Laura M. Coleman (she/her) is the Director of TC NEXT at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she spearheads the strategic vision for student and alumni professional development. She leads a multi-functional team dedicated to scaling career impact through strengths-based coaching, robust employer partnerships, meaningful on-campus employment opportunities, and integrated digital systems, ensuring TC talent is both market-ready and connected to global industry leaders.
Laura’s expertise is built on years of leadership in career services, enrollment management, and alumni relations. This broad perspective allows her to navigate the complexities of the student lifecycle with a unique, holistic lens. A frequent speaker on graduate student career pathways and higher education sector transitions, she is an active member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and serves on the Executive Committee of the Columbia University Graduate Career Collective.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University and a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology & Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where her research focused on the motivations behind adult continuing education. Beyond her professional work, she is a gardener, weightlifter, and theater enthusiast who loves spending time with her favorite humans and pets, and occasionally escaping the concrete jungle of New York City for the mountains of Denver, Colorado.