I started this work because I've seen what happens when doctoral students don't have support.

As a faculty member at the University of Rochester, I watched smart, capable people stall: not because they weren’t ready, but because they were isolated, overwhelmed, and trying to finish a dissertation while living a full life. In 2014, I started running weekly accountability groups for my own doctoral students. The results were clear: structure, community, and consistent expert guidance changed what felt possible.

That model is the foundation of everything I do now.

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What I bring to this work

I hold a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and spent more than a decade as a tenured faculty member before stepping fully into coaching. I am a Fulbright Scholar with international research experience, and I have supported 85+ doctoral students across disciplines, career stages, and institutions. I currently work with universities and doctoral programs across the country as a dissertation coach and collaborator.

My approach is judgment-free accountability: expert support, real structure, and zero shame when life gets in the way. Because it will. And that has never once meant a student was not capable of finishing.

When students ask me about editing and formatting, I always recommend: Dr. Susanna Thornhill, a PhD-educated editor who specializes in helping doctoral students get their documents "ProQuest ready". You can learn more about her work at susannathornhill.com.

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Dr. Jayne standing behind 4 Penn doctoral students - all are wearing academic regalia

Want to see what's possible?

Read what students say about finishing their dissertations with support.

Read their stories