LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER EDUCATION & BEYOND
Leadership doesn't have to feel lonely.
Strong teams begin with self-aware leaders. You can grow your career and lead with intention — without losing your sense of self.
I help mid-level and senior leaders — from department chairs to senior administrators — develop effective leadership in higher education by moving from overwhelmed crisis management to confident, authentic leadership that builds connected, high-performing teams.
Higher Education Leadership
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Coaching & Consulting
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Retreats & Workshops
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Higher Education Leadership / Coaching & Consulting / Retreats & Workshops /
You were promoted because you excelled at your job.
But nobody taught you how to navigate the complexities of leading people (especially in higher education's resource-constrained, high-stakes environment).
Maybe you're drowning in meetings while your team struggles with unclear priorities. Or you have that one team member who drains everyone's energy, but you're not sure how to address it.
Leadership in higher education often means being caught between competing demands from above while trying to keep your team motivated and engaged.
You want to advance your career and create meaningful impact, but not at the expense of your values, your wellbeing, or your authentic self.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Hi, I’m Dr. Rachel Carpenter!
I bridge two worlds: the strategic rigor that leadership in higher education demands and the human-centered approach of strengths-based coaching.
With 23 years in student affairs and a doctorate in business and a concentration in management, I understand the unique challenges you face because I'm still living them as a sitting Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Evansville.
You don’t need to change who you are in order to be a better leader. My approach is centered in helping you lead from your authentic strengths while building teams where every member can contribute their best work.
What makes my leadership philosophy different
My coaching style is grounded in real leadership experience combined with a theoretical foundation for managers across industries . . . with specialized expertise in higher ed
My work is centered in the Strengths-based framework with the intention of honoring each person's unique contributions
I give you practical tools you can implement from day one of us working together
I firmly believe your professional and personal wellbeing go hand in hand . . . and my support style reflects that
How I Can Support Leaders Like You
Individual Coaching
Strengths-based leadership development focused on clarity, confidence, and authentic leadership presence.
Team Coaching
Transform team dynamics through improved communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding of each member's contributions.
Higher Education Consulting
Specialized support for assessment, culture development, onboarding processes, accreditation preparation, and leadership succession planning.
Retreats & Workshops
Customized experiences for higher education environments or any other organizational setting, designed to strengthen your team's cohesion and performance while aligning with your specific goals.
After working together, you’ll walk away with:
Clarity on your leadership strengths and how to leverage them effectively
Confidence to make difficult decisions and have challenging conversations
Tools for building trust, motivation, and accountability within your team
Strategies for managing up, across, and down in complex organizational dynamics
A sustainable approach to leadership that reflects your work-life “harmony” and doesn't sacrifice your wellbeing
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Dr. Carpenter’s experience as a higher education expert, Clifton Strengths coach, and leadership facilitator has always left my teams in awe after her engaging sessions.
I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Rachel Carpenter in a variety of capacities including strengths-based coaching, team development, and program assessment. She is an expert in learning what a team or individual needs most and creating a plan for helping reach those goals. Dr. Carpenter’s experience as a higher education expert, Clifton Strengths coach, and leadership facilitator has always left my teams in awe after her engaging sessions. I highly recommend working with Dr. Carpenter to bring your team to the next level!
VINNIE B
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I would highly recommend Rachel as a coach, facilitator, and trusted advisor.
Rachel is an exceptional leadership development partner who brings clarity, energy, and a deeply strengths-based approach to her work. She has a unique ability to meet individuals and teams where they are while helping them grow into what's possible. In our work together, she consistently translated complex challenges into practical, actionable strategies that led to meaningful progress. Most importantly, is that I always left conversations with Rachel extremely energized. I would highly recommend Rachel as a coach, facilitator, and trusted advisor.
JEFF D
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Dr. Carpenter helped me exponentially become more confident, self-aware, and empathetic to the strengths others possess.
Dr. Carpenter helped me exponentially become more confident, self-aware, and empathetic to the strengths others possess. She's a true superwoman at what she does and anyone who has the honor of working with her can say the same. She helps you recognize the amazing parts of yourself and how to grow while also keeping in mind where you may have some "blind spots". She is a true asset to any emerging leader.
Emiliana H
As a military kid who moved every 18 months, I learned early how to adapt, build connections quickly, and find strength in uncertainty. That resilience has served me well through 23 years of higher education leadership, from supervising front-line staff to serving on the president's cabinet.
My doctoral dissertation explored how effective leaders successfully incorporate team members others label as "difficult" — because I believe every person has unique talents worth honoring.
That philosophy drives everything I do: helping leaders create environments where all personalities and strengths can contribute productively.
When I'm not coaching or leading my division, you'll find me planning our next off-road adventure, including the extended travel experience my partner and I are planning for in 2030 along the Pan-America Highway — because life is too short to wait for "someday."
Let's Build Your Leadership Approach Together
Whether you're navigating your first management role or leading at the senior level, you don't have to figure it out alone. Let's explore how strengths-based coaching can help you lead with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity.