The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Clifton Strengths Institute recently selected 45 undergraduate students as strengths coaches for the 2022-23 academic year. Alongside returning coaches, they mentor approximately 1,000 new students in the College of Business course Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111).

As a required course for all first-year business students, BSAD 111 empowers students to delve deep into their top strengths from the CliftonStrengths® assessment and teaches them how to apply their natural talents across academic, personal and professional experiences.

“Students receive frequent feedback during their first few weeks on campus that informs their identity,” said Timothy Hodges, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and assistant professor of practice in management. “Our focus in BSAD 111 is to ensure that our new College of Business students receive positive feedback, with an intense focus on helping the students build their character and reach their potential. The CliftonStrengths assessment and our time in class gives students a good foundation, but the most impactful development often happens when they meet one-on-one with our amazing student coaches.”

Strengths coaches accepted into the program enrolled in Strengths Coaching, Theory and Practice (MNGT 451) this spring. The class functions as a training course for new student strengths coaches, providing an in-depth knowledge of strengths-based development and enhancing the skills necessary to succeed in positively impacting student development.

“The course guides students toward deeper knowledge of self, intentional connection and strengths-based conversation to support College of Business students as they begin their college experience. Our coaches truly generate impact by identifying, celebrating and encouraging the talents of first-year students,” said Taylor Lofdahl.

Representing 20 majors and varying levels of involvement across campus, student coaches bring their experiences into each coaching session to help foster an inclusive environment for new business students to grow in and be set up for success. The MNGT 451 course helps coaches lean into their distinct coaching style. 

“The best part about coaching is the range of successful techniques, practices and styles that exist. Each new coach engages in course discussions, coaching conversations and reflective exercises to identify the unique talents that drive their success as a coach. Each coach develops their own coaching philosophy and style and have the opportunity to grow with and learn from their students as they discuss well-being, engagement and goals for their time at Nebraska,” Lofdahl said.

Student strengths coaches play a key role within the college, striving to bring out the best in people and maximize their talents at the university where strengths-based psychology originated through the work of Dr. Don Clifton ’48, ’49, ’59 & ’90. Clifton, who developed the CliftonStrengths assessment, asked the question, “What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than fixating on what is wrong with them?”

“Great coaches ask great questions. Our student strengths coaches serve our mission by investing in the growth and development of students throughout the College of Business,” said Hodges.

To learn more about strengths coaches and the Clifton Strengths Institute, visit: https://business.unl.edu/strengths.

The new strengths coaches for the 2022-23 school year, with their year in school in the spring 2022 semester and academic major(s), are:

Nebraska
Beatrice: Avery Plessel, freshman marketing major

Brule: Rachel Orth, sophomore biological sciences major

Columbus: Simon Schumacher, freshman business administration major

Grand Island: Kelly Solis, freshman business administration and management major

Holdrege: Carly Janssen, sophomore marketing major

Leigh: Cassidy Hoffman, freshman accounting major

Lexington: Chris Dominguez, sophomore finance major

Lincoln: Anna Coffey, freshman finance major; Nicole Davis, freshman business administration major; Addison Priess, freshman business administration major; Cora Scott, freshman nursing major; Jacob Vanderford, sophomore sports media and communication and music major

Nebraska City: Ellie Higgins, freshman secondary English language arts education major

Omaha: Hannah Coldiron, freshman business administration and biochemistry major; Naomi Delkamiller, freshman journalism and advertising and public relations major; Alex Kiihne, freshman finance major; Olivia Palmer, freshman marketing major; Adella Smolsky, junior management major

Springfield: Liz Iverson, junior marketing major

Stapleton: Hannah Burnside, freshman child, youth and family studies major

Wahoo: Emily Obert, junior management major

Waverly: Lindsay Rickers, freshman marketing and Clifton Builders management major

Elsewhere

San Francisco, California: Julia Kiehn, freshman economics major

San Luis Obispo, California: Alexis Haas, freshman management major

Tehachapi, California: Z Gividen, sophomore marketing major

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Penh Pheak, freshman international business major

Longmont, Colorado: Jordan Westenbroek, freshman business administration major

Berthoud, Colorado: Ellie Dodd, freshman management major

Denver, Colorado: Ellie McWhirter, sophomore nutrition, exercise and health science major

Council Bluffs, Iowa: Haedyn Jorgenson, freshman advertising and public relations major

Glenwood, Iowa: Erin Stanley, junior marketing major

Ellicott City, Maryland: Rachel Van Osdel, sophomore finance major

Delano, Minnesota: Gabby Paskach, junior marketing major

Edina, Minnesota: Lucia Golfis, sophomore Clifton Builders management major

Lakeville, Minnesota: Sophie Thomas, freshman marketing major

Savage, Minnesota: Kelsie Caven, sophomore Clifton Builders management major

Shakopee, Minnesota: Carly Gorter, freshman business administration major

Lee's Summit, Missouri: Jack Kemper, freshman business administration major

Kansas City, Missouri: Makena Cornelius, freshman supply chain management major

Lake Winnebago, Missouri: Sophie Brendel, sophomore Clifton Builders management major

Sandy, Utah: Carlie Davis, freshman management major

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Linh Tran, sophomore marketing major

Appleton, Wisconsin: Kaitlyn Pope, sophomore finance major

Grafton, Wisconsin: Kate Aleknavicius, freshman management major

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin: John Trilling, freshman business administration major