“Wellephant Co. is born of my desire to support those entering into the academic enterprise, mid-career academics positioning for promotion or advancement and folks searching for the exit, ready to make the transition to something new.”
Once upon a time, I was living out of my car, working at a gas station with the intention to stick around only long enough to put fuel in the tank. One night shift turned into 10 years of a rewarding career in retail management.
At a time when I was not ready or prepared to follow a traditional path, that gas station’s owner saw something in me and invested in my professional development. His company recognized my potential and allowed me to craft myself into a business leader with the confidence to succeed — on my terms, seeding an entrepreneurial spirit.
What I’ve learned from that experience is that I’m not always rule follower, and that’s ok. In fact, it’s my superpower.
Through this experience I built the confidence needed to chose to earn a BS in Human Development (while working full time and raising two small children as a single mother). The degree, combined with my management experience, scored me my first job in Higher Ed. It was a sweet gig, during which I earned a Masters in Library Science that opened up opportunities to move into the tenure ranks. It was only after I earned tenure that I earned my PhD (this time with a pretty cool partner, 3 additional kids and some grandkids sprinkled in for good measure).
Here’s the thing, Higher Ed is tough. You may have gotten a taste of that as an undergraduate student, you may know that because you went on to get a PhD or fought your way through tenure and promotion. Whatever level you are most familiar with, the system is challenging, and more than occasionally difficult to navigate.
I started Wellephant Co. as a creative lifeline.
I have managed through much trial and error to find success working in the academic landscape. A late-to-the-party, non-traditional academic I suppose my rebellious nature has worked in my favor as much as it worked against it.
Wellephant Co. is born of my desire to support those entering into the academic enterprise, mid-career academics positioning for promotion or advancement and folks searching for the exit, ready to make the transition to something new.
Wherever you are along the way, I hope to be of service to you on your journey…
Wellephant Co. 