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Student Strengths Coaches Selected to Boost First-Year Development

Student Strengths Coaches Selected to Boost First-Year Development
The new strengths coaches will join more than 20 returning coaches to mentor and coach over 750 first-year business students
The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business selected 58 new students to serve as student strengths coaches for the 2018-19 school year. The coaches will join more than 20 returning coaches to mentor and coach over 750 first-year business students in Professional Enhancement I Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111).
 
Required for all first-year business students, BSAD 111 aims to help students develop and apply their strengths to achieve individualized academic, personal and professional success using the CliftonStrengths® Assessment. During the course, coaches lead team meetings of up to 10 students once a week and facilitate two one-on-one strengths coaching sessions for each team member to help them recognize and maximize their potential. They also help facilitate discussions during class.
 
“Starting their college career by identifying their natural talents and strengths prepares our students to be successful. The individualized coaching helps them apply their strengths toward their goals to help reach their potential,” said Mark Pogue, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and assistant professor of practice in management.
 
Open to students from any college at Nebraska, prospective coaches complete an application and interview process. Once selected, they enrolled in the Strengths Coaching, Theory and Practice Training Course (MNGT 451/851), a three-credit-hour course focused on gaining functional knowledge in strengths-based development. The class helps coaches develop their unique talents to motivate and facilitate the growth and development of students they coach and lead.
 
“This new course allows strengths coaches to develop their talents and gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to be prepared when coaching their students in the fall to build lives of meaning, purpose and impact,” said Samantha Kennelly, Clifton Strengths Institute assistant director.
 
This year’s group of coaches boast diverse experiences, including 22 returning coaches, four seniors and three graduate students. Coaches stem from five different colleges at Nebraska, including 49 business students.
 
“We select students who have the passion and energy to positively impact the lives of others and the innate talent to easily connect and communicate with people to help guide their development,” Kennelly said. “First-year students thrive when our coaches recognize their unique potential and guide them to succeed by leading with their strengths.”
 
Student strengths coaches also gain professional development benefits throughout the process. During the eight-week course coaching freshmen, they gain skills leading and managing teams, and expertise in student development and positive psychology. 
 
To learn more about student strengths coaches and the Clifton Strengths Institute, visit: http://business.unl.edu/strengths.
 
The strengths coaches for the 2018-19 school year include:
 
NEBRASKA
Bellevue: Noah Hoefer, sophomore marketing 
Blair: Kylie Taylor, junior business administration
Cozad: Abbi Etherton, sophomore marketing 
Elkhorn: Brandon Lwin, sophomore business administration and fine and performing arts; Sarah Higgins, sophomore business administration
Fremont: Emma Karr, sophomore business administration; Reese Mumford, sophomore business administration
Grand Island: Mitch Fisher, sophomore marketing
Gretna: Lauren Leapley, sophomore accounting
Hastings: Zach Glass, sophomore business administration
Hebron: Collin Fink, sophomore marketing 
Lincoln: Jessi Atha, graduate student, educational administration specializing in student affairs; Alex Benson, sophomore actuarial science; Brady Conant, junior supply chain management; Julia DeLaRosa, graduate student educational administration specializing in student affairs; Jordan Heim, graduate student educational administration specializing in student affairs; Alexis Hruby, sophomore business administration; Mary Claire Johnson, sophomore psychology; Mikayla Mack, senior supply chain management; Elise Matthes, sophomore business administration; Macy Peregrine, sophomore management; Natasha Pierce, junior marketing; Christian Simmons, sophomore finance; Pat Srisa-an, senior economics; Atharva Tendle, junior computer science and economics; Sam Wolff, junior secondary education broad science; Keaton Fricker, sophomore business administration and finance
Omaha: Michael Beaulieu, sophomore business administration; Jacob Carter, junior actuarial science; Tyler Clark, sophomore management; Claire Deetz, sophomore business administration; Anna Dudziak, sophomore business administration; Audrey Erker, sophomore business administration; JoAnna Ferris, senior marketing; Tanner Fridrich, sophomore marketing; Jordan Gustafson, sophomore psychology; Kelsey Rodis, senior business administration; Carter Wilken, sophomore business administration
Papillion: Jake Litel-Smith, sophomore actuarial science and finance
Ponca: Alexis Anderson, sophomore accounting
Sidney: Samee Kaus, sophomore management and marketing 
Valley: Connor Castleman, sophomore management
Waverly: Christy Cooper, sophomore agricultural education and agricultural leadership
 
ELSEWHERE
Ames, Iowa: Ryan Blum, sophomore supply chain management
Centennial, Colorado: Trevor Maus, sophomore business administration and finance
Council Bluffs, Iowa: Alyson Lenz, sophomore marketing
Davenport, Iowa: Ally Behrens, sophomore business administration
Luverne, Minnesota: Ashton Krueger, sophomore undeclared
Olathe, Kansas: Lauren Niesen, sophomore actuarial science
Overland Park, Kansas: Ally Kiehn, sophomore business administration; Kenzie Mason, junior marketing; James Morrill, sophomore marketing; Alli Hunt, sophomore international business
Rhinelander, Wisconsin: Gunnar Millot, sophomore marketing
Saint Paul, Minnesota: Charlie Kramer, sophomore actuarial science
Savage, Minnesota: Brendan Stahl, sophomore business administration
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa: Bre TenHulzen, sophomore marketing, graphic design and Spanish
South Hutchinson, Kansas: Jessica Fairbanks, sophomore accounting and marketing
Published: March 16, 2018