Dr. M.L. “Cissy” Petty

Executive Coach

Dr. M.L. “Cissy” Petty is an experienced senior executive leader in higher education, as well as a committed, conscientious leadership coach and consultant. Cissy leads with expertise, authenticity, curiosity, confidence and acknowledges the lessons learned by being wrong! She consults around the culture of work, leadership vulnerability, owning mistakes and accepting achievements equally. She has a keen understanding and experience with strategic planning, unit reorganization, talent identification, leader development, and creating diverse and inclusive teams. Most important, is the capacity to create and build and a strong foundation for student engagement which leads to a campus that values connectedness and belonging. Cissy will stress a combination of working hard, smart and recharging as the keys to leadership longevity and success.

Cissy has a Ph.D. in Higher Education from The Florida State University; was selected for a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship as the Upsilon Nu Chi Distinguished Scholar in Counseling at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro; the Harvard University Senior Institute for Higher Education Management, Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Board Certified Coach (BCC), Executive Leadership Coaching certification, Georgetown University.