At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where strengths-based psychology began, the Clifton Strengths Institute (CSI) in the College of Business has spent the past decade helping students discover, develop and apply their natural talents. During that time, thousands of students, faculty and staff across campus and beyond have learned to use their strengths to excel in college, careers and life.
“College is one of the most transformative times in a person’s life and for good reason,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “It’s a time of self-discovery and growth, and our college helps students uncover their natural talents and lean into the qualities that make them stand out.”
Over the last 10 years, CSI has guided more than 10,000 business students through the Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111) course. All first-year business students complete the CliftonStrengths® assessment to uncover their top five strengths and receive personalized, peer-to-peer coaching from trained student strengths coaches.
“Every business student receives individualized coaching from peers who care deeply about their development and well-being,” Farrell said. “Our coaches bring passion and energy to building relationships and helping students be at their best.”
More than 450 students across campus have served as strengths coaches since CSI launched. Once selected, they complete Strengths Coaching, Theory and Practice (MNGT 451), learning how to help others maximize their potential through one-on-one and group coaching. Many graduate with more than 100 hours of coaching experience.
Jack Parr, an economics and finance major from Omaha, Nebraska, became a strengths coach after his own coach made a lasting impact.
“Amani Mfinanga not only taught me what my strengths meant and how I could use them, but also helped guide me through my first semester of college,” Parr said. “His mentorship was invaluable, and I was inspired to help others the same way.”
Results show the power of this work as 92% of BSAD 111 students say the program increased their confidence. Gallup research also finds that people who focus on their strengths are 12% more productive and three times as likely to report an excellent quality of life.
“The long-term success of our students is the measure of our program’s success,” Farrell said. “We prepare students not only for their first job but for a lifetime of leadership and impact.”
Stretching Strengths Across Campus
Each year, CSI leads more than 60 workshops for faculty, staff and student organizations across the university, helping participants discover their strengths, enhance team culture and improve performance.
In January 2025, 31 faculty and staff completed a weeklong training to become Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches, joining more than 100 certified coaches across campus.
“Many participants were in student-facing or leadership roles and wanted to help others develop their potential,” said Tim Hodges, Joan Heiser Endowed Presidential Chair, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and associate professor of practice in management. “By expanding the number of Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches across campus, we’re strengthening a culture that values what’s right with people.”
University Housing and Dining Services earned the institute’s inaugural Strengths Partnership Award in 2023 for creating strengths-based teams among resident assistants. Executive Director Lucas Novotny said earning Gallup coaching certification will help scale that success.
“I learned more about CliftonStrengths and saw the benefits for our resident assistants and residents and what it can bring to the student experience at Nebraska,” Novotny said.
This fall, CSI expanded its reach through a new collaboration with the College of Education and Human Sciences. First-year students there now complete the CliftonStrengths assessment and receive personalized coaching from CSI-trained student coaches.
“We’re preparing future teachers, health care providers and community leaders, and this is a powerful first step for them,” said AnnMarie Gottner, senior director of student services. “The Clifton Strengths Institute’s decade of experience gives us a strong foundation to build upon.”
Extending Strengths Beyond Nebraska
CSI’s influence now reaches far beyond campus. In 2024, it partnered with the Ikigai Knowledge Institute to launch the IKI Fellows program, a leadership initiative connecting entrepreneurial, purpose-driven students with senior industry leaders from across the nation. The program, grounded in the Japanese concept of ikigai (a sense of purpose), helps students align their strengths with meaningful impact.
The inaugural cohort consisted of 12 students from the institute's Clifton Builder program. The first of its kind, Clifton Builders are entrepreneurial-minded students who learn how to transform their talents into tools for real-world impact. Choosing to major or minor in Clifton Builders Management, Builders tackle challenges, develop recommendations, and present solutions to organizations through hands-on experiences, such as a project with the IKI.
“CliftonStrengths identifies and develops individual talents, while ikigai aligns passions, skills and purpose,” Hodges said. “Together, they create a powerful framework for purpose-driven leadership.”
That same global mindset guided a group of business students who traveled to Malaysia in March 2025 for the course Strengths in a Global Context: Exploring Malaysia (MNGT 398). They led strengths-based coaching workshops at four partner universities, sharing what they’ve learned about leadership and self-awareness across cultures.
“These Huskers weren’t just talking about strengths. They were helping students uncover a part of themselves they didn’t know was there,” said Chenxiang “Andy” Zeng, ’18, international recruitment specialist. “One student shared that he had always seen being an introvert as a flaw, but through the workshops, he realized it was actually a strength.”
Looking Ahead
As the CSI marks 10 years of impact, its mission remains clear: to help people recognize and use their unique talents to thrive.
“Our work starts with helping students understand their strengths,” Hodges said. “But the ripple effect reaches classrooms, teams and communities across the world. That’s what a decade of strengths-based impact looks like, and we’re just getting started.”
