S01E20 – Finding One’s Song in the Cacophony of Life, Navigating the Challenges of a Disability When Seeking Life’s Dream of Becoming a Music Professor.

Summary: This week’s episode of the Unlikely Academics explores the themes of living with a disability in graduate school and thriving in graduate programs of music. Tommy Coleman and Chris Silver interview Mr. Ash Glenn Doctoral Candidate at University of Southern Mississippi (USM) related to his experience both as a graduate student with a disability as well as his experience as a graduate student of music. Mr. Glenn discusses the challenges he experienced upon losing one of his legs due to a medical condition and the subsequent daily challenges he experienced navigating his graduate curriculum and campus in taking and teaching classes. He discusses finding ADA accessible class spaces, accessing his office, finding ADA accessible restrooms, and other topics facing students with a disability. He also discussed how his mother and others have served as a role model for fighting for ADA rights on his campus. Midway through the podcast, The Unlikely Academics shift themes to Mr. Glenn’s experiences with pursuing a graduate degree in music and the types of things to consider when picking programs. This includes pursuing a degree in conducting to shifting to music educators graduate degree. He also reflects on advice he received regarding the challenges of being a person with ADA condition and continuing in a conducting program given most conductors stand by directing. He describes the process he went through in considering graduate programs of music and the kinds of sacrifices made by others in pursuing music graduate degrees. He concludes with offering messages of support for others but suggests the importance of doing reconnaissance before applying to programs. Dr. Holcombe was absent due to vacation. Mr. Glenn serves on the American with Disabilities Act -- Disability Accommodations Committee while at USM. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Music from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Masters in Conducting from American Band College and is a Doctoral Candidate at Southern Mississippi in Music education with a minor in conducting. His dissertation is on the transition and transaction experiences of community college students seeking a Bachelors Degree in music education.