If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might benefit from my coaching and consulting services. As an academic administrator (department chair, dean, or provost), you probably find yourself leading from the middle. But satisfying expectations on both ends of that middle can be tough—something for which earning a terminal degree leaves most of us unprepared.

To see whether I can help you resolve your situation, please schedule a free, 30-minute, discovery conversation. Once you book your session, you'll receive a brief survey to provide some basic information. We'll then take it from there.

As a newly appointed department chair some years ago, I was surprised at how lonely I felt in my new role.  It doesn't have to be that way. But, seeking advice and support from your superiors or from faculty friends can be tricky.

If you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities or if you are coping with complex and ambiguous challenges, you might benefit from an external, experienced perspective. With over 30 years of experience from faculty member to provost, I can help.

Check out the full description of my services and schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery meeting via video or phone,

Years ago, when I first assumed the role of dean after serving as a department chair, I was no longer merely considered a faculty member. I had now moved to the "dark side." I was reluctant to pester the academic vice president for advice too often, and friends on the faculty were now a risky source of support. Leading from the middle during times of institutional stress is complicated.

More than ever, deans now deal with complex and ambiguous challenges. If doing so causes you to feel overwhelmed, you might benefit from an external, experienced perspective. With more than 30 years of experience from faculty member to provost, I can help.

Check out the full description of my services and schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery meeting via video or phone,

The sudden departure of my academic vice president and supervisor many years ago thrust me into that role quite unprepared. Frankly, I was unprepared for the breadth of vision that dealing with multiple constituencies — the governing board, accrediting agencies, state officials, the president, alumni/ae, external funding sources, and the public — required. Representing the faculty and other academic offices to the president and the board of trustees while conveying presidential and board decisions to the academic division proved to be a difficult tightrope to traverse. Sometimes, I found myself having to implement decisions with which I disagreed.

More than ever, provosts now deal with complex, often conflicting, situations that affect the mission and viability of their institution. Except for the president, no other academic officer has such broad authority and institution-wide responsibility. If you feel isolated in this role, you might benefit from an external, experienced perspective. With more than 30 years of experience from faculty member to provost, I can help.

Check out the full description of my services and schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery meeting via video or phone,

Colleges and universities often find it difficult to provide the leadership training and support that new academic administrators (department/program chairs, deans, and others) require, especially if they are drawn from the faculty. Resources, time, and expertise are often limited. However, in light of the challenges that higher education faces, such training and guidance is needed more than ever to improve institutional operations.

That is why I founded Sage Leader to provide consultation services to groups within institutions of higher learning. Through in-person presentations and workshops or via online meetings, I can provide perspective and guidance to newly appointed and experienced academic leaders. Most institutions find that engaging groups of leaders in such events saves time and is more cost-effective than individual coaching. (In most cases, the cost per participant will be less than what national organizations and firms charge.)

Check out the full description of my consulting services and schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery meeting via video or phone. If you know of individuals who need professional coaching assistance, please refer them to one of my coaching services or have them get in touch with me directly.

If you work in higher education, you will continually face decisions about how to advance or change your career. The challenges to colleges and universities today make these decisions more complicated than they were in the past. This because academic institutions face rising costs along with predicted declining enrollment. Budgets are tight. Moving from one institution to another, especially if you are a tenured faculty member or senior staff member, can be extremely difficult. It is therefore important to seek advice from someone who is experienced and who will maintain complete confidentiality. You need not face these issues alone.

Here are some career-related questions that many face.

·      As a faculty member, should I focus more on my research rather than teaching to apply successfully for promotion?

·      How can I acquire funding to support my research?

·      What can I do if I’m denied tenure?

·      How can I attract more students to my courses and engage them successfully?

·      Should I seek to become a department chair? A dean? A provost?

·      Should I leave academe altogether? If so, what can I do?

·      As an academic non-teaching employee, what should I do about lack of opportunity for professional advancement?

·      Which of my professional skills are transferrable to other careers? How can I find out?

·      What should I do if my efforts to achieve promotion are blocked?

·      How can I cope with toxic colleagues or superiors?

·      How can I handle feelings of boredom, stultification, or uselessness?

·      When should I retire?

·      Is there life beyond the life-of-the-mind?

Do any of these or other questions about your career path pertain to you? Check out the full description of my services and schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery meeting via video or phone.