Liena Vayzman

Holistic Dissertation and Creativity Coach

Liena Vayzman graduated cum laude from Vassar College in 1992 and completed the MA/PhD program in History of Art at Yale University in 2002. Her dissertation offered fresh readings of the photographic self-portraits of Surrealist artist and activist Claude Cahun. Liena has developed courses and taught at Rutgers, The New School University, City University of New York, and the Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to attending graduate school, Liena gained professional editorial experience working at Artforum Magazine and for independent book publisher George Braziller in New York.

Liena facilitated the Dissertation Writers' Group at Bluestockings Bookstore in New York, which led to starting her own dissertation coaching practice, Dissertation Diva Consulting, in 2003. A full-time professional dissertation coach, Liena works with clients from graduate schools such as Harvard, University of Chicago, and University of California, helping them to complete dissertations in a range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.

In addition to her academic career, Liena has cultivated a practice as a visual artist, earning the post-diplome at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Nantes (France) while on leave of absence from her PhD program. She is dedicated to fostering each client's individual creativity within and alongside the academic context.

Liena's coaching philosophy is informed by her ongoing training in Seido karate, yoga, and meditation. She believes in the balance of mind and body, encouraging clients to define and put into action this balance for themselves.

When not helping dissertation writers, Liena teaches in the California State University system.