39 Clifton Builders prepare to impact businesses, teams, communities

Thirty-nine University of Nebraska–Lincoln students in professional attire pose for a group photo west of Howard L. Hawks Hall.

Kimberly Smith | Business

The Clifton Strengths Institute at Nebraska recently welcomed 39 students into the Clifton Builders Program. Through hands-on learning, strengths-based coaching and leadership development, students prepare to build businesses, lead teams and strengthen communities.

The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has selected 39 students for the 2026 cohort of the Clifton Builders Program.

Housed in the College of Business, the program brings together students with high leadership and entrepreneurial potential to develop their strengths and create positive change. This year’s cohort hails from seven U.S. states and represents academic interests ranging from finance and marketing to biological sciences, pre-nursing and construction management.

“We use three words to describe the Clifton Builders: stretch, disrupt and transform,” said Tim Hodges, Joan Heiser Endowed Presidential Chair, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and associate professor of practice in management. “We are intentional about helping students stretch and develop their unique strengths. Builders disrupt the status quo and work to make it better. They also transform their lives and the lives of those they lead and serve.”

The cohort-based program builds a close-knit community from the start, according to Ethan Carlson, the program’s assistant director. Students can declare a Clifton Builders management major or minor and choose a track based on their interests in building businesses, teams or communities. Each student also works with a Gallup-certified strengths coach to further develop as a leader.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln students sell Husker-themed clear bags at a table in the Hawks Hall atrium. — Clifton Builders sell products they developed during the annual Builder Marketplace.

“Through three cohort-exclusive classes, these emerging leaders learn how to put their ideas into action and support one another as they create change in their circles of influence, now and into the future,” Carlson said.

The 2026 cohort of Clifton Builders, listed alphabetically by hometown with their academic major(s), is:

Nebraska

Elkhorn:

Mia Deleidi, junior, marketing
Kelly Knutson, junior, business analytics and finance
Mason Newman, junior, economics, finance and Spanish

Grand Island:

Brady Douglass, sophomore, economics and finance
Madeline Tompkins, junior, Clifton Builders management and marketing

Gretna:

Wesley Burns, sophomore, finance

Kearney:

Devin Anderson, sophomore, Clifton Builders management

Lincoln:

Jackson Figard, junior, management and marketing
Easton Gubbels, junior, accounting and finance
Elijah Harris, junior, accounting and finance
Morgan Sobotka, junior, business analytics and finance

Milford:

Dominick Roth, sophomore, marketing

Oakland:

Bailey Pelan, junior, pre-health

Omaha:

Violet Crawford, junior, management
August Cripe, sophomore, marketing
Jackson Hall, junior, accounting and business analytics
Tucker Ingram, sophomore, accounting and finance
Madison Jensen, junior, Clifton Builders management and hospitality, restaurant and tourism management
Michael Jones, sophomore, finance and management
Thomas Kaplan, sophomore, Clifton Builders management
Blake Keifer, sophomore, construction management
Caroline McDonald, sophomore, business and law
Gus Neary, sophomore, agribusiness
Parker Thornton, junior, accounting
Aedan Underwood, junior, finance
Allison White, sophomore, broadcasting, and sports media and communication

Papillion:

Mason Schroeder, sophomore, accounting, and business and law
Rachel Vrable, sophomore, finance

Roca:

Tanna Petsche, junior, marketing

Waterloo:

Chelsea Mahloch, sophomore, Clifton Builders management

Elsewhere in the U.S.

Chicago, Illinois:

Noelle Dadian, sophomore, management
Emily Rue, sophomore, management and marketing

Oswego, Illinois:

Amelia Perley, junior, accounting and finance

Plainfield, Illinois:

Ryan O'Connor, junior, accounting and finance

Overland Park, Kansas:

Emilie Strobl, junior, accounting

West Fargo, North Dakota:

Gabriella Sturlaugson, sophomore, marketing

Sioux Falls, South Dakota:

Halle Karmazin, junior, biological sciences

Roanoke, Texas:

Emma Pinney, junior, business analytics and finance

Grafton, Wisconsin:

Isabella Pitre, sophomore, business analytics

In the course Building a Life for Impact (MNGT 324B), students develop management and consulting skills to improve business outcomes and workplace engagement. Students take Organizational Behavior (MNGT 360B) together to round out their expertise in effective management and leadership. In Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Organizations (ENTR 321B), students explore entrepreneurship, marketing creativity and market analysis while developing products to sell at the annual Builder Marketplace.

“For many students, the Builder Marketplace is a program highlight because it is their first opportunity to develop an idea, create a prototype and launch a product,” Carlson said. “They gain experience they can build on as they pursue future opportunities while seeing how businesses can make a difference in their communities by donating the revenue they generate to a nonprofit of their choice.”

Alumni have launched businesses, pursued graduate degrees and joined companies such as J.P. Morgan, Hudl, Gallup, Charles Schwab and Kiewit. Students and alumni connect each year at the institute’s Global Builder Summit.

The program is open to any student in their first two years at the university, with courses beginning the following fall. Learn more.