A Husker legacy from Kearney, Nebraska, Carter Goff built a strong foundation in leadership at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln through distinctive academic programs, competitive internships and strengths-based development. A finance major and member of the Clifton Builders Program, he mentored others while preparing for a purpose-driven career after graduating in May.

“Both my parents and my brother are Nebraska alumni, which definitely influenced my decision to become a Husker,” Goff said. “I ultimately chose finance because of its versatility. I enjoyed math and keeping up with the stock market, but I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do after graduation.”

One of the pivotal moments in Goff’s academic experience came through the Investors With Purpose (IWP) program, an elite course connecting high-achieving finance students with investment and finance professionals. Funded by Nebraska alumnus Doug Waggoner, '75 & '77, through the Douglas and Karin Waggoner Family Foundation, the course is taught by Richard DeFusco, department chair and professor of finance, who helped develop the curriculum.

“It’s an incredible program that helped me learn more about Wall Street and the broader finance world,” Goff said. “Doug Waggoner is a big advocate for Nebraska students, and he and Dr. DeFusco invited highly successful guest speakers from firms like D.A. Davidson, J.P. Morgan and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. to present on topics from private equity and venture capital to endowments and personal finance.” 

Through the program, Goff was selected for a prestigious internship with the University of Nebraska Foundation investment team. Under the mentorship of Chief Investment Officer Brian Neale, he gained hands-on technical experience and meaningful insight into values-driven institutional investing.

“Meeting with clients and attending Markets Group Real Estate Symposium and Wharton Kellogg CIO Summit with other CIOs from across the country was impactful,” said Goff. “There were other Master of Business Administrations students, but the two other interns from Nebraska and I were the youngest people in the room, gaining insight from respected investment professionals who work on Wall Street.”

Neale said the goal of the foundation internships are to provide students with real-world opportunities to connect their academic learning with practical experience. He also wanted to show students the importance of networking.

“Carter came in eager to learn, genuinely interested in finance and committed to building relationships. He excelled during the internship and made the most of every opportunity to connect,” Neale said.

Goff also tackled real business challenges through the Clifton Builders Program, a selected group of students learning to build businesses, teams and communities. He created and sold products at the Builders Marketplace and consulted with local companies about workplace culture. He further explored the concept of purpose as one of the nine Clifton Builders named IKI Fellows, traveling to Seattle for the IKIGAI Summit to explore the Japanese philosophy of ikigai.

“With a strong commitment to personal and professional development, Carter continuously seeks ways to learn, grow and connect with others. He excels at understanding group dynamics and following through on his commitments,” Kaitlin Ferris, assistant director of the Clifton Builders Program. “Highly involved across campus, he brings a positive, motivating presence. As a Clifton Builder, he has honed his strengths and is clear about the value he adds to teams. With a strengths-based mindset and diverse campus experiences, Carter is well-prepared for life after graduation.”

Mentored by faculty including Varkey Titus Jr., Amy and J. E. Van Horne Jr Chair and associate professor of management, Goff also developed a thoughtful approach to entrepreneurship and leadership.

“Carter listened and reflected on the material in the class and contributed insightful and thoughtful comments based on carefully thinking through issues,” said Titus. “He has the combination of intellect and thoughtfulness, and I’m excited to see his bright future unfold.”

His commitment to mentorship and research came together through the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE) program, where he partnered with Lindsay Hastings, Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research and research director of NHRI, to study the long-term and short-term effects of leadership mentoring. As a teaching assistant in Interpersonal Skills for Leadership (ALEC 102), Goff facilitated conversations among other NHRI mentors. He also mentored a middle school student who is now a freshman at Lincoln High School.

“These experiences helped me develop critical thinking skills, leadership abilities and a greater understanding of the power of mentorship,” Goff said.

He also completed internships at Nelnet and Kiewit, gaining exposure to different areas of business and reinforcing his appreciation for Nebraska’s purpose-driven business community. After graduation, he plans to return to Kiewit to work full-time in corporate accounting at the company's Omaha office.

“It’s a huge honor to graduate from Nebraska," he said. "UNL offers so many ways to grow, and the relationships and opportunities I found here have shaped my path in ways I never expected.”