The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln selected 31 students for the 10th cohort of the Clifton Builders Program.
Housed in the College of Business, the program brings together students with high leadership and entrepreneurial potential to lead high-performing teams. This year’s group represents a wide range of majors and brings strong influencing and executing talents.
“We use three words to describe the Clifton Builders: stretch, disrupt and transform,” said Timothy Hodges, Joan Heiser Endowed Presidential Chair, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and associate professor of practice in management. “We are intentional about helping students stretch and develop their unique strengths. Builders disrupt the status quo and work to make it better. They also transform their lives and the lives of those they lead and serve.”
The cohort-based program builds a close-knit community from the start, according to Kaitlin Ferris, assistant director of the Clifton Builders Program. Students can declare a Clifton Builders management major or minor and select a track in building businesses, teams or communities. Each student also works with a Gallup-certified strengths coach to further develop as a leader.
“With a curriculum designed exclusively for our Clifton Builders, they gain the tools to develop as leaders and knowledge that will impact the growth and success of future organizations,” Ferris said.
Clifton Builders take courses such as Building a Life for Impact (MNGT 324B), which focuses on management and consulting skills to improve business outcomes and workplace engagement. Additionally, in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Organizations (ENTR 321B), students gain hands-on experience in marketing creativity, market analysis and entrepreneurship.
“Builders gain insight into real-world marketing creativity, market analysis and an insider’s view of entrepreneurial creativity within their Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Organizations course taught by Dr. Samantha Fairclough,” Ferris said. “A program highlight for many students, this class culminates in the Builder Marketplace, where students sell products they designed and donate the proceeds to a nonprofit of their choosing.”
Hodges said the program cultivates a winning mindset that continues after graduation. Alumni have launched businesses, pursued graduate degrees and joined companies including J.P. Morgan, Hudl, Gallup, Charles Schwab and Kiewit.
“We create experiences where our students interact with business leaders and each other as they develop their own perspectives and plans for the future,” Hodges said. “Our students gain confidence in who they are and what they can accomplish.”
Students from any major may apply during their first two years, with cohorts beginning each fall. Applications for the 2026 cohort will open later this fall and are due in February 2026.
The 2025 Clifton Builders cohort is listed below by hometown and major.
Nebraska
Fullerton: Jaxson Sullivan, junior marketing
Imperial: Mason Tyerman, junior marketing
Kearney: Claire Gangwish, sophomore Clifton Builders management
Lincoln: Hajer Al-Eid, junior Clifton Builders management; Mason Garcia, sophomore Clifton Builders management; George Kane, sophomore finance; Ainsley Scott, junior microbiology; Ellie Volk, junior advertising and public relations
Milford: Gavin Dunlap, sophomore finance
Neligh: Leonardo Luna-Duran, sophomore Clifton Builders management
Omaha: Courtney Carlson, junior accounting; Isabelle Johnson, sophomore international business; Blake Kahler, sophomore marketing; Ayden Longcor, sophomore finance; Jack Parr, sophomore finance; Jeremy Robson, junior biochemistry; Annabelle Roubal, sophomore business and law; Elijah Shaul, sophomore finance
Papillion: Isaac Lagman, junior marketing
Rising City: Aiden Zimmerman, junior finance
Seward: Matthew Wegman, junior accounting
Waterloo: Andreas Katsaounis, sophomore business administration
Elsewhere
Pasadena, California: Ava Lee, sophomore Clifton Builders management
Fortson, Georgia: Callaway Ward, sophomore Clifton Builders management
Ankeny, Iowa: Brooke O'Connor, junior Clifton Builders management; Carson Reznicek, junior data science
Bloomington, Minnesota: Jackson Donley, junior Clifton Builders management
Horace, North Dakota: Kennedy Colter, junior marketing
Harrisburg, South Dakota: Will Parsons, sophomore finance
Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Bernardo Lopes, sophomore economics
Bharatpur, Nepal: Deepesh Bhujel, junior economics
