The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln selected 39 students from seven states for the 2026 cohort of the Clifton Builders Program.
Housed in the College of Business, the program brings together students with high leadership and entrepreneurial potential to develop their strengths and create positive change. This year's cohort represents academic interests ranging from finance and marketing to biological sciences, pre-nursing and construction management.
“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 Ethan Carlson, assistant director of the Clifton Builders Program. Students can declare a Clifton Builders management major or minor, select a track to build businesses, teams or communities, and work with a Gallup-certified strengths coach.
“Through three cohort-exclusive classes, these emerging leaders learn how to put their ideas into action and support one another as they create change in their circles of influence, now and into the future,” Carlson said.
In the course Building a Life for Impact (MNGT 324B), students develop management and consulting skills to improve business outcomes and workplace engagement. Students take Organizational Behavior (MNGT 360B) together to round out their expertise in effective management and leadership. In Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Organizations (ENTR 321B), students explore entrepreneurship, marketing creativity and market analysis while developing products to sell at the annual Builder Marketplace.
“For many students, the Builder Marketplace is a program highlight because it is their first opportunity to develop an idea, create a prototype and launch a product,” Carlson said. “They gain experience they can build on as they pursue future opportunities while seeing how businesses can make a difference in their communities by donating the revenue they generate to a nonprofit of their choice.”
Alumni launch businesses, pursue graduate degrees and join companies including J.P. Morgan, Hudl, Gallup, Charles Schwab and Kiewit. Students and alumni connect each year at the institute's Global Builder Summit.
Students from any major may apply to the Clifton Builders Program during their first two years at Nebraska, with new cohorts beginning each fall. To learn more, visit business.unl.edu/builders.
The 2026 Clifton Builders cohort is listed below by hometown with their current class standing, based on credit hours earned in school, and academic major(s).
Nebraska
Elkhorn:
- Mia Deleidi, Junior, Marketing
- Kelly Knutson, Junior, Business Analytics and Finance
- Mason Newman, Junior, Economics, Finance and Spanish
Grand Island:
- Brady Douglass, Sophomore, Economics and Finance
- Madeline Tompkins, Junior, Clifton Builders Management and Marketing
Gretna:
- Wesley Burns, Sophomore, Finance
Kearney:
- Devin Anderson, Sophomore, Clifton Builders Management
Lincoln:
- Jackson Figard, Junior, Management and Marketing
- Easton Gubbels, Junior, Accounting and Finance
- Elijah Harris, Junior, Accounting and Finance
- Morgan Sobotka, Junior, Business Analytics and Finance
Milford:
- Dominick Roth, Sophomore, Marketing
Oakland:
- Bailey Pelan, Junior, Pre-Health
Omaha:
- Violet Crawford, Junior, Management
- August Cripe, Sophomore, Marketing
- Jackson Hall, Junior, Accounting and Business Analytics
- Tucker Ingram, Sophomore, Accounting and Finance
- Madison Jensen, Junior, Clifton Builders Management and Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management
- Michael Jones, Sophomore, Finance and Management
- Thomas Kaplan, Sophomore, Clifton Builders Management
- Blake Keifer, Sophomore, Construction Management
- Caroline McDonald, Sophomore, Business and Law
- Gus Neary, Sophomore, Agribusiness
- Parker Thornton, Junior, Accounting
- Aedan Underwood, Junior, Finance
- Allison White, Sophomore, Broadcasting and Sports Media and Communication
Papillion:
- Mason Schroeder, Sophomore, Accounting and Business and Law
- Rachel Vrable, Sophomore, Finance
Roca:
- Tanna Petsche, Junior, Marketing
Waterloo:
- Chelsea Mahloch, Sophomore, Clifton Builders Management
Elsewhere
Chicago, Illinois:
- Noelle Dadian, Sophomore, Management
- Emily Rue, Sophomore, Management and Marketing
Oswego, Illinois:
- Amelia Perley, Junior, Accounting and Finance
Plainfield, Illinois:
- Ryan O'Connor, Junior, Accounting and Finance
Overland Park, Kansas:
- Emilie Strobl, Junior, Accounting
West Fargo, North Dakota:
- Gabriella Sturlaugson, Sophomore, Marketing
Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
- Halle Karmazin, Junior, Biological Sciences
Roanoke, Texas:
- Emma Pinney, Junior, Business Analytics and Finance
Grafton, Wisconsin:
- Isabella Pitre, Sophomore, Business Analytics
