Mary has worked in the field of stewardship and donor relations for 15 years, beginning at the University of Illinois Foundation in 2006. In 2009, she joined the University of Chicago’s Donor Relations team, leaving in 2012 to become Director of Alumni Relations & External Engagement for Loyola University’s Health Sciences Division. Mary next managed stewardship for a portfolio of corporate and foundation donors at YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for local YMCAs across the globe. Mary returned to the University of Chicago in 2016 to serve as Director of Donor Relations, leading the Donor Relations team in their work to create meaningful donor experiences that deepened relationships with the University. Mary is an active member of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) and chaired the 2018 International Conference in St. Louis as well as the 2019 International Conference in Miami. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Education Committee and is an ex officio member of the ADRP Board of Directors.
“Our unique backgrounds, experiences, and identities will reveal themselves in the divergent goals for which we advocate and in the behaviors we exhibit,” comments Dean Paaige Turner. “By putting in place structures that bring together diverse groups in productive, action-based collaboration, and by retaining a sense of optimism, purpose, and belief in the ability of those around us those differences will lead to creating programs, opportunities, and a world each of us, alone, could never have imagined.” Paaige is an experienced higher education administrator, communication teacher-scholar, and organizational consultant with an extensive background in gender in the workplace, strategic planning, mentoring, change management, budgeting, education technology, and international education. Her focus upon collaborative working partnership has allowed her to support the creation of year-round high school to college programs, assessment practices with 100% compliance, faculty and student mentoring programs, award-winning faculty educator/learning technology platforms, budget/mission alignment for net revenue gain, and award-winning international programs. Her background in organizational communication and her commitment to achieving goals that fulfill an organization’s mission have garnered her the opportunity to serve higher education in a variety of roles. Currently she serves as Co-Director for the ACE Women’s Network of Indiana, Vice Chair of Operations […]
Tricia Penniecook has over 25 years of experience as a physician, educator, and public health administrator. She believes that it is the responsibility of public health academia to create, educate, and support leaders of different passions, interests, and experiences—leaders who will understand and embrace their responsibilities in achieving health equity through practice, research, advocacy, and policy development. She has been the Vice-Dean for Education and Faculty Affairs, University of South Florida, College of Public Health for over three years. She provides strategic leadership for all academic, educational, student, and faculty-related matters within the College, and currently leads the Academic Master Plan process with a Comprehensive Strategy to Address Systemic Racism. Since 2012, she has also been serving as a Site Visitor for the Council on Education for Public Health, the accrediting body for schools of Public Health, and also served as National Councilor from January 2020 to December 2021. Tricia is no stranger to starting over and leading change, and she believes that women need to be empowered with knowledge, skills, and opportunities in order to step confidently into their life’s purpose.
As VDFA, Marie coordinates many aspects of faculty work life, including organizing the New Faculty Orientation, assembling mentoring committees for pre-tenure faculty, preparing summary reports for the Provost Office regarding the tenure and promotion processes of individual faculty members, meeting individually with faculty regarding any concerns they may have, and providing support services for faculty during the retirement process. She is responsible for creating faculty development workshops and events as well as nominating faculty members for external awards. Marie also is a Professor of Psychology and Education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology. She is the author of three books, including a newly published title exploring the experiences of women in STEM fields, and over 65 publications dealing with multicultural issues in counseling and psychology. Marie previously served as Associate Editor of The Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, and is the Book Series Editor for the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 44. She previously served as the 2015 President of the National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA), President of the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs, and Vice-President for Education and Training for the APA Division 17. Dr. Miville is an APA Fellow (Divisions 17 and 45). Prior […]
Working with faculty and academic leaders to hone their communication skills, disable procrastination, and locate processes and practices to unlock their productivity and creativity. Heather N. Martin is a writing professor, cross-cultural mentor, and faculty coach. With over 20 years in the academy, she helps faculty and academic leaders sort through competing obligations to design professional lives of meaning and purpose. Whatever the challenge, Heather helps faculty hone their self-advocacy and communication skills, disable procrastination, and locate processes to unlock their productivity and creativity. Using a project-based approach, Heather empowers faculty to find their voice, and reach professional goals. As faculty teaching and service loads increase, research and lived experience tell us that these burdens fall disproportionately on BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women faculty, who are more likely to be asked to serve on important but time-consuming committees (e.g., DEIB/JEDI initiatives). With awareness and sensitivity to these forms of invisible labor, Heather supports faculty through these challenging conditions to both assert their value and hit professional goals, while preserving their personal and familial wellbeing. Heather holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Denver, an M.A. from the City University of New York–Queens College, and a B.A. from the State […]
