Our Team
Dissertation Success Institute has been coaching doctoral students to help them finish their dissertation and earn their doctorate. Our team of dissertation coaches is available to help you overcome any and all of your research obstacles. With over 50 years of research experience, we are adept at handling any challenges you face with your research studies, industry data analysis, survey research, journal articles, theses, dissertations and program evaluation.
Our program is unique because of our one-on-one, personal, unlimited dissertation coaching that is custom tailored to your personal needs. We start our process with our free strategy call where one of our coaches talks with you about your current status, topic, methodology, chair, committee, timeline, objectives, and the challenges you face in finishing your dissertation. We carefully consider all those factors and provide you with a personalized recommendation for you to finish your dissertation and graduate.
The Dissertation Success Institute was founded in 2013 by a university professor that recognized the need for high quality yet affordable resources for doctoral students. Since then, we have expanded our team of coaches providing comprehensive one-on-one private coaching to dissertation students.
All of our PhD coaches have earned their doctoral degrees. They currently serve as university professors, researchers, consultants, and more. Most have served as a chair or member of a doctoral committee. Below you will find a brief bio for some of our coaches.

Dr. Tessa
VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Tessa is a former dissertation boot camp client who has served as an educator, coach, athletic director, dean, school board member and a San Jose State University master teacher for their secondary level credential program. Her research interests include the examination of teacher attrition issues, effective administrative support practices, and the evolution of induction/mentor programs. She earned an EdD from Northcentral University, MA in Counselor Education from San Jose State University, and BA in Communication Studies from San Diego State University.

Dr. Tara
Dissertation Coach

Dr. Mike
Dissertation Coach

Dr. Debra
Dissertation Coach
Dr. Debra is a research methodologist with extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research design. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed academic articles, book chapters, and books while also a popular public speaker at academic and industry conferences such as Disrupt HR, OPEX Week Business Transformation World Summit, and the Faith at Work Summit. Dr. Dean worked in corporate America for 25 years and now serves as an adjunct professor who teaches: Quantitative Research Methods, Descriptive Analytics, Managing Business Analytics, Corporate Ethics and Data Policy alongside Leadership Analytics.

Dr. Tracie
Dissertation Coach
Dr. Tracie earned her Master’s degree in 2004 from UW Milwaukee with a focus in Exceptional Education and an EdD from Grand Canyon University conducting qualitative research focused upon Organizational Leadership in grades K-12. Professionally, Dr. Tracie was the only teacher in Wisconsin to be appointed to the National Education Commission and has served as a key coordinator for a Special Education program in a college-prep charter school through the end of the fall 2020 semester. Currently, Dr. Tracie serves as the Director of Academic Programs in an Arizona charter school while also continuing to write for a local newspaper in South Carolina.

Dr. Maja
ENROLLMENT COACH
Dr. Maja James is a University of South Carolina graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Business with an emphasis in Finance. She also has a Masters in Business from the University of Phoenix and a Doctorate in Business with an emphasis in Human Resources from Northcentral University. Maja works as a Senior Human Resource Manager/HR Business Partner for a major Paper Packaging company and has been in the HR industry for over 20 years. Maja serves as an adjunct professor for both Beulah Heights University and Centralstate University. She is also a contributing writer for Bibs & Business Magazine. As a former client of the program, Dr. Maja is passionate about sharing her own experience and encouraging dissertation learners to stay focused on their goals.

Dr. Laura
COMMUNICATIONS AND WRITING COACh
Dr. Laura is a professional dissertation editor, word nerd, and grammar cop who pays attention to every phrase, every comma, and every margin. In addition to a PhD in Forensic Psychology from Walden University, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and an MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She is an Associate Professor of English, Psychology, and Sociology at Colorado Technical University.