Navigate Change with Confidence Through Coaching

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Higher education is in a period of rapid transformation. Faculty, administrators, and leaders are balancing evolving expectations, institutional challenges, and increasing pressure to adapt. Many feel uncertain about the future, isolated in their roles, or overwhelmed by the pace of change.

To lead effectively in this environment, today’s higher ed leaders must be strategic yet agile, confident yet open, resilient yet empathetic. Coaching provides a confidential, structured space to help you manage disruption, strengthen your leadership skills, and align your personal and professional goals with institutional needs.

Returning Clients

Re-Engage with a Coach for 3 Sessions

Have you engaged in coaching with Academic Impressions in the last two years? Reconnect for a 3-session refresher!

Is Coaching Right for You?

Do any of these sound familiar?

You’re a dean or senior leader responsible for setting strategy amidst institutional uncertainty.

You feel isolated and need a trusted partner to help navigate complex challenges.

You’re stepping into a new leadership role or transitioning careers and need support building confidence and impact.

You’re a faculty member balancing research, teaching, and service while adapting to changing demands.

You need support in managing change—and helping others navigate uncertainty.

Why Choose Academic Impressions Coaching?

Higher Ed-Specific

Our coaches have deep experience in academia—from tenure-track faculty to senior administration.

Personalized Support

Every coaching engagement is tailored to your unique goals and challenges.

Ongoing Growth

Returning clients can buy a three-session refresher to stay on track.

Beyond Coaching

Gain access to curated resources to complement your development.

Trusted by Higher Education Leaders

Academic Impressions coaching has helped leaders from institutions across the country build confidence, develop strategy, manage change, and navigate complex challenges.

What Our Clients Say

Real Experiences from Higher Ed Leaders

LEADERSHIP COACH TESTIMONIALS

Michael Iwama
Professor, Chief Program Strategist, Duke University 

"The context was coaching as a 'rookie' Dean through his transition from Department Chair and Professor to being Chief Academic Officer for a Health Professions Graduate School.

In this process I learned a lot about myself; how to apply my strengths and abilities effectively in the contexts of the Dean's Office, as well as respond appropriately to the challenges faced in high performance environments. I was fortunate to have had a highly experienced coach who was a previous University President, Provost, Dean and Faculty member, Peter Cimbolic. Coupled with his academic and clinical background in Psychology, I was confident that my coaching was backed by high levels of expertise and experience. The results of the coaching engagement were exemplary productivity, increased confidence in setting administrative priorities, strengthened emotional intelligence, and affirmation/learned support in successfully navigating unforeseen disruptions - such as the COVID-19 Pandemic…I had the privilege of having the best coach on the planet."

Amy Harkins
Chair and Professor, Department of Clinical Health Sciences, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University

"Nearly 8 months into a global pandemic as an academic chair of a large and complex clinical health department, I found myself as a stressed and frazzled person, having navigated the educational challenges of advancing a department and students...

...through an online pivot, clinical delays, and working around the clock every day in my home office. I was nearly at the end of my own rope, and still had to serve as the stable leader that my large and complex department required. To that end, I decided to pursue the option of hiring an objective professional coach, one who understood my role and challenges in academics to assist me to regain my own person. The coaching sessions became much more than only tools to overcome the challenges of a global pandemic. In those sessions, I set the agenda, I had homework that frequently pushed me well out of my comfort zones, and over the course of 6 months, the sessions with Jennifer taught me how to make life changing approaches to my work as well as to my day-to-day activities. I learned about myself, identified my weaknesses in order that I could manage them, and played to my strengths. Importantly, Jennifer worked with me such that I could identify my professional goals and how they are entwined with my personal goals. With her coaching, I am working towards accomplishing my goals. As a coach, Jennifer’s style led me to my own discovery, without directives, but with guidance and insightful observations. In these short 6 months, I have grown more as a professional than in any other 6 month, or even 1-2 year period, of my academic career. I would give Jennifer the highest possible recommendation as a life-changing and incredibly effective professional coach."

