Academic Transformations for Women, with Willo Boniface

Willo Boniface is the Founder & Lead Glower at The Transformed Academic, where she coaches and consults with women in higher ed who seek holistic, joy-filled lives. She considers herself a “recovered” academic and has rich insights into what women experience inside of higher ed, as well as practical approaches to finding balance and restoring their energy in a way that brings happiness to them and the people in their world. You can find her at The Transformed Academic on Facebook.

episode at a glance:

>>01:17. why I’m focusing on self-care for December’s episodes.

>>02:41. oh hey! check out The Professor is Out, a Facebook group for exiting and exiting-curious academics, as well as existing allies.

>>03:33. introduction to Willo Boniface the Director, Founder, and Lead Glower of The Transformed Academic.

>>05:31. Willo shares her journey from academic medical bionics to founding her own business — The Transformed Academic — which helps women in academia who are considering their options, and whether to leave, be whole during the process.

>>10:13. transforming yourself in higher ed means choosing yourself, something women aren’t taught or encouraged to do. Willo discusses why choosing yourself is so important, and shares her strategies for creating a joy-filled life by focusing on small moments.

>>15:20. Willo describes her path in higher ed, including what she loved and what prompted her to exit.

>>18:13. changing the culture of higher ed requires alleviating structural suffering. we change it by giving it airtime, and by supporting women leaders who can influence change.

>>19:46. a few ideas for email signatures that can support women’s choices to claim their time.

>> 23:48. some things women leaders can do to support their teams: removing work that can be considered inessential, and eliminate the expectation that women sacrifice other aspects of their lives in order to stay employed in higher ed. what would it mean for women leaders to refuse to normalize sacrifice?

>>31:00. willo ruminates on courageous leadership in higher ed and how leaders can step into that role.

>> 41:30. willo’s recommendations to make sustainable habit changes for our current and future selves. here are her signature “keystone habits.”

• prioritize yourself by moving your body outside, every day.

• set priorities by evaluating what you do set against what you want to be doing.

• set boundaries and get practiced at saying no.

• practice gratitude.

• use affirmations to deepen confidence and self-worth.

>> these don’t need to be additive: note that 1, 4, and 5 can all be happening together: go for a walk and express gratitude and practice affirmations while you’re walking. 🙂

part of winter break self-care can be establishing keystone habits so that when the busy-ness of the spring semester starts again, the habits are already in place.

readings and additional resources:

–find Willo on Facebook at The Transformed Academic: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetransformedacademic/

— check out The Professor is Out, a page hosted by Karen Chelsky, an academic career coach who calls herself “the available and career-savvy adviser you need, that you should already have, but probably don’t.” here’s the link to her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/professorisout. and here’s a link to her professional website, in case you’d like to stay and are seeking a coach to help you navigate the promises and perils of tenure: https://www.facebook.com/groups/professorisout.

— Willo mentioned “Quit Lit” – here’s an article to get you started if this genre is new to you.

— and don’t forget Rebecca Pope-Ruark’s new book Unraveling Faculty Burnout. as of the publication of this episode, the book is on sale at Johns Hopkins University press. just use the discount code HHOL22 in your cart.

happy rejuvenation and restoration!