Coaching is the bridge between having the knowledge and having the degree
Our
company
A dedicated coaching practice focused on assisting students in completing their dissertation while fostering empowerment and resilience. Services are provided by a certified coach with a doctoral degree and a counseling background, combining personal experience with professional expertise.
Expert Coaching. Real Impact.
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Expert Coaching. Real Impact. 〰️
Personalized Coaching to Navigate Your Dissertation with Confidence and Clarity.
Recent studies show that nearly 50% of doctoral candidates never complete their degree, with the majority stalling during the dissertation phase. Lack of structured support and "mentor mismatch" are the leading causes of attrition. However, students who engage in professional coaching or structured accountability programs see completion rates jump as high as 76% - nearly double the rate of those navigating the process alone.
Why Use a Coach?
The numbers speak for themselves - in the current academic climate, the "sink or swim" model is failing students.
Completion Rates
Without Coaching: ~40-50%
With Coaching: ~75%+
Proposal Approval Rate
Without Coaching: 20-33%
With Coaching: Higher First Time Success
Don’t be a statistic. Be a graduate.
Our Services
Whether your staring at a blank page or drowning in data, I offer targeted support at every milestone.
What it is: A 55 minute, deep-dive session focused entirely on your current roadblock.
Why it's beneficial: Navigating a dissertation requires high-level decision-making. Research indicates that clear communication and regular feedback are the top preferences for successful doctoral candidates. These sessions provide the "expert sounding board" often missing in traditional advisor or chair relationships.
What it isn’t: This time is dedicated to whatever you want to discuss, however, it’s not as effective for reading and editing chapter content.
What it is: Moving from a general interest to a researchable, defensible problem statement in 55 minutes.
Why it's beneficial: Proposal approval rates can be as low as 20-33%. Starting with a rigorous, vetted topic saves months of "re-doing" work that your committee might otherwise reject.
What it isn’t: We use this time to ideate together, where I ask questions to help you narrow your topic and not tell you which topic to choose.
What it is: Expert guidance on aligning your research questions with your design (Qualitative, Quantitative, or Mixed Methods).
Why it's beneficial: Methodological errors are the #1 reason for "Major Revisions." I help you build a "cookbook" for your research that is replicable and robust.
What it isn’t: Anchoring on your research question(s), we discuss the best methodology and methods to answer your research questions, and not a time for me to “tell” you what to do based on my expertise.
What it is: Structural and stylistic editing to ensure your voice is academic, clear, and cohesive.
Why it's beneficial: A polished dissertation reduces the "revision fatigue" between you and your committee, accelerating your defense date.
What it isn’t: While I support your writing, I do not replace your editor. Using me as the first pass, as I know your topic and writing style, I can help you craft your draft before your editor takes the final pass.
What it is: On-demand support for those "emergency" moments when you’re stuck and can't wait for a scheduled meeting.
Why it's beneficial: Momentum is fragile. Having a coach "on call" prevents small hurdles from turning into weeks of procrastination.
What it isn’t: Just-in-time coaching allows you to gain access to me in a way in which your chair or committee members may not be, however, this is an opportunity to ask questions or need a dose of encouragement, but we don’t have time in these interactions to edit chapters or ideate.
What it is: Virtual "body-doubling" sessions via Zoom. I sit with you as you write, providing a structured environment for deep work and instant dialogic engagement.
Why it's beneficial: Research shows that accountability practices transform intentions into results by reducing "reactive goal adjustment" (lowering your standards when you feel tired). Students in accountability groups report higher satisfaction and a significantly higher "self-perceived ability to handle stress."
What it isn’t: Other services help you dive deep into many components of your dissertation, so we use this time to create accountability for your writing and not diving into ideation, methodology decisions and so on.
What it is: Your oral and final defense can be anxiety inducing, so let’s take the anxiety and turn it into excitement! In these sessions we follow your lead – do you need practice structuring your deck or prefer to do a practice run with me? We can tackle whatever you feel will be beneficial during this time together.
Why it's beneficial: Practice makes perfect. You’ll want to come prepared to not only present your research questions, but also your data, findings and recommendations. Being prepared to answer questions posed by your committee is another part of this step, and approaching your hearing or defense with confidence includes being prepared through practice.
What is isn’t: You’re the expert now! That’s why this isn’t an opportunity for me to write or create your presentation, but it’s an opportunity for me to support your presentation skills!
Meet your Coach
Nora Manz, M.A., Ed.M., Ed.D
I’ve been where you are. I know that the difference between a student and a doctor isn't just intelligence—it's momentum. My coaching practice is built on the belief that with the right scaffolding, every researcher can produce high-quality work without sacrificing their mental health.
Want to know more?
My passion for helping individuals reach their goals start as a child. I was born in Romania and immigrated to the United States as a child. I experienced and observed early on the challenges people had to overcome to reach their goals, which were exacerbated by lack of resources. This sparked my interest in helping individuals accomplish their goals through understanding their motivation, values, reason for goal completion.
My career spans working in higher education, L&D consulting, and designing and facilitating leadership development programs across higher education, pharma, biotech, medtech and the non-profit sector.
I’ve coached numerous students, served on numerous dissertation committees, and have taught qualitative research methods at the University of Pennsylvania.
Just as important, I am a mom of two teenage boys – John and Henry, and two Boxers – Tuck and Charlie. I love to cook, bake, knit, and exercise. Interesting fact – I dislike running, but to push myself, I registered for my first 5K in May. Wish my luck!
Education and Certifications:
Ed.D. - University of Pennsylvania - Chief Learning Officer
M.A. - Columbia University, Teachers College - Counseling Psychology
Ed.M. - Columbia University, Teachers College - Clinical Psychology
B.A.. - Alfred University - Psychology
Institute for Coaching Innovation - Certified Transformational Coach Professional
International Coaching Federation - ACC Credentials forthcoming (June 2026)
Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument Practitioner (2025 certification)
Behavioral Event Interview Practitioner (2022)
Packages we offer
Packages provide you with a robust list of services, bundled together to maximize your time and money. You can also add the a-la carte services to each package to extended the work we do together.
4 Weeks of Dissertation Coaching and Support
Designed for students who want to:
- make substantial progress in a short time
- get started on topic ideation or writing
- discuss single chapters
- receive support with committee feedback
- review and discuss coding
Includes: Weekly, 55 minute individualized coaching calls | Email Support | Personalized Action and Accountability Plan
3 Months of Intensive Dissertation Support and Coaching
Designed for students who want to:
- receive overall strategic support from conceptual and theoretical frameworks
- discuss and refine research topic, methodology and methods
- receive multi-chapter and ongoing review
- gain accountability for writing
Includes: Weekly, 55 minute individualized coaching calls | Email Support | Personalized Action and Accountability Plan | Just-in-Time Support | 1 Focus Time Session (accountability writing session)
6 Months of Intensive Dissertation Support and Coaching
Designed for students who want to:
- discuss and receive strategic support from conceptual and theoretical frameworks
- discuss and refine research topic, methodology and methods
- receive multi-chapter and ongoing review
- receive accountability for writing
- receive support with data analysis and coding
Includes: Weekly, 55 minute individualized coaching calls | Email Support | Personalized Action and Accountability Plan | Just-in-Time Support | 2 Focus Time Session (accountability writing session) | Oral Hearing Support or Final Defense Support
Reserve an appointment
Experience unparalleled excellence with our bespoke coaching services, designed to support your dissertation journey, from ideation to writing your last chapter. Schedule your appointment today and step into a realm of tailored support - this isn’t a cookie cutter approach, this is a tailored coaching session to help you finish your dissertation.
Choose the option that best suits your needs
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!