Laura Delbrugge, Ph.D.
Coaching and Consulting
For senior leaders managing teams and solving problems
Be clear. Be authentic. Lead how you want to be led.
As a leader in higher education, you’re managing people, navigating institutional politics, and holding competing expectations from every direction — faculty, students, upper administration — often all in the same afternoon. You’re juggling, you’re managing, and you’re making it work. But somewhere in the middle of all of it, you’re still trying to lead, work, and live in a way that feels more like you.
I get it, because I’ve lived it. I spent more than thirty years in higher education, moving through every stage of academic leadership. I know the pressure you’re under because I’ve felt it myself.
I provide 1:1 coaching and consulting for department chairs, directors, academic deans, and higher education leaders. Working together we won’t just talk tactics. We’ll work on you, the whole person behind the title and the role, so you can make decisions with clarity, handle conflict with confidence, and lead with grace, grit, and integrity.
Why higher ed leaders choose to work with me
I’ve Been There.
Faculty member. Department chair. Dean. I’ve led from nearly every seat at the table, so when you bring me a challenging situation, I’m not guessing at what it’s like because I’ve lived it.
I’ll give you practical, grounded support.
No jargon, no theory for theory’s sake. I’ll help you honestly assess your strengths and challenges, discover where you are on your own professional journey, and figure out how to empower you to grow in your confidence and leadership abilities.
I work with the whole person.
Your well-being as a person and your growth as a professional are both important to me. I am in your corner.
I’ll help you grow your confidence.
You don’t need to control everything to lead well. You do need clarity, accountability, calm, and confidence to create the conditions for you and your team to succeed. That's what we'll build together.
Who I serve
Higher education professionals seeking a coach and thought partner for their professional development
Academic deans and administrators
Department chairs and directors
Faculty aspiring to administrative leadership
Higher education leaders dealing with challenging units or situations
Institutions building an internal leadership pipeline
Working with you to design your next step
Coaching, assessments, and consulting engagements designed to help academic professionals accomplish their goals
For individuals seeking professional development
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This is where you get dedicated time with an advocate who is fully in your corner. We’ll think out loud, process what’s really going on, and help you grow both professionally and personally. No agenda but yours. Explore this opportunity with a complimentary initial consultation.
This is for you if you’re a department chair, program director, dean, or current academic administrator who wants a thinking partner to guide you on your personal and professional journey.
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Maybe you’ve been thinking about a move from faculty into administration for while, or, perhaps you’ve been presented with an unexpected yet intriguing leadership opportunity. Before you make the leap, let's talk about what this move really looks like, including the rewards, the trade-offs, and whether it's the right fit for you.
This is for you if: you're a faculty member weighing a move into academic leadership and want an honest and seasoned thought partner to help empower you in your decision making.
For senior leaders managing teams and solving problems
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Group or Individual
If you have new (or even established) chairs, directors, or deans, I can provide tools and strategies that will build your team’s confidence and leadership abilities. I can also work with you on strategies to develop your internal leadership pipeline.
This is for you if you're a provost, dean, or institutional leader looking to build your team’s abilities and strengths, either as a group, or on an individual basis.
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I provide consulting services for senior and mid-level academic leaders dealing with operational or structural challenges within academic units. These services often include a climate assessment of the unit in question, consultation with key stakeholders, and a confidential report on both current state and possible future directions.
This is for you if you're a provost, dean, or institutional leader addressing structural or personnel challenges within your organizational units.
Not sure where to start? No worries. You don’t have to have the solutions before you reach out. We’ll figure it out together.
What you can expect when we work together
As your coach, I will help you build confidence, communication skills, and strategic perspective to lead with integrity in today's rapidly-changing higher education environment, and to feel like yourself while doing it. As your consultant, I will be your thought partner as you address challenging situations and I’ll help you craft workable and impactful solutions.
My style is direct, transparent, and grounded in real experience. Together, we will:
Identify the core issues, not just the symptoms.
Discover the best path for you based on your values, experiences, dreams, and realities.
Build a step-by-step process for addressing challenges.
Support your institution's expectations while also making room for your own personal and professional growth.