
God Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
It’s a Perfect Day – Hoku
Ruby Blue – Roisin Murphy
Give Me Your Love – Sylvia Striplin
One More Chance – Biggie Smalls
Lights. Camera. Action. – Mr. Cheeks*
Blackout – Breathe Carolina
Everybody’s Got Their Something – Nikki Costa
Ain’t it Funny – Jennifer Lopez
Awake My Soul – Mumford and Sons
Howling for You – The Black Keys
Set Fire to the Rain – Adele
Get it Right – Mary J. Blige and Taraji P. Henson
My Redeemer Lives – Nicole C. Mullen
* – not able to find song on YouTube



