• "You are the best consultant we've ever had, and we've had many."
  • "Thank you for taking on this project and for engaging it so thoughtfully and courageously."
  • "Thank you so much for everything that you have done for us. Not just with the VP search, but being there to listen as well."
  • "Your advice was incredibly helpful, and I left feeling clear about what I needed to say and do."
  • "Thank you for all your work on this, and your good advice. It is clear to me now that our conversation on Monday led me to the right decision. I appreciate your listening ear, discretion and expertise."
  • "You have made this so easy for me, thanks."
  • "You “get it” [the understanding of the co-curricular nature of student affairs in a liberal arts institution]."
  • "You are extraordinarily gifted [at search] – you're warm, know the institution; [you make candidates] want the job!"

Our Story

As a Vice President and Dean of Students at a highly selective liberal arts institution, Sherra H. (“Sherri”) Babcock, founder and principal of Project Partnerships, occasionally thought about how nice it would be to clone herself so that she could be in two places at once (particularly when one of those places would allow more direct contact with students).

Combining 22 years in education and a background in marketing consulting, she created Project Partnerships, designed to provide hands-on assistance to liberal arts and sciences institutions.

Since 2003, Sherra, through Project Partnerships, has served Presidents and Chief Student Affairs Officers as a trusted and experienced colleague, an occasional “extra” senior colleague who listens confidentially, provides guidance and insight, and makes achieving institutional goals a little easier, more timely, and more satisfying.

Since 2007, she has served as Vice President and Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. She continues to take one Project Partnerships assignment each year.

Contact Us

P.O. Box 6
Chautauqua, New York 14722
(512) 426-2410
deansherrab@gmail.com

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Our Experience

Sherra Babcock, Founder and Principal:
*More than a decade as Vice President and Dean of Students
*Specialist in student affairs transition
*36 years service to liberal arts higher ed: alumna, trustee, donor, parent, fundraiser, adjunct faculty
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What We Do

We specialize in student affairs transition and leadership. We review and advise student affairs departments, help with search, fill interim positions, help you initiate that project you've planned to start, provide research for that important presentation, coach an employee, or help staff develop new programs.

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How We Help

We listen to your needs and focus on your project. We determine a possible direction together and apply practical energy and a concentration we call “total immersion” to help you accomplish your goals.

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Specialty in Student Affairs Transition

Most liberal arts colleges are not staffed for major student affairs change without some internal disruption.

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Recent Assignments

We work with many different departments and internal organizations to provide the fresh perspective, experience based insight, and problem solving expertise required to move difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible problems forward to a successful resolution. Click "Read more" to see some examples of work we have done recently.

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