I would like to express sincere appreciation to my dissertation advisor and chair, Dr. Sharon Warren, for her continuous guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this dissertation process. Dr. Warren is helping me to realize my dream by transforming me from an ABD student to a completed research scholar. I'd also like to thank Dr. Pointer Mace and Dr. Thor Stolen for their generosity and assistance with this endeavor.
I would like to acknowledge my Iota Cohort colleagues at Alverno College, who are all instrumental in providing feedback and motivation along the way. A special thanks go out to Dorothea, Kelly, Wynona, Jamie, Lois, and Angela for their personal phone calls, messages, exemplars, and motivation along this journey. You have personally made a difference for me, and I truly appreciate you.
"You guys will survive. It is because of your continued prayers for me that I am surviving this journey and headed towards my goal of personal mastery."
I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to my husband, Alfred Montgomery, who has been my biggest cheerleader throughout this process. You continuously remind me that I can do this. Thanks for the new computer and for putting up with my many papers all over the house. I'd also like to express thanks to my doggie baby, Trixie, who tried to be patient with me as she received less time, attention, and walks than she was accustomed to.
This dissertation journey is dedicated to my mother and my father, Bobbie and Howard McBride, who were my biggest cheerleaders and supporters before they passed. This is one goal they wanted me to achieve, and it is part of my rationale for doing this after retirement. Last, thanks to my family and friends who don't understand why I am no longer the life of the party.