My name is Brandon McLendon and I'm a Texas native living in Washington.
I'm an officer in the United States Air Force completing my graduate degree in Administrative Leadership at Angelo State University. I am planning to continue with the Air Force and will be utilizing everything I've learned from my graduate courses within my career field.
Graduate Coursework Portfolio
Coursework from graduate course EDEA 6301 - Reframing Administration
The purpose of this assignment was to help me better assess, analyze, and evaluate the culture within my organization. By completing this assignment, I gained valuable lessons on what I should be looking for regarding culture and how I can use the information that I gained to try to guide the culture in a different direction or continue to build on the culture within the organization if it was healthy.
Coursework from graduate course EDEA 6302 - Leadership Theories
Contemporary Leadership Theories.pptxThis assignment helped me delve into the four contemporary leadership theories and how they fit into an organization. I gained a deep understanding of each theory and how the different theories tied into an organization. Knowing each of the theories helps to evaluate leaders within an organization and find where changes need to be made based on the theory that most aligns with each leader.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6301 - Social and Cultural Influences
EDG 6301 Presentation.pptxThis course was very eye opening to me and helped me gain a better understanding on how less fortunate individuals/families can struggle to gain an education. When a family is struggling to put food on the table it can be less important for the focus to be on education. Understanding how homelessness and education tie together helped me realize that there is often more going on in people's lives than meets the eye.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6302 - Data Collection, Analysis, and Application
Data Analysis Writing Results Paper.pdfThis paper was the culmination of all the research I did including both quantitative and qualitative results. This assignment taught me how to do a survey, interpret the data from that survey, and use the data to find trends and anomalies. I also learned how to use Microsoft Excel in ways that I did not know was possible which ultimately helped me learn a skill that I could use going forward in my career.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6305 - Legal and Ethical Principles
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Military Operations Ethical Guide.pdfThis assignment taught me multiple lessons including how to research laws, how legal issues can intertwine with ethical issues, and how to create a guide with the information that I learned. This assignment was challenging and made me much smarter on the different levels of the law. I learned that it is sometimes more difficult to implement technologies or strategies within an organization because there are laws in place that put a limit on how those ideas can be used.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6311 - Organizational Supervision
United States Air Force GS Hiring Timeline.pptxThis assignment was focused on the hiring process and timeline involved within the United States Air Force for civilian employees. As an officer I will be responsible for dealing with this in the future and I had no idea how much was involved when it came to hiring civilian employees to work in the Air Force. This taught me a great deal on the requirements and every step along the way to ensure that an employee is vetted and qualified to work for an organization that I lead in the future.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6340 - Structure and Organization
Structure and Organization Political Frame Graphic Organizer McLendon.docxThe graphic organizer that I created for this course helped me compartmentalize the different ideas regarding the political framework of my organization. Understanding the different segments of the organization helped me become more knowledgeable about how different things such as resistance, initiative, the political terrain, and influence drive how my organization operates. Understanding all of this helped me be more aware of areas of my organization that need more focus or direction applied to them.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6342 - Strategic Planning and Fiscal Management
Funding, Strategic Planning, Budget Process McLendon.pptxBefore taking this course, I had a minimal understanding of how organizations are funded and the different ways the budget is structed. The Air Force is such a large organization so gaining a better understanding of how plans are set and then funded helped me realize where I should be focusing my attention within my organization to ensure that I am set up in the most successful way to get the equipment and tools needed for my Airmen to succeed with the mission that we are set out to do.
Coursework from graduate course EDG 6343 - Organizational Relationships
Principal Interview Synopsis.docxOne of the most challenging aspects of the entire Administrative Leadership program was having to interview someone in-person. I had never interviewed someone in a professional setting before, so I was very nervous to go sit with the principal of Michael Anderson Elementary at my base to try to get information from her. I had to prepare questions and ensure that I asked the right questions to get the information that I needed because I would not be able to come back later. Interviewing her taught me that even having interview questions does not mean you are prepared because once you ask a question it could lead to more questions about certain topics. This was one of the most beneficial assignments for me because it forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to be a better interviewer for the future.
