SOAR Member Profiles

Connor Prim

• SOAR Position: Member; Peer Mentor (2024-2025)
• Major: Music Education
• Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Michael Arndt and Dr. Leslie Trail

Current Focus: Changing Culture Through Constituencies: How to Effectively Advocate for Music Education on the Local Level

Project Description

My goal for this project is to explore the most effective political techniques for creating change in the local community. It is my belief, and I hope that upon further review the research will support the hypothesis, that large political change is best generated by change on many local levels that migrate upward. I want this project to empower musicians, educators, parents, and community members to effectively advocate for school music programs with their neighbors, school administrators, and local school boards.

Why does this topic interest you?

As a future music educator, I strongly believe in the inherit value of arts education, and in this case, music education. I have seen in my own life and in the lives of many students the impact that music education can have, and I hate to see it so degraded in modern political discourse. If we desire change, it is our responsibility as the next generation of constituents and community leaders to effect that change through discussions in the public square and the formation personal relationships with neighbors and local leaders.

What are your professional aspirations?

I plan on teaching in the public schools for a few years before continuing my education in the pursuit of an academic position in higher education as a professor and researcher in curriculum design or instructional best practice.

Do you have any advice for future researchers?

You can do this! Research is intimidating at first, but we all go through that. The only way forward is to push through and believe in your ability to do hard things and seek guidance from everyone you can. With perseverance and sound counsel, the sky is the limit!

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