Meet Dr Holly Halmo (Ed.D.)
With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Holly brings a dynamic blend of leadership, empathy, and research expertise to Grad Coach. Holding an EdD and two master’s degrees, her academic grounding in the humanities and library science, combined with hands-on experience supporting thousands of students make her a highly adaptable and insightful coach.
Holly’s approach is grounded in structure, reflection, and momentum. She combines deep pedagogical knowledge with a warm, motivational coaching style to help students navigate the complexities of academic research. Whether guiding thesis development or advising on research design, Holly empowers learners with practical skills and strategic support.
Quick facts
- Supported approaches: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods
- Favourite collection methods: Interviews, surveys and archival research
- Analysis specialities: Narrative analysis, descriptive statistics and thematic coding
- Research interests: Educational technology, leadership, change management and organizational theory
- Favourite software: Excel, Tableau and Qualtrics
Experience
Holly has held senior leadership roles in higher education, including her current position as Senior Director of Student Success Strategic Operations. Across her career, she has spearheaded academic advising systems, implemented retention strategies, and led institutional adoption of research-based tools. Her experience spans coaching, academic program management, and direct student support, giving her deep insight into what students need to thrive. She also serves as a library trustee and has coached graduate students through research, writing, and revision processes independently.
Qualifications
Holly holds an EdD in Leadership and Innovation from New York University (2025), alongside an MA in Humanities and Social Thought (Gender Politics) and a BA in History. She also holds an MS in Library and Information Science from Long Island University, strengthening her expertise in deep research, literature reviews, and academic resources. Additional certifications, such as a Scrum Product Owner, Public Librarian, and Personal Finance for Educators, reflect her interdisciplinary skillset.
Holly’s rich academic and professional foundation allows her to support students through every stage of the research journey with clarity, care, academic rigour, and just the right amount of humour. Holly believes that every student deserves not just to learn, but to thrive.
Want to work with Holly?
Book a no-obligation consultation with Holly to discuss Private Coaching.