Impact of Coaching in Organizations

Since 2023, ICF Virginia’s Ignite program has partnered with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to provide pro bono professional coaching to more than 115 faculty, staff, and administrators through a NOVA Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing (OEWW) initiative. Over 50 ICF Virginia members have generously volunteered their expertise to help NOVA employees achieve their professional and personal goals, empowering these individuals to lead regardless of their role in the organization. 

The initiative’s success is reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who report improved focus, confidence, effectiveness, wellbeing, and goal achievement—individual benefits that positively impact student success. This year’s participants shared that coaching helped them organize their thinking, reframe challenges, improve time management, and gain self-awareness and confidence. Many described feeling happier, less stressed, and more focused in their roles, and strongly recommended the program as a valuable investment in personal and professional growth.

2023 Photo

Pictured Left to Right: Suzanne Currier, PCC,  ICF Virginia President 2025-2026, Stephanie Brown, PCC - ICF Virginia President, 2023- 2024, Dr. Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer, Northern Virginia Community College, Dr. Diane Mucci, Provost, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus , Charlotte M. Calobrisi, Associate Vice President, Northern Virginia Community College

These outcomes reflect what NOVA hoped to achieve through this effort. As Dr. Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer at NOVA, shared: “We wanted to offer the coaching program to employees because we recognize the power of the coaching experience to inspire individuals to maximize their personal and professional potential. At OEWW, our approach is grounded in the belief that employee success is student success. When faculty, staff, and administrators are healthy, confident, and well-resourced, they create an environment that fosters student achievement and models wellness. That’s why we partnered with ICF Virginia to bring the evidence-based benefits of coaching to our community.”

This partnership began when NOVA President Dr. Anne Kress learned about ICF Ignite’s mission and its potential to support faculty, staff, and students. Under the leadership of Dr. Henry-Tett and Jessamyn Ayers from NOVA’s OEWW, and in collaboration with ICF Virginia leaders Alexa W. Beavers, PCC, PMP; Stephanie Brown, PCC; and Heather Dias, ACC, the program has grown steadily after three successful cohorts and continues to thrive. This year’s program attracted over 70 applications for 40 slots.

In 2024, NOVA was awarded the ICF Virginia Coaching Excellence Award (Emerging Organization category), celebrating its innovative coaching initiative that promotes the value of coaching, fosters community, empowers employees, and forges collaborative partnerships to support workforce development. This recognition underscores NOVA’s commitment to creative, forward-thinking approaches to professional development, holistic wellbeing and student success.

About:

Northern Virginia Community College is one of 23 institutions within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), governed by the State Board for Community Colleges. Since its founding in 1965, NOVA has been a leader in providing world-class education at an affordable price. As the largest supplier of talent in Northern Virginia and one of the largest community colleges in the United States, NOVA serves over 73,000 students and employs over 3,000 faculty and staff members. Committed to equity, affordability, and excellence, NOVA transforms lives through its higher education and workforce programs, driving opportunity and success within the community. The NOVA Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing (OEWW) furthers this mission by fostering partnerships and initiatives that support employee wellness and personal & professional growth, exemplified by its collaboration with ICF Virginia. 

International Coaching Federation, Virginia Charter Chapter (ICF Virginia) is a professional coaching organization and a state chapter of the International Coaching Federation - a global non-profit organization of over 60,000 members that advances the coaching profession by setting professional standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. Founded in 1995, it offers resources, education, and professional development opportunities to coaches and organizations, with a mission to promote coaching excellence and its value worldwide.  ICF Virginia founded in 2002 is a not for profit, 501(c)6, state-wide organization of nearly 600 members who are certified and credentialed coaches by the International Coaching Federation.