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 practical advice for coaches interested in working with colleges and universities. The presentation covers the unique challenges and complexities of higher education institutions, the importance of coaching in this context, and the potential impact of effective coaching on these organizations.

Dr. Jansa highlights the unique organizational structures and challenges faced by colleges and universities, such as deeply embedded silos, hierarchical structures, and the lack of a unified vision. He discusses the importance of understanding these complexities and the need for coaches to navigate them effectively.

The presentation then delves into the specific challenges of coaching in higher education, including the "faculty leadership trap," the misconception of higher education institutions as machines, and the lack of meaningful leadership development programs. The presenter emphasizes the importance of coaching as a non-directive approach to bring about lasting positive change in these institutions.

Dr. Jansa also addresses the changing priorities of employees in higher education, particularly in the post-pandemic era, and the need for institutions to adapt to these new expectations. He highlights the potential of coaching to address employee turnover and attrition by developing pathways for advancement and leveraging the knowledge and expertise of staff and faculty.

The presentation concludes with key takeaways and a call to action for coaches to help higher education institutions become more agile, appreciate the knowledge and potential within their organizations, and dispel the image of coaching as a punitive intervention.

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 Season 1 finale of Coaching in Higher Education, Tim and Dorine dive into:
Why faculty‑to‑leader transitions are so common yet often under‑supported
Understanding leadership as both a skill and a discipline
Moving from individual contributor to manager to visionary leader
Navigating identity, allegiance, and “going over to the dark side” of administration
Managing staff dynamics and building respectful relationships
Balancing research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities
Building a supportive bench of peers, mentors, and coaches
Designing a healthier coaching and leadership‑development ecosystem in higher ed

Learn more about this episode, our guest, and coaching for higher‑education leaders at: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#lawrencehughes
Leadership Imagined: https://leadershipimagined.com

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:
✅Connect leadership development to institutional identity and Jesuit values such as cura personalis (care of the person)
✅Structure multi‑phase leadership programs and foundational documents for clarity, consistency, and stakeholder buy‑in
✅Balance high‑touch coaching relationships with shared tools such as 360s and individual development plans
✅Select and motivate committed participants so the program delivers real impact
✅Involve supervisors and senior leaders to strengthen accountability and long‑term support
✅Treat leadership development as an institution‑wide intervention, not a one‑off workshop
✅Learn more about leadership coaching for higher‑education leaders and this episode’s resources:

Companion site: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#cahillfarella