Stephen Ferris
Dean, Miller College of Business, Ball State University 

“The issue I needed help with focused on communicating upwards, to get my message and needs effectively conveyed to my superiors. Related to this was a discussion of techniques that are useful in trying to manage up.

I learned the importance of developing a communication plan and sharing that with my boss. I can’t claim to be an inclusive and open leader unless I can explain what I do to encourage that open communication and inclusiveness. I learned how to share my accomplishments in this area with my supervisor. Also learned how to manage disagreement and contrary views while continuing to move forward your own goals. Steve did not have a set of preassigned topics to review. Every coaching session was driven by my needs or problems. In that sense, it was totally customized and responsive to my administrative challenges. The engagement provided me with both tools and perspectives to address a wide variety of issues.

The coaching provided me with additional confidence in moving forward with addressing immediate issues as well as longer-term career planning. Steve was very effective in helping me develop framing tools from which to see the issue. Once the issue is framed, the solutions or strategies become much more obvious.”

FACULTY COACH TESTIMONIALS

Mark Katz, PhD
John P. Barker Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

"I started working with Allison DiBianca because I desperately wanted to finish writing a long overdue book. Given too many other commitments and a hands-off editor, I had a hard time making the book a priority.

I needed to find a way to fit the project into my daily routine and create a plan for completing my goal. This is where Allison came in. She was always warmly encouraging and genuinely curious about my work; she also helped me hold myself to a high standard and a productive pace. I finished the book, but just as important, I regained my enthusiasm for the project. Allison DiBianca was an ideal coach, and I am happy to recommend her."

Leah Wasburn-Moses
Professor, Educational Psychology, Miami University 

"I had spent ten years unsuccessfully trying to scale up an educational model that won national awards for youth outcomes, Campus Mentors.

With my coach’s support, I learned to think differently about my efforts, to adapt my model, when necessary, to recognize that change takes time with repeated exposure, and to network with others such as business colleagues interested in social entrepreneurship. Most of us do not take dedicated time to determine how to see through one's legacy, as a result of working with my coach, I now have a short- and long-term plan to scale up my model."

Renee Jourdenais
Professor, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

“Many seek coaching as they step from faculty into administrative roles. In my case, I was reversing the process: after many years as a Dean, I had stepped back into the faculty.

The conversations that I had with Paula helped enormously as I thought about how I wanted to manage this next phase of my career. I definitely felt that I was suffering from a split identity (administrator/faculty) and wasn’t sure how to unify my experiences into a coherent whole. As we discussed my strengths, weaknesses, goals, and aspirations, I started to see how these all fit together to form the educational professional that I am today. Since my coaching, I’ve been able to move forward comfortably, confidently…and with much gratitude!”

Find the Right Coaching for You

We offer customized coaching solutions based on your needs—whether you're looking for individual coaching for yourself or coaching to support multiple leaders in your institution.

Get started today with a six-session coaching engagement.

Executive Coaching

For deans, provosts, and senior leaders responsible for institutional strategy and leadership.

If you are making institution-wide decisions, this is the right coaching level for you.

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Next-Level Leadership Coaching

For directors, department chairs, supervisors, and new or aspiring leaders navigating leadership transitions.

This package is not intended for senior executives. If you are a dean, provost, or campus-wide leader, Executive Coaching is the better fit.

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Faculty Coaching

For faculty members balancing research, teaching, and service.

If you are making institution-wide decisions, this is the right coaching level for you.

Learn More & Get Started

Coaching for Others

Groups, Teams, or Flexible Hours

Higher ed leaders face increasing pressures to balance priorities, guide teams, and support faculty, staff, and students. Our coaching programs help leaders and teams navigate these challenges together—whether you need a peer learning experience, structured team coaching, or flexible coaching hours for your institution.

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Group Coaching

Build Community & Learn from Peers

For individual leaders who want to join a small, facilitated coaching group for shared learning and support.

Engage in guided peer discussions to solve real-time challenges

Learn new leadership strategies from expert facilitators

Build a trusted professional network for ongoing growth

Receive access to supplementary online resources

Group coaching creates a confidential, supportive environment where leaders across institutions can learn from one another while developing actionable leadership skills.