Faculty Coaching

Mary McKinney, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
and Faculty coach

Faculty Coaching

The Successful Academic Approach

I help professors and other academics overcome obstacles and achieve career and life goals through faculty coaching.  My style is original because I combine three professional perspectives:

Building
Skills

Techniques from life coaching and executive coaching

Developing Strategies

In-depth knowledge of higher education institutions and disciplines

Applying Insights

Psychotherapy expertise from an interpersonal perspective

Building Skills

Daily habits make the difference between tenure and failure. Faculty coaching helps people determine both long-term and short-term career priorities. Then we work together to create daily habits to accomplish those goals. Time management includes learning how to use shorter blocks of time for consistent scholarship and writing. Professors learn to say “No!” so that the demands of teaching and departmental service don’t swamp research and publishing. Effective time management involves making sure that family time, exercise and pleasurable breaks are included. The accountability and support of Successful Academic Faculty Coaching helps increase career productivity and reduce stress.

Developing Strategies

I have worked with hundreds of professors in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, as well as professional fields such as law, business and engineering.  I have worked with faculty from Ivy league and Tier 1 State research institutions, to small liberal arts colleges and community colleges.  I am familiar with funding and publishing challenges in many disciplines.  In terms of departmental and institutional politics, over the years I have seen all forms of university dysfunction!  Whether you are looking for a job, are a newly minted professor, or a full professor considering whether to become a dean, I can advise you how to successfully manage your academic career. Broad and deep experience informs Successful Academic Faculty Coaching.  

Applying Insights

The collaborative nature of my faculty coaching process leads to insights that prepare the path for change. My approach combines psychodynamic theory (an understanding of conscious and unconscious patterns) with cognitive behavioral strategies (the way our thoughts effect our feelings and actions.) Although faculty coaching is not therapy and does not specifically treat mental health issues, a psychological perspective is useful in achieving career goals.  Understanding emotional issues, habitual negative thoughts, and long-standing behavioral patterns can help make positive changes in habits and relationships. I often help people ease stress, overcome writer’s block, reduce procrastination and manage perfectionism.  Feeling more empowered and less overwhelmed are often significant benefits of Successful Academic Faculty Coaching.

Individual faculty Coaching Relationships

At this point, I work with people on an individual basis.  For groups and workshops that support university academics, especially professors of color, I highly recommend The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity.