WU Coaching Program
Apply to be a WU Coach! Applications are OPEN.
Workshop U is looking for 12 or more life or career coaches (or professionals with basic coaching skills) who can each coach two young adult students during the 2025-2026 academic year. Coaches will meet with each student for up to two hours per month from December - June.
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Coaches can...
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a) Volunteer their time​
b) Be paid a small stipend so they can count paid hours toward ICF (re)accreditation.
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Timeline Overview
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Applications due: Rolling basis until September 26, 2025
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Interviews begin: September 8, 2025
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Training: Early December 2025 (virtual)
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Meet & Greet: December 11, 2025 (in-person)
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Coaching period: January - June 2026 (Jan and Feb in-person; March-May virtual)
Eligibility
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​Please read the following schedule requirements and qualification preferences to assess if you are eligible to apply. Thank you!
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1. Schedule Requirements
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Available to join a live, virtual preparatory training via the Zoom platform (date TBD -- most likely in the evening during the first week of December)
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Able to travel to and be present in-person for a "meet & greet" with staff and students on Thursday Dec 11 from 11-12:30 pm at our downtown Philadelphia campus (701 Market Street) -- this is a mandatory requirement so that students get the chance to meet their prospective coach (after which students will rank order their preferences for coaches to help us match students and coaches)
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Able to travel to and be present for in-person coaching on Thursdays from 11:30-12:30 pm (two half-hour sessions; two students -- one per half-hour) at the downtown Philadelphia campus (701 Market Street) for sessions on these dates: January 8 and 22, and February 5 and 19 – all onsite, in-person coaching - these four dates of in-person coaching are mandatory to establish rapport and continuity for coaching before shifting to virtual in March.
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Able to lead virtual coaching sessions by video platform (FaceTime, GoogleMeet, Zoom, etc) on Thursdays from 11:30-12:30 pm (two half-hour sessions; two students -- one per half-hour) for sessions on these dates: March 5 and 26, April 9 and 23, May 7 and 21 -- the latter four dates in April and May are during the student's internships. While the program will inform internship managers of the coaching commitment dates and times, there may be some exceptions when the sessions need to be scheduled at another time during those same weeks.
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2. Qualification Preferences​
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You have prior experience and comfort working with young adults age 18-24. This experience may have been through volunteer or paid work, or you may have served as a mentor.
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You have experience living in a large urban city (ideally Philadelphia).
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You have personally lived the experience of, or have a hands-on understanding of, the socioeconomic and racial discrimination faced by young Black and brown adults (who are the majority of Workshop U's student body).
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You are a professionally trained coach who is ICF accredited at the ACC level or higher, or have completed the Community College of Philadelphia's Professional Coaching Certificate program, or are a professional in the Philadelphia area with basic life or career coaching skills learned through volunteer or work experience.
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Not sure if your coaching experience is a fit or not? Please provide more details and we'll be glad to talk about your specific circumstance.
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What's provided
TRAINING: An overview of the Workshop U program to understand the coaching context, clarity on the expectations and scope of your role as a coach, and details on WU coaching philosophy materials. Additionally, this year we are adding a brief overview of trauma-informed practice led by one of the Workshop U founders with additional information on resources you can access on your own for further learning.
SUPPORT: Primary support is provided from our Director of Coaching, Erin Owen, who is an ICF MCC coach. Erin designed the original self-leadership curriculum used by Workshop U and provided coaching to all students in the original pilot year of the program. Erin provides coaching support to the Workshop U staff, and also leads coach check-in calls throughout the year and is available to answer any questions related to coaching. Additionally, you will be connected with at least one staff member who knows your students best, so you have someone to reach out to if a student is not communicating or showing up for coaching or if you have concerns about their well-being.
STIPEND or VOLUNTEER DOCUMENTATION: All coaches are provided with a $150 transportation stipend to cover costs related to coming onsite to our downtown Philadelphia campus (701 Market Street).
In addition, coaches may either volunteer their time or receive a stipend for their time. There are three categories as follows:
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Coaches who volunteer their time will be provided a letter documenting their volunteer hours.
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Coaches who wish to count their hours as "paid hours" toward ICF (re)accreditation may request a small stipend for their coaching time.
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Coaches who rely on coaching income as their primary source of income and require an hourly fee for coaching may apply for a select number of spots that provide a slightly higher rate of compensation
Stipend amounts for categories 2 and 3 will be discussed during the interview process for qualified coaches.
How to apply
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until September 26, 2025. Interviews will be conducted starting September 8th with eligible applicants.
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Please send an email to eowen@workshopu.org with the subject line "WU Coach Application" that includes the following:
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A cover letter that includes a description of why you are interested in this role and how you meet most or all of the qualifications we are seeking. ***Please confirm you are available for ALL scheduling requirements.*** Then provide details on how you meet the qualification preferences.
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A standard resume or link to your LinkedIn profile
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Email address and mobile number
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- Cyan (WU Student '23 -'24)
“The coaching is the highlight of my day. I’ve never really had a mentor like this before... somebody with real experience, with something under their belt, you know?
My coach pays attention and she cares. But it's all my goals. She’s just holding me accountable to my own. Coaching is like organization for my thoughts. If it's just me in my head it’s all so overwhelming, but after I talk with my coach I’m like, 'oh!' now I have something to go off of. ”
- Cyan (WU Student)
what do students say about coaching?
Meet our 2024 - 2025 Coaching team
Diana Waters
Diana has been the Faculty of Educational Leadership and Internship Supervisor for over 20 years. Her commitment is to social justice and transformative education. Her superpower is holding content and dynamic simultaneously for insight and action.
Mysheka Nelson
Mysheka Nelson is a leadership coach with six years of corporate experience, including international work in the Philippines and Guatemala. Mysheka helps business professionals, entrepreneurs, and young adults unlock their potential, overcome challenges, and lead with impact. With a passion for developing strong, effective leaders, Mysheka specializes in leadership coaching, training, and thought leadership to drive meaningful growth.
Andrea Chaney-Lawrence
With over a decade of experience working with young people, Dre is dedicated to empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. Having served in various leadership and administrative roles, she bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for guiding youth toward purposeful and fulfilling lives.
Dorris Proctor
With over 20 years of leadership experience, Dorris Proctor is a dedicated development coach specializing in empowering others to unlock their full potential. Credentialed through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Dorris combines proven strategies with personalized approaches to foster growth, resilience, and impactful communication skills in aspiring professionals. Passionate about nurturing talent, Dorris is committed to shaping the next generation of leaders.
Melody Mcbride-Bey
Coach Mel is a Philly native and a former teacher. Currently, she is a Training and Consulting Specialist, and she coaches and trains teachers and district leaders on positive behavior practices to implement.
Olivia Hawkins
With over two decades of experience in the business world, Olivia is a seasoned professional who combines her expertise with genuine coaching. Her motto "Love is Life’s Reward”, resonates in her dedication for teaching and fostering connections in order to achieve growth and improvement. Through her leadership, she empowers individuals to develop, operate, and excel independently or together towards shared success.
Cheryl Rice
Cheryl has over 22 years experience coaching people to be leaders in their own lives. She has graduate degrees in psychology and organization development as well as her ICF PCC. Cheryl also has a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology and founded a global program called the You Matter Marathon - no running required! She loves Philadelphia sports teams and dark chocolate.
Florence Mickens
Florence Mickens is the Manager for Policy and Operations for the American Board of Internal Medicine. Florence has been with ABIM since 2009. She was a member of the first graduating class of the Bodine HS for International Affairs. A former summer exchange student to Japan, Florence loves to travel, read mysteries and try new local restaurants.
Robin Wilson-Tolbert
Robin’s 25+ years of human resource and business experience spans many industries and functions, from the performing arts to healthcare; from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies, from talent acquisition to HR leadership. She has coached people across the globe at a variety of levels (new-grads to senior executives and entrepreneurs); and from many disciplines (technical to creative). She brings this expertise to her career coaching and consulting practice, where the focus is on YOU and YOUR definition of success.
Tammi Fleming
Tammi Fleming is an executive coach, strategist, and founder of Diamond Consultants, specializing in leadership development and organizational growth. With a background spanning nonprofits, philanthropy, and the federal government, they help executives enhance their presence, navigate transitions, and drive meaningful change.