Student Strengths Coaches Selected at Nebraska

46 New Peer Mentors to Make Positive Impact on First-Year Business Students

The Clifton Strengths Institute at University of Nebraska–Lincoln introduced 46 students as the newest cohort of student strengths coaches. Students provide one-on-one coaching to new College of Business students in Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111).

The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln recently named 46 students as strengths coaches for the 2024-25 academic year. The new cohort, along with more than 100 returning coaches, will mentor nearly 1,000 new College of Business students in the Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111) course this fall.

Required for all first-year business students, BSAD 111 teaches students how to excel using their natural talents, learned from taking the CliftonStrengths® assessment. Student strength coaches support and guide new students’ development as they learn to leverage their top strengths.

“A student's college experience can be the most transformative years of their life, especially during times of life transitions and self-discovery. Within the College of Business, students have the opportunity to identify their natural talents and dive into the qualities that make them unique. Focusing on their strengths, along with their student strengths coach's guidance and support, sets students up to be successful and more confident throughout their college careers,” said Alyson Lenz, assistant director of the Strengths Program.

The program requires all new coaches to enroll in Strengths Coaching, Theory and Practice (MNGT 451) this spring, where they learn about strengths-based development and techniques to maximize individuals’ potential. These skills are used to make positive impacts within the college, community and in their professional careers.

"Our student coaches play a pivotal role in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of students' unique talents. They possess a passion and energy for investing in others, cultivating trusting relationships and empowering students to excel, leaving a lasting impact beyond the classroom," Lenz said.

As the student coaches navigate learning how to facilitate classes and conduct strengths-based conversations, each new coach also receives personalized guidance from experienced student mentors.

"We believe prioritizing investment in these new coaches' development is essential. This mentorship ensures they are well-equipped to effectively support first-year students while remaining authentic to their unique approach and coaching philosophy," Lenz said.

The new student strengths coaches represent six colleges across campus, including business. Among them is Grace Timm, sophomore agribusiness major from Chappell, Nebraska. Her studies are largely in the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences with aspirations to attend law school, but her involvement in the Clifton Strengths Institute allows her to build up others.

“As a student outside of the College of Business, I always wondered what opportunities I could have experienced as a freshman, especially through the BSAD 111 class. I've realized I can still make an impact and find those opportunities through student strengths coaching. Seeing what drives other people and pushing them to reach their passions and goals has always been something that comes naturally to me, and I'm thrilled to continue nurturing the next generation of leaders, achievers and doers,” she said.

The newest cohort of strengths coaches for the 2024-25 school year, with their year in school in the spring 2024 semester and academic major(s), are:

Nebraska

Bassett: Gracie Swanson, freshman accounting

Blair: Kendra Loseke, junior agricultural leadership

Chappell: Grace Timm, junior agribusiness and pre-law

Elkhorn: Kylie Eads, sophomore marketing; and Gabriel Edstrand, freshman business administration

Garland: Katherine Lewis, sophomore management-human resources

Grand Island: Caden Keller, freshman accounting and finance; Claire Kelly, sophomore elementary education; and Taylor Mazour, freshman actuarial science

Gretna: Liam Hodges, freshman economics

Hastings: Lindsay Amaya, freshman international business; and Charli Coil, freshman accounting and pre-law

Kearney: Ceci Henning, freshman business administration

Lincoln: Zainab Al-Jayashi, freshman psychology and multi-ethnic studies; Kyra Boesiger, junior marketing and Clifton Builders management; Grace Fahleson, junior sports media and communications; Cooper Finnegan, freshman business administration; Jackson Griesch, freshman finance; Tate Hughes, freshman business administration; Tenley Katt, junior finance and biochemistry; Johnny Liesveld, freshman marketing; Emersyn Liljehorn, sophomore Clifton Builders management; Megan McCormick, freshman finance; Amani Mfinanga, junior finance; Brooklyn Shotkoski, freshman biochemistry; Katy Taylor, freshman actuarial science; and Kylie Wray, freshman biochemistry

Oakland: L.J. McNeill, freshman business administration

Omaha: Lauryn Christensen, sophomore international business and pre-law; Delaney Cutler, junior biology; Michelle Montenegro, freshman advertising and public relations; Natalie Moore, freshman business administration; Amanda Smolsky, junior marketing; and Ella Stine, sophomore advertising and public relations

Papillion: Andrea Boslaugh, sophomore marketing

Pender: Lexi Bodlak, sophomore agricultural communications

Raymond: Larkin Barry, freshman marketing

Schuyler: Niurka Castro, freshman accounting

Wahoo: Danielle Blum, sophomore graphic design