Corinne Nicolas is Academic Impressions’ Head of Practice for Faculty Success, a member of the Coaching Team, and an ICF-certified coach. As the Head of Practice, she partners with institutions to design and facilitate trainings and programs that foster the development of the leadership skills and mindsets needed for faculty to thrive, advance in their careers, and engage in sustainable, high-impact leadership within their institutions. Corinne is deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of faculty and aspiring leaders so they can expand their professional impact. Her passion for this work stems from a 25-year career in higher education, as a faculty and mid-level faculty leader in both liberal arts college and research university settings, where she learned alongside and led colleagues navigating diverse stages of academic life. That commitment inspired her “second act”: leaving academia to launch her own coaching practice dedicated to serving faculty and academic leaders, and eventually joining Academic Impressions in 2023. Born and raised in France, Corinne earned a PhD in English Composition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as Masters degrees, in Education and English respectively, from Tusculum University and the University of Haute Bretagne, France. She is an avid beach lover, who […]
Mike is an executive coach and higher education leader with a focus in group dynamics, interpersonal communication, leadership, and second career development. Three questions inspire Mike’s work as a coach: What brings you joy? What are you good at? What does the world need you to be? Mike’s professional career has taken him in many different directions, but always with the same focus, on helping others to grow, change, and become better. As a faith community leader, spiritual director, learning coach, academic counselor, and now as an Assistant Dean for Faculty and Student Success at the MGH IHP in Boston, Mike has developed and honed deep listening skills, asking questions that both challenge and inspire, and he knows how to accompany a client on their unique journey without imposing his own agenda or needs. He is especially skilled in dealing with grief, change of career, LGBTQ+ leaders, and crisis leadership. His own work as a faculty member enables him to understand the unique challenges of faculty who may be torn between the demands of scholarship, teaching, and service, while struggling to meet home and personal concerns. Mike’s educational background includes an MDiv with coursework in counseling, philosophy, and psychology, a […]
“Working with Yvonne helped me stop performing leadership and start living it. I was finally able to quiet the doubt, realign with my values, and lead in a way that felt like me—powerful, imperfect, and effective.” I coach higher education leaders to rise with clarity, confidence, and strategy—especially in the messy middle of complex institutions. Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role, managing change across silos, or navigating the hidden curriculum of executive life, I help you lead with purpose and impact. My coaching supports: Navigating Leadership Transitions: From department chairs to cabinet-level roles, I guide leaders through the early turbulence of new positions and help them develop a leadership approach that matches institutional context and personal authenticity. Strategic Planning & Decision-Making: I help leaders at all levels—from deans to vice presidents—connect day-to-day operations with long-term institutional goals, turning strategy into action. Leading Through Change & Transformation: Whether it’s a structural reorg, a cultural shift, or a political minefield, I equip you with change management tools, emotional agility, and energy awareness to lead through uncertainty with resilience and adaptability. Enhancing Executive Presence & Communication: As a certified EQ-i/EQ 360 practitioner, I support leaders in becoming emotionally effective—deepening self-awareness, navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics, and […]
Renell brings more than 15 years of substantial executive experience, driving the communications and marketing strategies of some of the most prestigious universities in the United States by helping research institutions to advance the human condition through service, care, research, teaching and learning. Currently, she is Vice President for Communications at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Her passion for learning and service as a marketing executive has been extended to the support of community organizations that are dedicated to helping young people thrive. As a board member of many Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls Scouts of America, and Parent Teacher Associations, Renell believes these groups build young people’s character and confidence, and help to position them for successful lives. Renell received her master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University and a bachelor’s in English from Spelman College.
Dr. Nichole S. Prescott is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas System, focusing on equity in the student success continuum. She is a proud citizen of the federally recognized Miami Nation of Oklahoma, and lives in Texas with her wife, two kids, two dogs, and two cats.
