List of Coaches & Resources for Professors
Professors Helping Professors
• Help for Professors Within Academia
• Coaches for Personal, Career, Writing, & Tenure Help
• Help for Professors to Start a Side-Business
• Help for Professors to Get Hired in Industry
What is the selection criteria? Who is on the list?
I have curated this list to highlight coaches and resources created by current or former academics, with a few trusted exceptions. Generally speaking, the list is comprised of people from North America, but some European professors are also included. It is not meant to be exhaustive, but I have attempted to include a range of disciplines and perspectives. Unless otherwise noted, all coaches see clients online; some may also offer in-person sessions and on-site/destination retreats.
Who created this list? I did.
What types of assistance are included?
Personal Coaching/Counseling - help with personal challenges which may include depressed mood, motivation, life purpose, personal relationships, anxiety, etc. Includes mental health professionals and/or coaches — see their website for their professional credentials.
Career Coaching/Counseling - help with concerns such as productivity, efficiency, promotion/tenure, work-related stressors & relationships, interviewing, job searches, transitions to industry, resume writing, etc.
Writing/Book/Grant Coaching - help with writing habits, grant writing, productivity, publishing, editing, starting/finishing/marketing a book, etc.
Starting a Business - assistance with starting a part- or full-time business; help with how create a product or service that sells, identifying market niches, marketing & networking, pricing, etc.
What if I want to be added or removed from the list? -- I’m happy to remove or amend your listing as well as consider adding your service to the list. Just email me.
Help for Professors Within Academia
Personal, Career, & Writing Coaching from Professors
Dr. Mary McKinney - SuccessfulAcademic.com
Mary McKinney, Ph.D., blends over 20 years of academic coaching and psychotherapy to support faculty at all stages. She helps clients set goals, build daily writing and time‑management habits, overcome perfectionism & procrastination, navigate departmental politics, prepare tenure materials, & balance work with life. Career & Writing Coaching; Individual Sessions Only.
Kel Weinhold - ReachTheNextLevel.net
Kel Weinhold helps faculty identify their strengths and rewrite self-sabotaging stories. She offers self-paced courses, group sessions, and individualized coaching focused on building sustainable work practices, celebrating progress, and managing obstacles with humor and clarity to help clients reach their next level. Career & Writing Coaching; Individual & Group Coaching, Courses.
Dr. Karen Kelsky - TheProfessorIsIn.com
Karen Kelsky, Ph.D., founded The Professor Is In to demystify academic careers. She offers honest, candid coaching — CV edits, interview prep, tenure guidance, and strategies for academic or non‑academic paths. Her “bullshit‑free” approach empowers scholars, especially underserved groups, to navigate hiring rigors and systemic challenges. Career & Writing Coaching; Individual & Group Coaching, Courses.
Danielle De La Marne, PhD - Self-Compassionate Professor
Danielle De La Mare, Ph.D., coaches mid‑career and recovering academics to heal their overwork mindset and burnout. She guides clients to clear emotional clutter, set boundaries, clarify career desires, and build sustainable, wellness‑centered work practices through group coaching, retreats, course materials, and ongoing support. Career Coaching; Group.
Dr. Kemi Doll - KD Coach
Dr. Kemi Doll, a gynecologic oncologist and former faculty member in academic medicine, leads KD Coach for high‑achieving women of color in academic medicine and public health. She empowers clients to shed a trainee mindset, reclaim career control, secure grant funding, and build sustainable, joy‑filled academic lives. Career Coaching. Group.
Rebecca Pope-Ruark, PhD - The Agile Academic
Rebecca Pope‑Ruark, Ph.D., founder of The Agile Academic, coaches faculty to prioritize well‑being, vitality, and meaningful work over mere productivity. She offers burnout-focused coaching, workshops, and her books—Unraveling Faculty Burnout and Agile Faculty—to normalize burnout discussions and create sustainable academic practices. Career Coaching; Individual, Workshop.
Rebecca Roache, PhD - The Academic Imperfectionist
Rebecca Roache, Ph.D., is a philosopher-turned-coach who helps academics overcome perfectionism and self-criticism. Through philosophical analysis, coaching sessions, and a podcast, she empowers faculty to silence their inner critic, embrace their “inner mentor,” establish kinder work habits, and flourish on their own terms. UK. Career Coaching. Individual.
Dr. Rose Aslan - Compassion Flow Coaching
Dr. Rose Aslan, a former academic and founder of Compassion Flow, offers healing-centered, trauma-informed coaching for women seeking emotional resilience and personal growth. She combines her scholarly background with embodied practices like breathwork and mindful reflection. Her coaching provides an inclusive, accessible path to healing and self-care. Personal Coaching. Individual & Workshops.
Hillary Hutchinson - Transitioning Your Life
Hillary Hutchinson, founder of Transitioning Your Life, helps faculty and higher education professionals navigate career transitions and academic challenges. Drawing on her own experience in and beyond academia, she supports clients in clarifying goals, reducing stress, and finding fulfilling paths inside or outside higher education. Career & Writing Coaching. Individual.
Eugene Geis, PhD - Phd2Pro
Eugene Geis, Ph.D., creator of PhD2Pro, helps academics translate their doctoral expertise into industry-ready confidence. With a rich background in physics, education, and diverse professional roles, he teaches business vocabulary, mindset shifts, and strategic communication. His course bridges academia and industry, preparing PhDs for successful post-academic careers. Career Course.
Jen Polk, PhD - From PhD to Life
Jen Polk, Ph.D., founder of From PhD to Life, supports professors, postdocs, and PhDs transitioning from academia into meaningful careers. Since 2013, she's helped clients gain clarity, market themselves confidently, and align work with their values. Her approach combines personal insight with strategic career planning to ease post-academic transitions. Career Coaching. Individual, Group, & Course.
Erin McTigue, PhD - The Positive Academic
Erin McTigue, Ph.D., founder of The Positive Academic, is a former tenured professor of education at Texas A&M with five years of professional coaching experience. She empowers academics and writers to define their vision, harness strengths, manage writing habits, and cultivate productive, value-aligned workflows. Her research-based, positive approach helps reduce stress, enhance motivation, and foster community. Career & Writing Coaching. Individual & Group.
Dr. Nicole Janz - NicoleJanz.com
Dr. Nicole Janz, a former tenured political science professor, helps academics, authors, and entrepreneurs overcome writer’s block and burnout. Drawing from her own recovery, she guides clients to build sustainable writing habits, gain confidence, and publish with joy. Her programs range from book coaching and writing cohorts to digital planners and resilience-building resources. Writing Coaching. Individual & Workshop.
Anna Clemens, PhD - Researchers’ Writing Academy
Anna Clemens, Ph.D., founder of the Researchers’ Writing Academy, is an academic writing coach with a Ph.D. in Chemistry and experience in science journalism. She helps researchers craft structured, compelling papers efficiently using her signature "Journal Publication Formula." Her method reduces procrastination and desk rejections, enabling authors to publish more and enjoy writing. Writing Community.