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Ascendra Leadership

  • Navigate Your Higher Education Career Successfully—Without
    Sacrificing Your Wellbeing

    Expert coaching and consulting for higher education professionals at every career stage

    Let’s Talk About Your Career

We have experience working with Leaders in

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Coaching & Consulting Services

Transformational Outcomes We’ve Delivered

  • Helped early‑career professionals secure tenure‑track positions and leadership roles within 12 months.
  • Guided middle managers to achieve a 20% increase in promotion readiness through tailored leadership coaching.
  • Supported senior leaders in reducing team turnover by 15% through culture transformation initiatives.
  • Helped higher education organizations save thousands annually by aligning leadership development with strategic priorities.

  • Designed group coaching cohorts that improved peer collaboration scores by 30% across academic departments.
  • Streamlined onboarding for new faculty, cutting adjustment time by 25% while boosting teaching effectiveness.
  • Increased institutional engagement by 40% through workshops on managing up, down, and across.
  • Delivered executive coaching that improved time‑to‑impact for new university leaders by 33%.

World‑Class Coaching for Higher Education Professionals

We provide executive‑level support for individuals and institutions navigating growth, change, or complexity in higher education. Whether you need one‑on‑one coaching, group cohort enrollment, or strategic consulting, Ascendra Leadership steps in as your embedded Partner.Our work aligns people, performance, and institutional priorities — ensuring that higher education professionals thrive at every stage of their career without sacrificing wellbeing.

Early Career Professionals

Start strong in your higher education journey. Build confidence, navigate institutional culture, and set a foundation for long‑term success.

Middle Manager Coaching

Strengthen your leadership skills, manage competing priorities, and position yourself for advancement

Senior Leader Coaching

Lead with vision, transform culture, and drive sustainable institutional success.

Speaking & Workshops

Inspire and equip your teams with actionable insights through dynamic presentations and customized workshops.

Group Coaching Cohorts

Learn and grow alongside peers in small, focused groups designed for collaboration and accountability.

Our Coaching Process

A Proven Approach, Designed to Create Lasting Impact

Discover

We begin with a thoughtful discovery conversation to understand your career stage, institutional context, and the challenges you’re facing. This is where we listen deeply and uncover the goals that matter most to you.

Design

We co‑create a tailored coaching plan aligned with your aspirations, your institution’s priorities, and your personal wellbeing. No jargon, no one‑size‑fits‑all programs — just clarity, focus, and strategies that fit your reality.

Deliver

We walk alongside you through the coaching journey, providing guidance, accountability, and practical tools. Whether it’s one‑on‑one coaching, group cohorts, or leadership workshops, we adapt as you grow to ensure measurable progress and sustainable success.

Let’s Talk About Your Goal

Leadership & Career Development Approach

How Our Coaching Approach Creates Real Impact

Accessible Executive Expertise

Get strategic coaching and leadership support without the cost of a full‑time executive hire. Our model provides seasoned expertise that guides, supports, and builds capability across your institution.

Faster Progress. Sustainable Results

We integrate quickly, listen deeply, and start delivering outcomes right away. Our process avoids the delays of long hiring cycles or scattered efforts. You move from challenge to progress with less friction and more focus.

A Partner to Your Team

We don’t replace your people — we work alongside them. Whether you’re a faculty leader, department chair, or senior administrator, we act as a trusted partner to strengthen strategy and execution.

Leadership That Builds Momentum

Get strategic coaching and leadership support without the cost of a full‑time executive hire. Our model provides seasoned expertise that guides, supports, and builds capability across your institution.

Clarity in Complexity

We specialize in solving high‑stakes leadership challenges during times of growth and transition. From team turnover to scaling pains, we provide clear plans and confident guidance when it matters most.

Coaching Client Testimonials

Professionals Who Now See Leadership as a Path to Growth

Working with Ascendra helped me move from uncertainty to clarity. Within months, I had a clear career plan and the confidence to pursue it.

Jone King

CEO of The Cook State LTD.

The coaching gave me practical tools to lead my team more effectively. I’ve seen real improvements in collaboration and morale.

Rose Elam

CEO of The Cook State LTD.

Ascendra’s approach is different — it’s not just theory. I walked away with strategies I could apply immediately, and the results have been lasting.

Jone King

CEO of The Cook State LTD.

How Early Career Professionals Can Thrive in Higher Education Without Burning Out

Practical strategies for new faculty and staff to build confidence, navigate institutional culture, and grow sustainably.

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The Hidden Challenges Middle Managers Face in Higher Education — And How to Overcome Them

Explore the unique pressures of middle management in academia and how coaching can unlock leadership growth.

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Executive Coaching for Senior Leaders: Driving Culture and Strategy in Higher Education

Senior leaders face complex challenges. This post explores how executive coaching supports vision, culture transformation, and institutional success.

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The Power of Group Coaching Cohorts in Higher Education

Group coaching fosters collaboration, accountability, and shared learning. Learn why cohorts are a powerful tool for professional growth.

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Speaking & Workshops: Inspiring Leadership Growth Across Higher Education Institutions

Dynamic speaking engagements and workshops can spark transformation. This post highlights how Ascendra Leadership designs impactful sessions.

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How Early Career Professionals Can Thrive in Higher Education Without Burning Out

Practical strategies for new faculty and staff to build confidence, navigate institutional culture, and grow sustainably.

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What is Ascendra Leadership?

Ascendra Leadership provides coaching and consulting services designed specifically for higher education professionals. We help individuals and institutions thrive by aligning career growth, leadership development, and wellbeing.

Who do you work with?
  • We support professionals at every stage of their higher education journey:
    • Early career faculty and staff
    • Middle managers and department leaders
    • Senior administrators and executives
    • Institutions seeking workshops, speaking engagements, or group coaching cohorts
    How does coaching work?

    Coaching sessions are tailored to your goals and context. We begin with a discovery conversation, then design a personalized plan. Sessions can be one‑on‑one or group‑based, virtual or in‑person, and typically run weekly or bi‑weekly.

    What outcomes can I expect?

    Clients often experience:

    • Greater confidence in leadership roles

    • Clearer career pathways and advancement strategies

    • Improved team collaboration and culture

    • Reduced burnout and stronger wellbeing

    • Measurable institutional impact

    Do you offer workshops or speaking engagements?

    Yes. Ascendra Leadership delivers dynamic conference presentations, keynotes, webinars, and campus workshops. Topics range from career progression and leadership skills to building resilient teams. Custom topics are available upon request.

    What are group coaching cohorts?
  • Group coaching cohorts bring together professionals with similar goals in a structured, collaborative format. Participants benefit from peer learning, accountability, and shared resources. Cohorts run for set durations and include access to recordings and materials.
    • How much does coaching cost?

    Pricing is customized based on your needs, format, and duration. We’ll discuss options during your discovery call to ensure the investment aligns with your goals and resources.

    How do I get started?

    The best way to begin is by scheduling a Discovery Call. This conversation helps us understand your needs and recommend the right service — whether coaching, workshops, or group cohorts.