Coaching Bio

Dr. Steven K. Mickelson

Dr. Steve Mickelson is driven by a lifelong passion to help people excel, professionally, personally, and within the communities they serve. As a natural maximizer, Steve is at his best when helping capable people move from good to exceptional, gaining clarity around their calling and aligning their work with what matters most.​

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He holds three degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University. He worked briefly in the fluid power industry before returning to the academic world. He successfully moved through the tenure process and became a strong leader. His teaching focused on engineering design, engineering computer graphics, soil and water conservation engineering, engineering problem solving, and engineering curriculum development. His research focus area was in development and assessment of agricultural best management practices for improving water quality. He also conducted scholarship of teaching and learning.  

Steve spent nearly forty-four years at Iowa State University mentoring and coaching faculty and staff across disciplines and career stages. His work focused on strengthening teaching effectiveness, removing barriers to research productivity, and helping faculty build sustainable systems that support both performance and well-being.​

Over the course of his career, Steve served in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Chair for Teaching, Director of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Co-Director of Learning Communities, Department Chair, and Senior Advisor to the Senior Vice President and Provost. These roles gave him a rare, inside view of academic culture, evaluation systems, and the challenges faculty face at every stage of their careers, from early-career uncertainty to senior-level leadership and legacy-building.

​Today, Steve brings this depth of experience into his faculty coaching practice. He offers a confidential, supportive partnership where faculty can think clearly, set meaningful goals, and move forward with intention, grounded in the realities of academic life.​

Steve is professionally trained and certified in CliftonStrengths (Gallup), CoreClarity, MBTI, Working Genius, TKI Conflict Resolution, DiSC, The Coach Mindset, and The Five Behaviors. More important than any credential, however, is his genuine commitment to helping others do their best work and flourish in their roles.​

Outside of coaching, Steve enjoys working in his garden, singing in a quartet, golfing with friends, and spending time with his family, activities that reflect his belief in a well-lived, well-balanced life.