UO Peer Coaching Program

"As a faculty member who has engaged with the Peer Coaching program for several years, I have found it to be an especially rewarding opportunity to build meaningful one-on-one connections with colleagues across campus and learn from perspectives beyond my own department. I have also started adopting general principles of coaching when mentoring faculty and students that I work with outside of this program."

- Andy Karduna, Faculty, Human Physiology 

"I participated in the program both as a coach and coachee. It was my first experience with coaching, and here's how I would describe it: As a relatively new member of the University of Oregon, I found this program incredibly supportive. As a coachee, I had the opportunity to connect with someone who listened with empathy and without judgment. Those conversations helped me reflect on my well-being, prioritize self-care, and develop healthier ways of managing stress and anxiety. I was initially hesitant about participating in a coaching program, but it turned out to be a genuinely positive and meaningful experience. I would wholeheartedly encourage others to give it a try, regardless of where they are in their personal or professional journey. I would also be happy to participate again in the future, both as a coachee and as a coach."

- Ali Soken (he/his), Ph.D. Faculty Consultant, Teaching Engagement Program 

"Participating as a coachee in the Peer Coaching Program was a rewarding experience. I gained not only a valuable mentor who consistently challenged me to think differently and consider new perspectives, but also a friend. The program’s ability to connect colleagues across departments creates meaningful opportunities for growth and learning."

- Elizabeth Thorstenson (she/her), RLA, ASLA, Planning Associate – Historic Preservation, Campus Planning and Facilities Management

"I was a Coachee. The opportunity to interact and learn from a professional staff member is priceless. We followed the template provided by the organizers to initiate meaningful conversation, and that evolved into a thoughtful exchange of ideas.  My professional development has been positively affected forever by this relationship with a dedicated and truly inspirational Coach. Theadora Ko is a wonderful role model and now a resource available to me going forward. The Peer Coaching Program is an opportunity for growth and one that I look forward to participating in again as long as it continues at the University of Oregon.”

- Wes Estill, Trades Maintenance Worker 2, Intercollegiate Athletics

"I was a coachee & coach, and we decided to swap back and forth on who was coaching and who was being coached. As a newer employee, it was great to build relationships across with people who I wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise. I connected with both my coaching buddy and a woman I met in the initial coaching program introduction. Since we didn't work together, we could be more candid about our challenges on both a personal and professional level and gained insights about dynamics that differ across teams versus the way UO does things. I hope more people get to experience the value of this program."

- Ursala Garbrecht (she/her), Career Advisor, Lundquist College of Business, Mohr Career Services

"Being a coach in UO's Peer Coaching Program has been such a rich experience for me. It's meaningful to support someone else's growth and self-knowledge, while also feeling like I'm contributing in a small way to the overall strength and functioning of the university beyond my primary sphere of influence. It was so cool to see how my coachee gained confidence and clarity throughout our time working together."

- Sarah Stoeckl, Associate Director, Campus Planning & Facilities Management 

“As a coach, I love(d) the opportunity to connect with colleagues, to provide an opportunity for witnessing and reflection, and to be a part of a network of support across our institution. This program build a sense of community, belonging and both personal and institutional growth.”

- Abigail Leeder, Manager, Experiential Learning, Division of Equity and Inclusion