Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Spring 2026 15 SAI Philanries, Inc. my research was the driving force that kept me going during the difficult times. At the same time, I had to prepare for the qualifying exams—a grueling process of recall, synthesis, and critical analysis. Balancing study time, dissertation writing, and working a full-time job was difficult, but I found a balance between each that fed off one another that helped me through the most challenging time of my life. My research helped clarify my exam responses, while studying reinforced the foundations that grounded my dissertation. My daily work provided me with a break from research responsibilities, giving me the much- needed down time from the intellectual grind that my body needed. Somewhere in the middle of the semester, the fog began to lift. Among all the edits, a draft finally came together, and practice exam questions started to feel less intimidating. I prepared my defense slides and script in preparation for the exam that was several months away. These small victories gave me momentum as I crawled closer to the final defense date. These victories reminded me of a quote made by many people along the Ph.D. journey: "A good dissertation is a done dissertation." This reminded me that persistence matters more than perfection. The defense day arrived with a mixture of nerves and excitement. Presenting my work to the committee felt surreal—equal parts rigorous interrogation and affirming dialogue. The qualifying exams tested not only my knowledge, but also my ability to think as a scholar. When it was all over and I heard the words "Congratulations, Dr. Lewis," the relief was indescribable. A weight had been lifted; chains released off my ankles; I was freed of non-ending edits. I remember screaming over the phone to my friend as I released this experience into the atmosphere. I did it! Now what? In the days that followed, exhaustion set in, but so did gratitude. Finishing this process reshaped how I see myself—not just as a student of music education, but as a contributor to the field. The Ph.D. was never about a title alone; it was about growing into the kind of educator and researcher who can make a meaningful impact on music education. Soon after I completed this arduous journey, I accepted a position as the high school and middle school band director in the same community where I was finishing up my Ph.D. I have accepted leadership roles for music education where I teach, and have been writing numerous grants to help build both band programs into something the community can be proud of. While most of my time is spent teaching, I am finding solace in giving back to the community I serve. My advice to others stepping into this stage of their education is: • Trust the process, even when it feels messy. • Lean on your support systems. • Celebrate small victories. • Remember why you started. Completing my dissertation and exams was not just an academic milestone—it was a transformation. The journey was exhausting, yes, but it was also clarifying and deeply affirming. As I move forward, I carry with me not only the lessons of research and scholarship but also the resilience, perspective, and purpose this experience gave me. Dr. K. Michelle Lewis is a member of the Louisville Alumnae Chapter and a recipient of the Professional Development/Education Grant through SAI Philanthropies, Inc. She is Director of Bands at Belfry Area Schools in Belfry, KY. D o n o r C i r c l e s Donor Circles is a prestigious living donor recognition program presented by Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. It honors the dedication of individuals who have made significant contributions to advance the mission of our fraternity's charity, consisting of four distinct recognition levels: These circles represent not only the depth of gratitude we hold for our donors but also the profound impact their contributions have on influential musical endeavors on our campuses, in our communities, and around the world. CIRCLE OF PEARLS $5,000 – $9,999 CIRCLE OF RUBIES $10,000 – $24,999 CIRCLE OF DIAMONDS $25,000 – $49,999 CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE $50,000 and above

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