The Middle Isn’t a Mess - It’s a Mission

Build confidence, clarity, and community as a campus leader navigating the most overlooked and impactful seat in higher education: the middle.

Gain the tools, presence, and support to lead with purpose even when you're managing people, policies, and pressure from every direction.

There’s a particular kind of pressure that lives in the middle.

As a “middle manager”, I often found myself translating big-picture goals into actionable plans ones my team could actually implement without compromising capacity or risking burnout and drops in productivity. I was managing people, juggling policies, responding to crises, and trying to keep one eye on strategy and the other on student experience.

Leading from the middle came with constant demands, and even with experience on my side, it was still a challenge to hold it all.

I cared deeply about getting it right, but I didn’t always feel like I was. I kept wondering: ‘Does anyone else feel this way?’

That question and the quiet leadership it represents is exactly why Leading In Between was created. This is the course I wish I had when I was trying to lead with purpose, clarity, and resilience in the middle seat.

Because while the middle might be messy, it’s also full of meaning. And you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Leading In Between: Confidence and Clarity for Campus Middle Managers

Leading In Between: Confidence and Clarity for Campus Middle Managers is a 12-week leadership development experience created specifically for higher education professionals who are leading from the middle between vision and implementation, people and policies, strategy and burnout.

Through a blend of self-paced modules, live coaching, and peer connection, you’ll gain practical tools, emotional support, and the mindset shifts needed to lead more effectively, sustainably, and authentically.

Strengthen executive presence

Communicate across levels

Gain clarity on your leadership strengths

Lead through change

Build resilience and boundaries

Reconnect to your leadership purpose and personal values

What's Included

Clarify Your Dream

Map your ideal career path aligned with your strengths

Analyze Your Strategy

Create your personalized job search action plan

Revamp Your Brand

Craft compelling resumes that get noticed

Elevate Your Presence

Build a LinkedIn profile that attracts opportunities

Engage Your Network

Master strategic networking that uncovers hidden jobs

Refine Your Interviews

Develop confident, compelling interview responses

Secure Your Future

Navigate salary negotiations like a pro!

Program Curriculum

True North

Reconnect to your values and leadership purpose

Magnetic Center

Strengthen management skills and influence

Forward Momentum

Lead through change and navigate conflict

Kate McCaffrey

Kate McCaffrey, PhD has been advancing leadership development, organizational growth, and personal transformation for more than twenty-five years.

She is the creator of virtual and in person leadership and team development sessions that include:
· Creating Team Synergy through Times of Transition

· Harnessing the Power of Intergenerational Workforce Dynamics

· From Priorities to Power: DiSC® Training for High-Impact Teams

Kate frequently facilitates workshops, trainings, and retreats for colleges, nonprofits, and leadership organizations across the country, drawing from her extensive experience as a former senior leader in higher education and as an executive coach committed to cultivating clarity, confidence, and impact.

Kate consults with institutions and organizations to assist them with leadership and strategy; workplace culture; team dynamics and change agility.

Paradigm Twist isn’t just about understanding change in organizations, it's about understanding how personal values, behaviors and approaches impact the success of change in organizations; one twist at a time.

Kate holds a PhD in Higher Education Leadership and Human Resource Studies, is the founder of Paradigm Twist Executive Coaching and Consulting, and is passionate about fostering communities where curiosity, courage, and connection thrive. In her free time, she enjoys exploring coastal towns, being the best Auntie and Grand Auntie she can be; spending time with her golden retriever Buckley Mac, and supporting leaders in shaping the future.

Kate’s mission is to help leaders and their organizations Lead Stronger and Change Wiser.

The Investment in Your Future

Ready to Lead with More Confidence, Clarity, and Courage?

You’re not just holding the middle; you’re holding it all together. But you don’t have to keep doing it on your own.

Join Leading In Between and give yourself the time, tools, and support you need to grow as a leader right where you are, with everything you already carry. This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about helping you lead it all with more ease, presence, and power.

Take the next step toward the leader you’re becoming.

Individual - Payment Plan

$500 x 3

Per person includes online learning modules and one hour per month in person group coaching and learning session

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Individual - Full Payment

$1299

Per person includes full access to all online learning modules, plus double the support with two hours each month of dynamic, in-person group coaching

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Group Training

Reach out to us for tailored pricing designed specifically for your group or organization’s unique needs

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What You Get:

The Leadership Studio — Flexible, self-paced online modules filled with practical lessons and reflection activities

Anchor Sessions - Live group coaching with a supportive cohort in a safe, facilitated environment

Alignment Sessions - Monthly 30-minute 1:1 coaching to help you refocus, reflect, and grow

Weekly Office Hours - Drop in for real-time support, thought partnership, or a quick reset whenever you need it

Power Hour - Weekly co-working space to focus, reflect, and make meaningful progress together

Downloadable tools, frameworks, and guided exercises you can put to use right away

FAQs

Is this experience right for me?

If you’re a mid-level leader in higher education whether you're new to the role or have been in it for years; this course was designed with you in mind. It’s especially for those who find themselves translating vision into action, navigating complexity, and seeking clarity and confidence in how they lead from the middle.

What’s the time commitment each week?

You can expect to spend about 1–2 hours per week engaging with the course. That includes the self-paced module, optional Power Hour co-working time, and our once a month live Anchor Session. You can go deeper if you'd like, but the course is designed to be manageable with a full workload.

What if I fall behind or can’t attend a live session?

No worries. All live sessions are recorded, and you’ll have access to everything in The Leadership Studio for six months. You can catch up, revisit, or go at your own pace. This course is here to support your growth, not add stress to your schedule.

When are the live sessions scheduled?

Anchor Sessions and Alignment Sessions will be held on weekday afternoons, with dates shared in advance so you can plan ahead. We also offer weekly office hours and co-working sessions, which are drop-in and optional. Our goal is to offer flexibility while still creating meaningful touchpoints.

What makes this course different from other leadership programs?

Leading In Between isn’t about adding more content to your plate, it's about supporting you where you are. It blends real-world leadership tools with reflection, coaching, and community in a way that honors both your professional goals and your humanity. It’s designed by someone who’s sat in your seat, understands your role, and knows what works.

Will I get one-on-one support?

Yes! Each participant receives a 30-minute Alignment Session every month for personalized coaching. You can also use weekly office hours for real-time support or thought partnership when something comes up.

How long will I have access to the materials?

You’ll have access to all course materials, including recorded sessions and downloadable tools, for six months after the program ends. That gives you time to revisit and apply the content as you grow in your role.

Do you offer payment plans or group pricing?

Yes. Payment plans are available at checkout, and we offer discounted pricing for institutions enrolling multiple participants. If you’d like to explore a campus cohort, reach out and we’ll make it easy.

Take the Next Step Toward the Leader You're Becoming

You’re already doing the hard and important work of leading from the middle. This course is here to support you - to give you tools, connection, and space to grow without asking you to be anyone other than who you already are. You don’t need to wait to feel ready. You already are.

Frequently Asked Questions