37 Students Selected for Clifton Builders Program at Nebraska

Institute Prepares Students to Impact Businesses, Teams and Communities

The Clifton Strengths Institute at Nebraska recently welcomed 37 new students into the Clifton Builders Program. The students learn how to build businesses, teams and communities while pursuing a Clifton Builders management major or minor.

The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln selected 37 students for the ninth cohort of the Clifton Builders Program.

Housed in the College of Business, the program brings together students with high leadership and entrepreneurial potential and develops them to lead high-performance teams. This year’s cohort brings strong executing and strategic-thinking talents and a diverse set of majors.

Shoppers interact with four Clifton Builders at the Builders Marketplace. — Students in the Clifton Builders program engage in specialized coursework that combines leadership development, entrepreneurial thinking and hands-on experiences like the Builders Marketplace.

“We use three words to describe the Clifton Builders: stretch, disrupt and transform,” said Timothy Hodges, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and assistant 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 sets students up for success from day one, according to Kaitlin Ferris, assistant director of the Clifton Builders Program, fostering a close-knit community that promotes partnerships, collaboration and networking opportunities. Students can declare either a Clifton Builders management major or minor and choose a track based on their interests in building businesses, teams or communities. They also work with a personal, Gallup-certified strengths coach to further develop into successful leaders.

“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.

Every Clifton Builder enrolls in the course Building a Life for Impact, where they gain an advanced understanding of management and consulting for organizations to help improve business outcomes and employee engagement in the workplace. Another class offers hands-on experience in 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 enables students to showcase and sell products they designed at a Builder Marketplace, with all proceeds going to a nonprofit of their choosing.”

Hodges shared how the program cultivates a winning mindset. After graduation, alumni have started their own businesses, pursued post-graduate degrees and worked for companies such as 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.”

The program selects students from any major in their first two years at the university, with courses beginning the following fall. Applications for the fall 2025 cohort are due by Oct. 18. To apply or learn more about the Clifton Builders program, click here.

The 2024 cohort of Clifton Builders are listed below by hometown with their major(s).

NEBRASKA

Elkhorn: Aboud Abdalhamid, business administration; Kyler Evans, finance

Falls City: Silas Amanullah, supply chain management

Fremont: Bailey Taylor, Clifton Builders management

Gretna: Tyler Hill, finance; Liam Hodges, economics; Noah Nordstrom, finance; Danika Temoshek, Clifton Builders management

Hershey: Brandy Bode, finance

Hickman: Sebastian Pucher, finance

Lincoln: Amer Ali, business administration; Johnny Liesveld, marketing; Amani Mfinanga, finance; Conner Miller, international business; Taylor Streich, Clifton Builders management; Logan Thurber, nutrition science; Ryshelle Trejo, marketing

Oakland: Ellen Magnusson, Clifton Builders management; Laughlin McNeill, business administration

Omaha: Connor Gharst, finance; Jacob Hyder, Clifton Builders management; Josh Rohrig, finance

Seward: Emilie Porter, business administration

Thurston: Alexis Bodlak, agricultural leadership, education and communication