Coaching in Higher Education

In the first episode of Season 2 of the "Coaching in Higher Education" podcast, host Dr. Tim Jansa discusses the new book Transformative Coaching for Faculty and Staff in Higher Education with editors Dr. Karen Gonzalez Rice and Dr. Susan Hrach. The book, which includes contributions from various experts, aims to provide a comprehensive guide to coaching in higher education, addressing both faculty and staff.

The editors emphasize t...

Are you a coach interested in working with colleges and universities, but have gained most of your experience in industry? Or maybe you're an experienced higher ed coach looking for new insights to enhance your practice? Either way, you're in the right place!

This presentation on coaching in higher education, delivered by Dr. Tim Jansa, a certified leadership and organizational development coach, aims to provide insights and...

This episode explores how coaches can support faculty as they step into leadership roles in higher education, from department chair to dean. Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Dorine Lawrence‑Hughes discuss mindset shifts, identity, staff dynamics, and the transition from contributor to manager and leader.
If you coach or lead in colleges and universities, this conversation offers practical insights you can use right away.

In the Seas...

In this episode, Dr. Tim Jansa and Stéfane Cahill Farella show how to design and run an on‑campus leadership development and coaching program in higher education, using Boston College’s Ignatian Leadership Development Program (ILDP) as a case study. The conversation covers program design, alignment with institutional mission, and the practical realities of implementation in a university setting.

You’ll learn how to:
✅Conn...

In this episode of Coaching in Higher Education, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Mo Sattar explore how organizational alignment and misalignment shape the effectiveness of colleges and universities. They unpack the connection between strategy, culture, and communication, and show how misaligned goals, unclear roles, and hidden passive resistance slow institutions down.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Recognize indicators of misalignment in ...

Dr. Tim Jansa and Sarah Spencer discuss the impact of national policy changes on international higher education leaders. Sarah highlights the resilience of global education leaders, noting past challenges like 9/11 and the pandemic. Coaching is emphasized as a crucial tool for navigating these uncertainties, fostering leadership, and addressing intercultural dynamics. They stress the importance of understanding sector-specific nuan...

Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Rubina Malik discuss the challenges and opportunities in career pathways in higher education. Dr. Malik highlights the lack of defined career advancement paths, especially for staff, and the need for coaching to help individuals navigate these challenges. She emphasizes the importance of purpose, skills, and transferable skills in career growth. Dr. Malik also notes the impact of the "Great Resignation" in hig...

In this conversation, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Kate McCaffrey explore the complexities of student services in higher education, discussing the challenges faced by leaders in this field, the importance of coaching, and the need for agility in response to changing student needs. They emphasize the significance of building relationships, breaking down silos, and fostering a mission-driven culture within institutions. The discussion also ...

In this episode, Dr. Tim Jansa and Tanya Vogel explore the intersection of coaching and athletics in higher education. They discuss the unique challenges faced by athletic leaders, the importance of collaboration between athletics and academics, and the ripple effect of effective coaching on student development. Tanya shares insights from her experience as an athletic director and executive coach, emphasizing the need for emotional...

In this conversation, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Rebecca Pope-Ruark explore the critical issue of burnout in higher education, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. They discuss the factors contributing to burnout, including institutional betrayal and the misalignment of values, and the importance of compassionate conversations in addressing these challenges. The conversation also delves into the differences between coaching and therapy...

In this conversation, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Jennifer Brown explore the complexities of leadership in higher education, emphasizing the vital role of trust in driving effective change. They discuss the unique challenges of building trust across diverse stakeholders, the importance of relational authority, and strategies for overcoming resistance to change. The dialogue highlights the need for authenticity, empathy, and resilience in...

Dr. Tim Jansa and Laurie Koehler discuss the challenges and opportunities in Enrollment Management and Student Services, emphasizing the importance of coaching. Laurie highlights the impact of federal policy changes and financial aid shifts on staff retention and morale. She notes that while many leaders seek coaching, access remains limited. Coaching is seen as a developmental tool rather than a punitive intervention. Laurie also ...

Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Heath Jolliff discuss the unique challenges of coaching physicians in academic medical settings. Key topics include the cultural barriers to coaching, such as a strong tradition of self-reliance, limited leadership training, and hierarchical structures.
Dr. Jolliff explains how coaching can help medical professionals navigate complex roles, manage burnout, and develop leadership skills. The discussion highl...

In this episode, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Sarah Westfall discuss the unique dynamics of coaching in higher education, particularly within liberal arts colleges. They explore the relationship-driven culture of small colleges, the challenges coaches face in navigating these relationships, and the importance of assessments in coaching.

Dr. Westfall also shares insights on transitioning to executive roles, career support, and the cyclical ...

In this conversation, Dr. Joel Pérez and Dr. Tim Jansa explore the intersection of leadership, coaching, and equity in higher education. They discuss the importance of creating a sense of belonging, the role of cultural humility, and the challenges of navigating privilege and resistance in organizational settings. The episode underscores the importance of self-awareness, curiosity, and a commitment to ongoing improvement in leaders...

Dr. Tim Jansa and James Walton discuss the business side of coaching in higher education. Walton, president of Collaborative Brain Trust, highlights the importance of fit and localization in coaching programs, emphasizing the need for coaches with higher ed experience. He identifies common pain points in higher ed, such as accountability and trust, and discusses the challenges of previous failed coaching programs.

Walton also explai...

Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Tammy Gocial discuss the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) environment in higher education, emphasizing its impact on leadership. Dr. Gocial highlights the challenges of navigating digital learning, enrollment cliffs, and financial pressures, noting the need for strategic, agile responses. She suggests coaching strategies to help leaders manage cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects, ...

Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Kavita Pandit examine the distinct challenges encountered by academic leaders transitioning from faculty roles to administrative positions, the distinction between mentoring and coaching, the importance of integrating emotional intelligence with analytical thinking, and the evolving landscape of leadership development in universities.
Dr. Pandit shares insights from her experience as both an internal and ex...