Projects & Leadership Case Studies
Case Study 1: Strategic Organizational Leadership (Flint Association of the Deaf)
This project leverages my 100-hour Field Experience in Leadership as Chairperson to showcase Organizational Leadership and Team Mobilization skills.
Project Title: Optimizing Governance and Process Improvement at the Flint Association of the Deaf (100-Hour Field Experience)
Project Focus: Organizational Improvement, Resource Allocation, Budgeting.
Core Skills Demonstrated: Team Leadership, Strategic Communication, Change Management, Stakeholder Buy-in.
My Role: Chairperson & Project Lead.
The Challenge
The Problem: What specific organizational or logistical challenge did the Flint Association of the Deaf face (e.g., inefficient event registration process, fragmented volunteer communication, outdated advocacy methods)?
Goal: What was the measurable objective (e.g., increase event attendance by 20%, streamline communication by consolidating platforms, secure X dollars in new funding)?
My Strategic Approach
Analysis: Detail how you analyzed the current process (e.g., conducted internal surveys, reviewed past event metrics).
Solution Design: Describe the new process or organizational structure you implemented (e.g., introduced a standardized monthly meeting agenda, developed a new online volunteer onboarding system).
Inclusive Implementation: Specifically mention how you ensured all changes were accessible to the Deaf community.
Key Results & Impact
Outcome 1 (Quantitative): "Reduced volunteer onboarding time by 35% in Q2."
Outcome 2 (Qualitative/Impact): "Successfully organized the largest annual workshop in five years, expanding regional reach."
Skill Highlight: Explain how this project directly prepared you for Project Management.
Case Study 2: Inclusive Instructional Design (Michigan School for the Deaf)
Project Title: Inclusive Instructional Design: Developing a Concrete-to-Abstract Math Curriculum
Project Focus: Inclusive Curriculum Development, Visual Communication Strategy, Needs Assessment.
Core Skills Demonstrated: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, Instructional Design, Stakeholder Empathy, Program Implementation.
My Role: Instructional Designer & Field Practitioner (30-Hour Field Experience).
The Challenge
The Problem: Traditional abstract math instruction presented significant barriers for Deaf students with diverse language and literacy needs, hindering conceptual understanding of core operations.
Goal: Design and implement a multi-modal, three-stage instructional framework (Concrete, Visual, Abstract) to ensure equitable access and conceptual mastery for all students.
My Strategic Approach
Design Methodology: Developed a progressive instructional strategy: 1) Concrete: Use manipulatives (counters, blocks) for initial concept building. 2) Visual: Integrate number lines, diagrams, and visual flashcards. 3) Abstract: Apply concepts through real-world, simplified word problems (money, sharing).
Communication Strategy: Integrated American Sign Language (ASL) and visual aids seamlessly into instruction to minimize reliance on written English language proficiency.
Assessment Focus: Shifted assessment to prioritize visual demonstration of understanding through drawings and manipulative use, providing tailored feedback based on observed problem-solving strategies.
Key Results & Impact
Outcome 1: Successfully created and implemented a fully accessible instructional framework for teaching core math concepts (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division).
Outcome 2: Demonstrated expertise in adapting curriculum to meet the specific learning needs of a specialized community, resulting in increased student confidence and engagement.
Skill Highlight: Showcases the ability to translate specialized theory (Disability Studies) into functional, measurable project-based solutions, a key component of Project Management execution.Case Study 3: Academic & Analytical Depth (CMU Capstone/Future PM Prep)
Case Study 3: Academic & Analytical Depth (CMU Capstone/Future PM Prep)
Project Title: Deaf Leadership: A Strengths-Based Approach to Organizational Culture
Project Focus: Organizational Analysis, Strategic Planning, Theoretical Framework Development.
Core Skills Demonstrated: Research Design, Data Synthesis, Technical Writing, Critical Thinking.
My Role: Lead Researcher / Analyst.
The Challenge
The Problem: Traditional leadership models often overlook the unique and transferable strengths of Deaf leaders (e.g., visual communication, lived experience empathy), leading to missed opportunities for organizational innovation and inclusion.
Goal: To analyze existing leadership frameworks (like the DPN movement) and synthesize findings into a new, actionable, strengths-based model for organizational culture that promotes deaf leadership.
My Strategic Approach
Methodology: Conducted a comprehensive literature review focusing on organizational behavior, ASL communication principles, and historical leadership case studies (e.g., DPN).
Core Findings: Determined that visual communication proficiency and unique experiential empathy are critical, untapped strengths that enhance team clarity, trust, and inclusivity.
Recommendation: Proposed a framework for organizations to actively recruit, train, and leverage Deaf leaders to drive innovation and create a more equitable, strengths-based culture across all levels.
Key Results & Impact
Outcome 1: Developed a new analytical framework proving the competitive advantage of visually-centered leadership in organizational communication.
Outcome 2: Paper received a high mark in the Disability Matters Project category, demonstrating proficiency in advanced analytical and strategic writing.
Skill Highlight: Showcase your strategic thinking and ability to handle the "knowledge area" required for Project Management certification.
Call to Action: For more examples of academic work, or to request my full resume, please see the About Me page.