client testimonials
Our clients have shared their experiences working with Dr. Scott Mickelsen and the team at New Heights Consulting. From innovative projects in agriculture and youth empowerment to transformational leadership in education, our mission has always been to drive meaningful impact.
here's what our clients and partners have to say:
tom marks
One of aMerica's leading sales & marketing thought leaders
I’m not certain how long I’ve known Scott Mickelsen but it’s been somewhere since the turn of the century. We worked together, fabulously I might add, on a first of its kind 2-year dairy academy that had never been offered to college students in the U.S. — perhaps the world.
This was innovation at its finest and Scott led the way with terrific insights, comprehensive relationship building among diverse public and private sectors, and proven leadership skills that overcame the typical budget, timing, and the usual cavalcade of doubters, delivering a first in the nation academic institute that was nothing more than conceptual at first blush. Yes for certain, we have a true leader in Dr. Scott Mickelsen.
john hawkins
sVP at cardworks
I had the privilege and honor of meeting and working with Scott earlier this year. From the very first minute I met him, I was truly impressed and amazed at the high caliber of leadership he demonstrated.
I do an exercise with leadership teams where I have the leader write down his vision and then I have the team write down the vision (as they understand it) of the leader. We then have a simple "YES/ NO" response system in which the people read their understanding of the leaders vision and a panel of people then say "YES" or "NO" as to whether it matches the leaders vision. This is a powerful way to quickly analyze the health, direction and potential long-term output of a team.
Scott's team was the first team I worked with that we had the entire team receive an unanimous "YES" regarding their understanding and alignment with Scott's vision. This is important because a team that pulls together, and has the same vision, has a tremendously high degree of success! It is also fantastically unique as I have done this exercise with over 150 corporate, higher education and organizational teams and never had a team be as in-sync to this degree so early in the process.
Scott's leadership skills translates into specific, measurable results in increased enrollment, improved student and faculty morale, and continuing to grow positive influence in the local community, state and nation as a result of the success of the students at Dawson Community College.
He is an incredible leader who knows how to get results while growing and developing his team on a daily basis. He understands that true leaders replicate other leaders and demonstrates that through his consistent successes in a variety of environments. He truly is the epitome of leadership excellence in today's challenging environment. Higher Education systems everywhere would benefit tremendously if we had more leaders in the market place like Scott!!!
Keep up the good work Scott!!! The world needs more servant leaders like yourself, who build more GREAT leaders capable of achieving GREAT things in our world!!! Thank you for setting the bar of excellence so high!!!
SCOTT SCHWAB
TECH ENTREPRENEUR | TEDX SPEAKER
Scott Mickelsen, is an out of the box thinker and progressive leader. As an educator he is flexible in his approach to blend industry and tried and true best learning practices- to bring students the most of their education. As a leader he rallies community, business, and experts to create the ideal scenario for growth and innovation.
THERESA GUTSCH
HIGHER EDUCATION MANAGEMENT
Scott is a very compassionate and caring manager. He is a true team player and a leader. Scott has expertise in collaboration, strategy, brainstorming and networking. I would recommend Scott as a colleague and professional.
KELLY LA VENTURE
FULLBRIGHT SCHOLAR | AUTHOR | PROFESSOR
I am writing in support of Scott Mickelsen, former Dean of Agriculture at Northcentral Technical College. In the role of Faculty – Coordinator of Organizational Development for the college, I worked closely with Scott on several projects during his tenure at NTC and I am in a good position to evaluate Scott’s accomplishments, capabilities, and leadership contributions from an organization development perspective.
Scott’s passion and experience working with students is the cornerstone of his success in higher education. Scott is exceptionally qualified to engage, enhance, and make a difference in the lives of students. Not only does Scott personally provide a lasting impact on students, he makes an impact through the teams he works with. His team building, conflict management, people management and communication skills are outstanding, an ideal platform for a successful leader.
Add to all this that Scott is a very congenial person, well liked by colleagues, students and community members, and you will see why I am so positive about this recommendation for Scott Mickelsen.
JEFFERY LATO
ACCOUNTING CONTROLLER AT USTA FLORIDA
I had the privilege of working with Scott as he was a volunteer for the Samoset Council, Boy Scouts of America. Scott led by example and demonstrated his expertise of project management and leadership with his many hours of volunteer service to the youth in Scouting. Scott was also an influential member of the Executive Board of Directors as Chairman of various Council Committees.
Dr. David Gurchiek
consultant, podcast host
Scott is one of the best academic leaders that I had the privilege of working with when I was a college dean.
john bole
quality assurance unit director at wyoming department
of corrections
Leadership must take many forms as it moves through the various challenges that it encounters. It must be static where stability is the need yet dynamic when the need is for flexibility. It must see individual needs while maintaining a view of organization mission. The leader must be prepared to stand alone while standing with his/her team. Sandburg's description of Lincoln as a man of steel and velvet seems to communicate the leadership I have experienced while serving with Dr. Mickelsen.
I have seen his servant heart and his mission mindset. I have experienced his drive for excellence balanced by his open connection to people. Scott displays a balance that educational leadership demands. His connection to students is authentic and his commitment to institutional integrity is profound.
Scott is a leader...plain and simple.
KEVIN MARTIN
STUDENT ADA-504 COORDINATOR/ADVISOR
I would recommend Scott for any higher education position. At NCTA, Scott was known as an honest, straight shooting administrator whose concerns for staff and students were greatly appreciated. Scott's love for anything and everything agriculture was a shining light for this campus, and his efforts to improve and expand our college were outstanding. Scott always had time to talk, always valued your opinion, and always put people first.
BRYAN THAYER
'HELPING YOU STAND OUT AND BE UNFORGETTABLE'
Scott Mickelsen knows how to raise the performance of any organization. I have known Scott for more than two decades. You will not find a more honest and ethical person. You will not find a more servant leader.
DOUG SMITH
DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF AGRICULTURE | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Scott is student focused, goal oriented individual who can wear many hats effectively. He has a good report with the student population and interacts with the faculty well. He possesses many leadership qualities that make a great Associate Dean for us at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.
BETH ELLIE
DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
As Dean of Agriculture Sciences at Northcentral Technical College, Scott shared the vision and laid the groundwork for the Agriculture Center of Excellence--a unique collaboration of partners in the agriculture industry, government and education. The center is a working dairy farm allowing dairy science students the opportunity to learn by doing. To move the center from concept to reality Scott worked with the NTC staff and agriculture industry to cultivate large and small donations for the farm. Donations included money to purchase land, build facilities and buy cows. Machinery and robotic milkers were donated by industry partners. All said, more than $11 million was donated to support the creation of the Agriculture Center of Excellence. These donations would not have been possible without having a solid vision to share with donors.
AARON COUCH
As a student, I worked with Scott within Student Senate at NCTA. I also have worked with him in other areas concerning improving and bettering the college.
Scott is a tremendous asset to NCTA. His morals show through his dedication to his coworkers and the students. A true leader listens and also follows and as Scott succeeds in his position at NCTA, it is evident that he is a true leader.
