Agile and flexible leadership in higher education is vital due to the sector’s dynamic and ever-changing landscape. Leaders need to adapt to shifts in student demographics, technology, and expectations about the role such institutions play in society today. These leaders must balance meeting the needs and interests of students and faculty, innovate to modernize their teaching methodologies as technology and artificial intelligence rapidly evolve, strategically manage resources against changing priorities, all while keeping their institutions current, competitive, and capable. All of this requires dynamic and confident leaders who can navigate uncertainty to shape the new paradigm of higher education.
In this webinar, we will offer our perspectives on the unique challenges that higher education leaders face today, particularly in leading within student affairs, as well as a new way to think about developing these leaders to dynamically lead their institutions into the future.
Learning Objectives
- Gain insights into building a culture of care, coaching, and inclusion.
- Understand how leadership development can address burnout and enhance leadership skills.
- Learn about the partnership with Sounding Board and its tailored coaching approach.
- Discover the measurable impact of coaching on staff and student well-being.
Earl Cabellon
Director of Staff Experience & Culture | University of Maryland
Earl serves as the Interim Director for Staff Experience and Culture within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. In this capacity, he is instrumental in formulating and executing a comprehensive vision, strategy, and direction that serves more than 1,500 full-time and part-time employees within the Division of Student Affairs. His leadership aims to create a vibrant, inclusive culture that fosters talent acquisition, development, and retention.
Initiating his professional journey in 2004, Earl joined the University Recreation & Wellness, where he held diverse roles. His responsibilities spanned facility management, designing training and development programs for student employees and full-time staff, and contributing as a senior leadership team member.
An academic at heart, Earl holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s degree in Recreation Administration from Bowling Green State University. Adding to his multifaceted skill set, Earl is also a certified professional coach, accredited through the Co-Active Training Institute. He is currently on the pathway to becoming an Associate Certified Coach, a distinction conferred by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Originally hailing from Rhode Island, Earl has made Maryland his home for nearly two decades. He happily married Angela Lagdameo Cabellon, a University of Maryland, College Park alumna. Together, they are the proud parents of their son, Elijah, who they hope will carry on the family tradition as a future Terrapin.
Mary McGuinness
Director, Coach Guidance & Development | Sounding Board
Mary McGuinness, M.Ed, PCC is a certified evidence-based leadership and executive coach, and director of coach guidance and development for Sounding Board. Mary currently oversees the mentorship and learning and development for a global network of leadership coaches responsible for delivery of coaching to develop the world’s most impactful leaders.
Mary has over 20 years’ experience directing workplace initiatives and developing leader and employee programs to create coaching cultures that improve collaboration, heighten employee engagement, and equip people to better navigate through the change, transitions, and challenges that arise in organizational life.
Mary has been coaching individuals, groups and teams across all sectors. Her coaching is deeply rooted in a respect for individual values, beliefs, and cultures. She easily navigates the “big picture” strategy conversations as well as those thorny day-to-day issues that all leaders encounter, whether they are first-time managers or senior executives.
