Higher Education

Universities, colleges and research institutes manage the tension between the need to sustain a safe community conducive to inquiry and learning, while remaining open to the surrounding community and the world.

Higher education presents unique challenges

Some of the distinctive needs and challenges leaders in these environments face are:

Operational complexity and high demand for services

The need to provide a safe and supportive environment for members of the community in a time of widespread social tension and anxiety

Relentless demand for facilities and services to support a very wide variety of specialized teaching and research activities

Pressure on faculty to manage increasingly large and complex research programs that rely on “soft money” with a workforce composed of students and postdoctoral fellows who expect to stay only a few years

Managing ongoing tension between priorities

Monitoring and supervising employees to ensure alignment with institutional values and cultural expectations while also honoring the commitment to academic freedom.

Delivering both research and teaching at a high level

Efficient delivery of shared services while meeting exceptionally diverse needs across many disciplines

Faculty management and engagement

Navigating a highly competitive landscape for scholars and for research funding

Rotational leadership in key academic leadership roles

Complex funding and stakeholder environment

Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with essential outside partners, including government agencies, private donors, community organizations and industry.

Project Summary

Balancing faculty engagement with stewardship of resources

Following a planning effort, I designed a leadership structure for a research institute that balanced the need for responsiveness and engagement with faculty with effective stewardship of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.

Client Testimonial

"Working with Elizabeth feels like having a secret weapon. Her organizational acumen, combined with her engaging interpersonal skills and dedication to excellence, has elevated our work. Any organization would be fortunate to work with her."

Client

Services for Institutions of Higher Education

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While I offer distinct consulting and coaching services, I find the best approach for universities, colleges and research institutes is often a customized one.

To ensure we are focused on the most impactful intervention, every engagement starts with an exploration of your specific goals and challenges, and a review of relevant data. I can then design a targeted scope and process with real value for you, often combining aspects of multiple services, such as:

Strategy Development

A strategic plan is, at its most basic, the answer to two questions: “What is success?” and “How will we get there?”

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Organizational Design

Complex academic and service organizations often grant considerable autonomy to department and local leaders. At the same time, they must coordinate activity across multiple functions and sometimes large distances.

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Change Management

Getting the most from your teams and colleagues in a rapidly changing environment is hard, particularly when teams are challenged just to keep up with daily demands.

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Executive Coaching

Executive coaching is an opportunity to address the organizational and business issues most on your mind, while also exploring and cultivating your leadership identity and voice.

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Team Development

Effective teamwork can amplify the impact of talented individual leaders and team members.

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