Executive Coaching Circles

Hosted by HERS and Academic Search, a long-standing partner of HERS and leader in the executive coaching field, the Executive Coaching Circles program offers a frequently requested service—executive coaching. The Executive Coaching Circles program was designed to help strong, effective leaders be stronger and more effective.

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FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

Designed to help strong, effective leaders be even stronger and more effective.

What is executive coaching?

Executive coaching is a one-on-one, individualized or group process to benefit the leader and their institution. Working with goals defined by both the leader and the institution, we use various methods, assessments, and feedback to develop the leader’s capacity for current and future leadership. Expanding the capacity of the leader necessarily expands the capacity of the institution to accomplish its goals. It is the focus on both leader and institution that distinguishes executive coaching from leadership coaching, which primarily focuses on the development of the leader.

Why executive coaching through HERS?

We approach executive coaching from a systems perspective and in the context in which the leader is leading. Leadership is learned through ongoing practice, assessment, reflection, and action. Thus, leadership always occurs in a particular context, leads to action, and has an impact to be evaluated.

Leading colleges and universities today is both noble and daunting work. We are committed to the effectiveness, sustainability, and well-being of presidents and senior leaders. We believe that both the interiority of leaders and the exterior demands of institutional leadership are complementary.

- Program structure -

Key features of the Executive Coaching Circles:

Executive Coaching Circles will meet monthly 8 times during the course of the program. Monthly meetings will be 2 hours and are typically held at or after 4 p.m. ET (schedule to be determined and set by each coach and circle).
Participants will be grouped into one of 7 executive coaching circles comprising 6-8 participants each. See list of this year’s groupings below.
Most participants will be grouped into circles based on similar roles and responsibilities, as indicated on their registration form. We will do our best to accommodate each participant’s preferences.
If a circle has fewer than 6 participants, HERS and Academic Search reserve the right to offer a proposed alternative grouping (e.g. a mixture of roles and responsibilities in a circle). In the case an alternative grouping is proposed, participants will have the option to decline their position for a full refund within 3 business days of notification.
Each Executive Coaching Circle will be facilitated by an Academic Search Senior Executive Coach (SEC).
Your SEC will prepare and send monthly agendas and prompts for discussion.
Executive Coaching Circles will kick off with a virtual opening program to introduce the program, executive coaching, the participants, and the SECs.
The program will wrap with a virtual closing program to formally conclude the program, elicit key learnings, program impact, and deepen the network.

- Curriculum -

What participants learn:

Experience a confidential, strengths-based executive coaching group that will engage principles of peer coaching  

Be introduced and exposed to the concept and experience of executive coaching to learn what to expect and what to look for in subsequent one-on-one executive coaching experience  

Gain access to executive coaching developed with accessibility and affordability in mind

Learn about how executive coaching can lead to effective leadership  

Create a community of support

- Who Should Attend -

Executive Coaching Circles are designed for higher education executives at various leadership levels, including but not limited to vice president, vice provost, vice chancellor, or vice dean; assistant or associate vice president, assistant or associate provost, assistant or associate vice chancellor, or assistant or associate dean; and executive director and director roles. This program is aimed to help strong, effective leaders be even stronger and more effective, and become better leaders on behalf of their institutions. For a more complete listing of titles, see group descriptions.

- Circle Groupings -

Executive Coaching Circle groupings are based on similarities in roles and responsibilities among participants.* While participants will share similarities in role/responsibilities, groups will foster diversity of institution types as well as diversity among participants, thereby broadening the range of perspectives and insights brought to the circles and allowing participants to gain insights and learn from one another.

If you don’t see your title here or have questions about which group you should join, please write to us at hers@hersnetwork.org.

This year’s circles are:

Chief Academic Affairs Officer Circle: This circle is designed for those who hold the titles of Provost or Vice President of Academic Affairs or equivalent.
Chief Student Affairs Officer Circle: This circle is specifically designed for those who hold the title of Vice President of Student Affairs or equivalent.
Cabinet-level Circle: This circle includes those who hold the title of Vice President or other cabinet-level positions, except for Vice Presidents of Student Affairs or Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs, which have their own specific circles.
Academic Deans Circle:This circle includes those who hold the title of Academic Dean.
Academic Associates Circle: This circle includes those who serve in the following roles within academic affairs: Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Associate Provost, Assistant Provost, or Executive Director in academic divisions, schools, and other academic units (e.g., library, advising, etc.).

Administrative Associates Circle: This circle includes those who serve in the following role: Associate Vice President or equivalent in administrative/staff divisions outside of academic affairs, such as student affairs, business and finance, technology, athletics, advancement, facilities, auxiliary services, enrollment management, human resources, DEI, etc.
Administrative Directors Circle: This circle includes those who serve in the following roles: Executive Director, Director, or Assistant Vice President in administrative/staff divisions outside of Academic Affairs, such as student affairs, business and finance, technology, athletics, advancement, facilities, auxiliary services, enrollment management, human resources, DEI, etc.

*If a circle has fewer than 6 participants, HERS and Academic Search reserve the right to offer a proposed alternative grouping (e.g. a mixture of roles and responsibilities in a circle). In the case an alternative grouping is proposed, participants will have the option to decline their position for a full refund within 3 business days of notification.