Mike is an executive coach and higher education leader with a focus in group dynamics, interpersonal communication, leadership, and second career development. Three questions inspire Mike’s work as a coach: What brings you joy? What are you good at? What does the world need you to be? Mike’s professional career has taken him in many different directions, but always with the same focus, on helping others to grow, change, and become better. As a faith community leader, spiritual director, learning coach, academic counselor, and now as an Assistant Dean for Faculty and Student Success at the MGH IHP in Boston, Mike has developed and honed deep listening skills, asking questions that both challenge and inspire, and he knows how to accompany a client on their unique journey without imposing his own agenda or needs. He is especially skilled in dealing with grief, change of career, LGBTQ+ leaders, and crisis leadership. His own work as a faculty member enables him to understand the unique challenges of faculty who may be torn between the demands of scholarship, teaching, and service, while struggling to meet home and personal concerns. Mike’s educational background includes an MDiv with coursework in counseling, philosophy, and psychology, a […]
“Working with Yvonne helped me stop performing leadership and start living it. I was finally able to quiet the doubt, realign with my values, and lead in a way that felt like me—powerful, imperfect, and effective.” I coach higher education leaders to rise with clarity, confidence, and strategy—especially in the messy middle of complex institutions. Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role, managing change across silos, or navigating the hidden curriculum of executive life, I help you lead with purpose and impact. My coaching supports: Navigating Leadership Transitions: From department chairs to cabinet-level roles, I guide leaders through the early turbulence of new positions and help them develop a leadership approach that matches institutional context and personal authenticity. Strategic Planning & Decision-Making: I help leaders at all levels—from deans to vice presidents—connect day-to-day operations with long-term institutional goals, turning strategy into action. Leading Through Change & Transformation: Whether it’s a structural reorg, a cultural shift, or a political minefield, I equip you with change management tools, emotional agility, and energy awareness to lead through uncertainty with resilience and adaptability. Enhancing Executive Presence & Communication: As a certified EQ-i/EQ 360 practitioner, I support leaders in becoming emotionally effective—deepening self-awareness, navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics, and […]
Renell brings more than 15 years of substantial executive experience, driving the communications and marketing strategies of some of the most prestigious universities in the United States by helping research institutions to advance the human condition through service, care, research, teaching and learning. Currently, she is Vice President for Communications at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Her passion for learning and service as a marketing executive has been extended to the support of community organizations that are dedicated to helping young people thrive. As a board member of many Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls Scouts of America, and Parent Teacher Associations, Renell believes these groups build young people’s character and confidence, and help to position them for successful lives. Renell received her master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University and a bachelor’s in English from Spelman College.
Dr. Nichole S. Prescott is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas System, focusing on equity in the student success continuum. She is a proud citizen of the federally recognized Miami Nation of Oklahoma, and lives in Texas with her wife, two kids, two dogs, and two cats.
As one of Academic Impressions’ account managers, Ryan brings his 8 years of account management experience at Headway Marketing to help build and maintain long-term relationships with our members. Ryan received his undergraduate education and the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and his master’s degree from Georgia State University. A recent transplant to Denver, Ryan enjoys hiking, college football, tennis, and traveling with his wife, Ashley, and two dogs, Luke and Leia.
As the inaugural chief diversity officer for her campus, Jennifer serves as a principal advisor to the chancellor and cabinet on diversity matters. She leads UAA’s efforts to transform programs, services and processes to support a vibrant campus life, a positive and respectful culture, a diverse curriculum and the meaningful inclusion of UAA’s diverse population of students, staff and faculty. Jennifer has 21 years’ experience as a post-secondary administrator and adjunct professor, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Sociology and is ABD for a PhD in Higher Education. She has facilitated dialogues about diversity and inclusion with local, regional, and national audiences including nonprofits, corporations, and government officials.
As an Operations Manager, Katie provides logistical support to ensure that our events make their way from the creators to the end users in addition to ensuring that internal processes and information are centralized. Prior to joining Academic Impressions, she was the Teacher Training Program Manager and an Instructor at CorePower Yoga. She still enjoys practicing yoga regularly in addition to going on hikes and walks, experiencing cultural events going on in the city, and traveling.
As Partner Success and Business Operations Manager, Katie helps shape and support the operational strategy behind Academic Impressions’ coaching work and supports financial operations across the organization. She partners closely with coaches and internal teams to ensure coaching programs run smoothly, scale effectively, and deliver meaningful impact for the leaders they serve. Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis and recently completed her Organizational Leadership Coaching Certification through the University of Virginia. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, trying new recipes and restaurants, and curling up with a great book.
Paulyne Becerra has 15 years of experience in higher education advancement and currently serves as the Executive Director of Development, Student Success and Parent Programs at the University of California San Diego. In this role, Paulyne manages a team of frontline fundraisers and program directors who support student success initiatives and parent and family engagement. Working closely with campus partners, the team is focused on building a robust pipeline of engagement and philanthropic opportunities.
Maria is a career educator whose work experience spans a variety of institutional categories, including research universities, comprehensive universities, land-grant universities, and urban-located and rural-located, HBCUs, and PWIs. She served as President and CEO of Coppin State University (CSU) and was the first woman to be installed as president. Prior to her appointment at CSU, she was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta—the first African American in the role. She served as Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at Tennessee State University (TSU)—the first woman to serve as chief research officer at the institution. She served as principal investigator on numerous grants and received millions in federal funding for scientific research, facilities construction, and educational projects from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Department of Energy, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. She brings insights to her coaching practice gained through firsthand knowledge from breaking barriers in leadership roles in higher education. She is an experienced coach who works with clients who aspire to be deans, vice presidents, provosts, and presidents. In addition to coaching, she has worked […]
