Thrive PhD’s core values

  • a lot of information about academia is hard to find. i want to make it easier for people to find useful information about how being a scholar works, and not gatekeep the most effective tools and strategies behind a paywall.

  • a lot of advice boils down to “this worked for me, therefore, it works” and that can feel alienating when it doesn’t work for you. i want to present different strategies and frameworks, along with why and how they work, so you can decide what you want to try.

  • a lot of us were drawn to this work because we liked the routine and structure of coursework, classes, and seminars. i want to provide containers for you - time set aside, spaces to gather, resources to use - so that you can have more space to show up and do your work as a human and a scholar.

  • at the end of everything, you live in your life. i trust you as the expert, in all things - we start from what you tell me about your life, not from where i think a client should start. this is not one-size-fits all coaching - this is me working with you, in your world.

  • when academia fails, scholars suffer - and the world loses untold potential good from losing their work and their voice in the academy. i see my job as supporting scholars so they can do their work, and help better our world.

i’m dr. katy peplin

i started Thrive PhD in 2017 because i had to work hard during grad school, and i wanted to help build the academic experience i needed.

i was a first generation graduate student, going home from her first day of orientation and googling “what is tenure?”, happily signing up for program after program because i loved school and wanted to teach. so it is no wonder that my doctoral program was a crucible. it forced me to come to terms with my mental health, my chronic illness, my values as a scholar and as a person, and what i wanted for my future…all while i was supposed to be teaching, researching, and writing a book. i came out of that process with a degree, a whole host of new skills, and an undeniable passion for making the road easier for everyone else coming behind me.

Thrive PhD has grown from me informally mentoring friends and acquaintances to a business with clients all over the world, in all disciplines, working with nearly 500 people in my coaching practice and community, and reaching many more with my free offerings like AcWriMo, the podcast, and the blog.